Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-24
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Naval Honors Proposed for
Little Delaware.

Although not finally determined it seems
to be practically settled that the first of
the two new 2O.O00-ton battleships just au-
thorized by Congress will be called the
Delaware The little Diamond state" has
no representative in the United States
navy, notwithstanding she was one Of the
great original thirteen states which shook
off the yoke of England. The only other
state without naval vessel named in its
honor is the comparatively new state of
North Dakota. Oklahoma does not enter
the union Of states until July next. and
Arizona, New Mexico and Alaska are still
in the territorial class.
Appointed an Assistant Paymaster.
The vacancy in the navy pay corps ere
ated by the dismissal of Assistant Pay
master w. T. Sypher will be filed by the
appointment to that branch of Mr.. Haskell
DIAL now pay clerk on the U. S. s. Bos-
ton. who has been ordered to the Mare
Island navy yard for physical examination.
He has already passed the mental examina-
ton and is on the list of eligibies.
undermining Old Battleships.
The question has been raised whether it
is worth while expanding nearly $4,000
to modernize such ships as the Massachu-
sets. which will be overhauled at that cost
at the New York navy yard. and her sister
ship, the Oregon, destined for similar ex-
tensive work at the Puget sound navy yard
The point has been raised by some navy
officers that it will be impossible to make
the two ships the companion vessels of the
latest battleships building for the govern
ment. The Massachusetts and the Oregon
cannot, 1t Is contended. take their places on
the first line of battle. and it is argued that
they will be as efficient for any other duty
to which they may be assigned If they are
not improved to the extent proposed. On
the other hand. the navy department takes
the view that, as 1t Is out of the question
to get new battleships to replace those
which need undermining. it is decided
advantage to have those vessels put In
condition for the best sort of service of
which they will be capable. Therefore, the
plans for the regeneration of the Oregon
and the Massachusetts will be carried into
effect.
Promotions in the Artillery.
The President has decided that the origi-
nal vacancies created or caused In the
grade Of first lieutenant in the field ar
tillery. in the operation Of the act Of Janu-
airy IS. 1907, and which shall be found to
exist when the promotions required by that
act shall have been made, together with the
original vacancies similarly created or
caused in the same Grade in the coast
artillery. be filled by the appointment of
hentenants Of the engineers cavalry and
infantry. whose rank In the coast and field
artillery. respectively. will be determined by
the, result OF a. competitive examinations
The scope, character and the date. OF such
examination win be determined by the
Secretary OF War and. upon its completion,
nominations will be prepared and submit
ted In accordance with the standing OF the
officers recommended for appointment as
determined by such competitive examine
ton. 4
New Naval Turret Turning Gear.
It has been decided by the Navy Depart
ment to equip all the battleships possess-
ing modern -turrets with the new electrical
turning gear. It IL estimated that this will
cost about 5000 for each ship. and the
work win be done principally at the New
York and Norfolk yards. Formerly the
theory obtained that the most efficient
turret was that which could be turned