New-York tribune., 1907-12-16
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
Progress an Congress on Seruice
Pen Bill.
[From The Tribune Bureau ]

Washington, December 16
FRIENDS OF BILL OPTIMISTIC.-Advocates OF
the service pay bill. both within and without the
ranks, immensely gratifed by the progress
which has been made in Congress and the strong
sentiment that seems TO he growing In favor CT
that measure. Anxious to use their pet arguments
and persuasive powers. the Representatives who
are pushing the bill have endeavored 20 win over
any who might be opposed, but thus far they have
been unable to discover any Congressman who has
a hostile spirit than that of apathy. On the
other hand, many Of the disinterested members
have been won over to an active support of the
bill since the main features have been made clear
and they have learned that the measure affects
narly million people. Both the War and Navy
departments and Representatives most interested
in the hill have received assurances from Senators
and Representatives that great effort will be
made for the bill. and for this the outlook
at present is bright Speaker Cannon has not an
nounced his attitude in regard to the BILL but
it is understood that he has no objection to its
passage If he finds that the sentiment of the
House is in favor Of it. 1t is certain that some
alleyating measures will be taken to prevent the
desertons and complaints that have been con-
stantly coming from the enlisted in all
branches Of the service, and which have been out
lined in every report issued by military and naval
authorities made public this year. These reports
show that the recruiting officers Of all branches
having great difficulty in keeping the ranks
tolerabIy well filed, and in many instances this
is found 10 be impossible.
Representative Capron. when asked to-day to
the probability OF the pay bill passing, said II
don't wish to into a discussion of that sub
ject just now, the committees have not been
appointed and a definite and accurate opinion Is
impossible. 1 do believe however. that there is
every reason to be optimistic" He willing to
give many reasons why the bill should pass. and
said; 1T is only necessary turn the reports
sent out by the various departments to determine
the urgent need for increased pay. The people of
the country want in the army. the navy and
the other branches whom they be proud OF.
They do not want men who driven into the
army because there is nothing else that they can
do, but men who enter the service with some spirit
OF patriotism. But even the most patriotic Of
men must have some larger inducement than N3
a month when those outside earning five times
that much with less effort. The argument that
the government furnishes board and clothes is true
enough. but 1t is not convincing. because the SOL
ders have 10 buy civilians clothes anyhow. and all
Of them do. II IS not fair TO ask men to make
every sacrifice TO the country. The n
try should be willing to make some sacrifices for
the men, and in this case, where sacrifice is
asked, no hesitatic should be felt. IL is hard
thing to ask healthy. active man TO give up his
family. his friends and his pleasures for sl3 a
month"
One thing that will help the passage OF the BILL
in the opinion of Representative Capron. is that
all branches of the service are pulling together
and whatever friction there may have been hith-
erto has entirely disappeared.
ORDERS IssUED-The following orders have
been issued:
ARMY.
Major b- GHRhEs Z Tor sPrsoon from Pa't
Captain JACOB E. BLOOM. commissaEy. Chicago for
First hieatsnan, -V5 cARESSE LIE r. COLE assistant
surgeon, from san Francisco TO Fort Thomas.
Captain HENRY b. DIXON. paymaster. from san Fran
cisco Portland.
First Lieutenant HERBERT G. MILLER. 4th Field Ar
tieTy resignation accepted. TO take effect January 81
NAVY.
Captain J. B MILTON, to navy yard. Mare Island.
Lieutenant Z. +. EcKHARDT. the Maryland.
Lieutenant H. L, COOK. detached the Tingey: to the
Alabama
Ensign a KALI detached the Alabama.
Assistant Surgeon j. Il. IDEN additional duty
with Cape Cruz-tasilda survey expedition. ManZa-
milo.
Paymaster II. e. STEVENS. navy yard Boston
Paymaster c. S. BAKER detached navy yard. Boston,
wait orders
Paymaster O. p. SHAMER to the Montgomery
Assistant Naval Constructor J. A. FURER. detached
yard, New York; to naval station. Charleston.
MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPS-The following
movements of vessels have been reported to the
Navy Department:
ARRIVED
Dec 1S.-The Prebie. Mare Island
Dec. Whpple Hopkins. the Hull. the Stow
art TruxtUn and the Lawrence at Trinidad; the
Tecumseh, al Hampton Roads. the Craven. Nor
Dec. I5-Ths Nevada Norfolk.
Dec. I5-The Maynower and The Dolphin. from Wash
ington for Hampton Roads
The Dahlgren placed in reserve navy yard, Norfolk
December I3