Evening star., 1907-08-25

operations of the various bureaus, depart
ments and divisions during the preceding
year with recommendations for such addi-
tional facilities as are regarded as indiSpen-
sable to good service.
Not that it is intended by the department
to silence criticism. That is always well
come if its object is sincere, but these
criticisms it is held. should be set out in
special reports to the general staff. or to
the head of the War Department. not for
the purpose OF publication. but for the in
formation of the officials who are in a posi-
ton to correct the evils complained of. AS
a matter of fact, it is said that experience
has shown that most of the matters of
complaint. where the complaints are really
well founded. are sure to receive careful
attention without any outside promptings
at the hands of the army officers detailed
as inspectors, who. by reason of their
broad military education and qualities of
observation, are particularly well fitted to
point out the defects in the army organiza-
ton.
Transformation of the Panther.
In tow of the Lebanon, the naval trans
port Panther is being taken from the
League Island navy yard to the New York
yard, where she is to be transformed into
floating machine shop and repair vessel.
to accompany Admiral Evans on his cruise
with sixteen battleships around South
America to the Pacific coast. She will be
thoroughly fitted out with implements for
completing all necessary repairs that can
be mad to vessels at sea, and for which it
is unnecessary to repair to the navy yards.
The Panther has had rather interesting
history, and formerly belonged to the
Marine Corps. She was probably the first
vessel that was sent to Cuba at the break
ing out of the Spansh-American war, and
carried a large number of marines who
were landed at Guantanamo which has
since been made naval base for United
States men-of-war. Soon after embarking,
the marines from the Panther became in
volv2d in a fight in the bush with the
enemy who had oppos ID their landing and
galantly distinguished themselves by their
admirable discipline and excellent work.
Qualified for Medical Corps.
The War DepaEcment has announced tie
names of the applicants who took the ex-
aminations recently for appointment. in the
medical corps of the army and who were
found qualified. They are as follows:
Mah,on Ashford of Washington. D. c.,
graduate of medical department, University
of Georgetown, 1901; Garfield Leslie Mckin-
ney of South Canaan, Pa, graduate of
medical department. University of Pennsyl-
vania, 1905, and Calvin Duval Cow.es. 1r.,
at large. graduate of medical depa tment,
Johns Hopkins University.
Increased Pay for the United Service.
The understanding is that President
Roosevelt is favoraby disposed to tie Fay
bill submitted to him several weeks ago as
the joint effort on the part of the War,
Navy and Treasury Departments to secure
just and equitable plan for the adjustment
and increase of the pay of the officers and
enlisted men in the service of the govern
ment. The annual reports of the depart
ment commanders now coming in invariably
comment upon this subject, and the opinion
is unanimous that it is absolutely necessary
to increase the pay of the enlisted forces 4
the government is to secure and keep desi-
Don -lGar ,tltf E,,Sc of Inni
chairman of the House committee on naval
affairs. who joined the Members of that
committee in this city, and left Wednes-
day on the L. S. S. Dolphin, for a tour of
inspection of navy yards and stations on
the Atlantic coast, expressed his approval
of the steps already taken and is entirely in
favor of the measure to be presented in
Congress.
Rifle Matches at Sea Girt
1t is expected that majority of the rifle
teams, after their matches have been con-
cluded at Camp Perry, Ohio, will go to Sea
Girt, n. j., where the matches of the New
Jersey State Rifle Association are to be
shot from September to I inclusive. The
principal match will be that for the Dryden
trophy, presented by former Senator Dry
den of that state. and one of the hand
soonest trophies of the country. There are
also to be number of other matches. in
Guiding the interstate regimentai team
d
tyro match, Columbia trophy match and
number of Others
Foreign Service Pay.
Much consideration is being paid by the
Treasury department officials to the subject
of foreign service pay in the army. while
on duty in foreign countries In one case
an army engineer was a year ago assigned
to duty in connection with fortification
work in Cuba, and on two or three visits
to the United States on official errands suf
fered the reduction Of the pay because it
was held that he was not, while he
manned in the United States, on foreign
service. The final decision, however. Is
that such a man Is entitled to the extra
pay, because his station remains abroad
and his presence in the United States is
under orders, while his duty here is of
purely temporary character.
To Accompany the Battleships.
The naval torpedo fiotiIla which Secretary
Loeb recently announced would go to the
Pacific coast in December at the same time
that Admiral Evans battleship fleet sailed,
is now made up Of eight vessels, namely:
The Hull Truxtun, Whpple. Hopkins,
Worden. Stewart. Lawrence and Macdon-
ough. Whether all the vessels. however.
will be in condition to make the long voy-
age, the naval officials are not pre-
pared to say. The fiotlla is now command
gives way in that command October l to
Lieut.. II. l. Cone, who commanded the
Dale. which accompanied the destroyers
on their voyage to China four years ago.
and is regarded as well qualified for the
work.
Army Miscellany.
Col. John Chamberlain, inspector general
U. S. A., has been appointed inspector of
the Department of the East
Col. John Van X. Hoff, assistant surgeon
general. has been appointed chief surgeon
of the Philippine division. vice Col Charles
3. Byrne relieved. Maj. William c. Brown
Sd Cavalry, and Veterinarian Charles d.
McMurdo. 10th Cavalry now in the Phil
ippines. have been ordered to proceed to
such points in Australasia as may be nee
essary for the purpose of purchasing Aus
tralian horses for the cavalry in the Philip
pines
Estimates for Post Commissaries.
An order issued by Maj. Gen Grant COM
manding the Department of the East di-
rects a close adherence to and compliance
with the provisions on the part of post
commisSaries and others to the paragraph
of the regulations of the subsistence man
ual regarding the needs of the various
posts. 1t points out that it Is no less the
duty of the commissary to avoid underes-
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