New-York tribune., 1907-09-16
ARMY AND NAVY NEUS.
from The Tribune Rursau.1

Washington. September 10
BROOKLYN DRYDOCK DELAY.-One Of the
first things to he taken Up by Secretary Metcalf
since his return Washington is the adjustment
Of the situation which has caused delay in the
completion Of the big drydock at the Brooklyn
navy yard. Some months ago the recommended
ton made that the contract be terminated
without prejudice the bidder. and that another
contract be awarded at whatever rate may be
cured by invitation for bids It is understood
that Secretary Metcalf entertans the idea that he
has authority to dissolve the contract. which
should be annulled with the liability upon the con-
tractor for any extra cost involved a second
contract for completing the structure The con-
tractor has held that his work was impeded by
conditions for which the government responsi-
bic at Brooklyn. and the controversy has lasted
more than twelve months. with a procrastinatiOn
which is alike unaccountable and disastrous The
government is deprived Of the OF the dock with
the prospect that it will be several months before
a new contract can be awarded II Mr.. Metcaf
decides that the present must be annulled
and another made at the OF the contractor,
the latter will have to to Congress for relief
ARMY BALLOON CORPS EsTABLIsHED-Ths
army signal corps officers. who have to do with mill
tary balIooning, have adopted the plan of the
perts abroad and established balloon corps For
the present It IS OF modest dimensions. FAR
personnel goes The branch will be under the i'm
mediate charge of Captain Charles De 2. Chandler.
who has been designated TO make the balloon ascen-
siOns and report upon various methods Of ObseT-
vation from great heights. and a system Of COM
municatiOn between such aerial stations and the
ground The enlisted Of the signal corps
chosen for this work have had experience in
that line, and take keen interest in the project
anticipating some interesting experiences These
army baOonsts will have the advantage Of the ex-
perience and services Of the New York aeronaut-
Leo Stevens, member of the AerOnautic Club OF
America Most of the ascensiOns which are planned
will be made from Washington with one OF the
army balloons In the Of the next few
months there will be extensive and systematic
tensions az Omaha, where the signal corps has
depot. and where special arrangements are being
made for the manufacture OF compressed gas 20 be
used in these balloons There IS still difference OF
opinion among conservative army officers respecting
the use Of the balloon in time OF war Some OF
them think it's advantage will be limited. and
that can be used only under peculiar conditions
which give the enemy opportunity 20 use the
balloon of a foe as a target indication OF the
location of the troops against which they may fire.
At the same time. il is realized that military BAL
looming has its value and it is proposed TO ascer-
tain in a practical way all that may be learned OF
the system
ENLISTED MEN IN DENIAND-Ths War De-
partment Eas been several times besought 70 detail
enlisted men. principally non-comnissioned officers
OF the regular establishment. fer duty with the
militia. both caretakers Of government property
loaned 70 the national guard commands and
subordinate instructors Of milftamen- Il has been
held that some Of the non-commissioned officers
who have served for long time are specially
qualified for this work They possess an fnttnats
knowledge Of tactics and have much 70 do with ths
training OF the recruit in the regular army me
War Department. has announced its dislnciinaffon
10 comply with such requests these IN the nrst
r1ars the non-comrnissiOned officers cannot oS
SHARED They are most valuable in connection with
the work Of the regular army at military posts IA
this country and in the Philippines Then again.
II fs considered there is authority conferred oy
Isv~ for such a designation The national guard
,+borttfes must be responsible for whatever prop
er+v is loaned them by the government ana niusr
Furnish the means OF protection The hseruction'
of course must be given by commissioned oInc71s
Of the active or retired lists oe'aH7d i'i U