Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-14
Studies Changed at Naval Academy.

Studies Changed at Naval Academy.
Acting Secretary Newberry has approved
certain features of the recommendations OF
the naval board charged with the duty or
examining the curriculum of the Naval
Academy with view to its Improvement
These include the combination of the de-
partments of seamanship and navigation
with the addition of the study of law in
that department.: the combination OF the
departments of mathematics and mechanics
and a revision of the text books; modih-
cation of the course of rhetoric. n contlnu-
Gus course in French and Spanish, to-
gether with an increase in the time de-
voted to practical electricity. Recomm n
dations of the board for combination of
the departments of English and modern
languages and the creation of a depart
mert of physical training not ap-
proved.
I ne board reached the conclusion that the
present course of study in mathematics is
well devised for the needs of the academy,
but a complete revision of the text DOCKS
is suggested, by which the work or the mlu-
shipman can be much simp;hed. AS
whole. the board believes that the present
course at Annapolis is we'll adapted 10 us
purposes; it recognizes there are some
points for criticism, but in that connection
calls attention to the fact that condl' 'ofs at
the academy have materially changed IN
the last few years, due to the lack or sea
going officers and their short deta'i as III.
structors. 1t is stated that the absence OF
such officers gradually tends tC a loss OF
that close connection with the service that
has always been the strong point AT the
academy The board thinks that the tour
of duty of officers detailed as instructors
should be made three years instead OF Two.
The board expresses the opinion that the
midshipmen should be instructed and re-
uuired to maintain discipline by seeing that
their orders are executed rather than by
reporting infractons of the regulations.
Reference is made to what the board re-
CARDS as the evils of having large coachlng
schools in such close touch with the
academy as now exists, and 1t Is recon-
mended that steps be taken to correct that
condition of affairs as far as possible In
structions will be given to the superln-
tendent of the academy to confer with the
civil authorities at Annapolis on that SUBJ
ject.
The President to the Rescue.
If it had not been for the personal in
terDosition OF President Roosevelt the
cruiser Olympia, Admiral Dewey's flagship
at Manila bay. might have been the only
vessel of the United States Navy without
a library. The Olympia is the flagship
of the training squadron of the Naval
Academy. Just before beginning the an
nual cruise of the midShlpmen this sum-
mer Rear Admiral Sands, then superin-
tendent of the Naval Academy, was asked
to make some suggestion regarding the
composition of the library for the Olym-
pia He declined to do so, and directed
that no library be furnished. as he be-
lieved that the midshipmen would have
their time taken up with work, and should
not be induced to read the literature they
would be likely to get from the ships
library. That decision was surprise to
the Navy Department authorities, and the
situation evidently came to the knowledge
ne t1n W
why the Olympia did not have library
for the benefit of the midshipmen as we'll
as the enlisted men regularly attached to
the ship. The reports sent to the Presl-
dent did not convince him that the ship
should be without d library. and he or
dered that the books be installed Thls
action was taken when the Olympia was in
the North river recently.
An Ideal Military Laundry.
The War Department has published an
interesting report from Capt. E f. Booth
Of the 18th Cavalry who has recently In
stalled and managed large post steam
laundry at Fort Lcavcnworth, Kan, which
is pronounced model of order, neatness
and cleanliness in every respect" Illus
trations accompany the report, which Is
published as an aid to the establishment
and operation of similar institutions else
where Brig Gen Hall, commandant Of
the Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort
writes in very COMP. mentary terms OF Its
operation, and says that it's scale of prices
for work for enlisted men has been re-
duced to the mnimum-that is, % cents
per week. He recommends that orders be
issued from the War Department making
| IT obligatory on all enlisted men to send
their soiled clothing to the post laundry
the only exception being married enlisted
men.
Reform Wanted in Plucking Plan.
The fact that fifteen officers had to be
selected out in order TO aid promotion in
| the navy has called attention to the need
| of some means by which the desired end
might be accomplished without humiliating
| officers who have done nothing to justify a
conspicuous indication of their uniitneSS
| for active duty. The incident is said to
serve as an illustration of the need of
| some remedial legislation at the next ses-
sion of Congress. 1t is now suggested that
| the age-in-grade retirement he applied to
| lieutenant commanders and captains, and
that the rear admirals be selected after
| the manner of briGadier and major generals
of the army. Another suggestion which
| finds some favor is that officers who are
| to be promoted to the grades of lieutenant
| commanders, commander and captain shall
| be passed upon and their advancement
| voted for by the officers of the grade to
| which the promotion is TO be made.
Pay of Civilian Physicians.
/ no