New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-18
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
BattLeship Ne7o Y0rhc-Cruiser Man.
haitian.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau.I

washington, May II.
CHANGE OF NAME PROPOSED.-The proposi
ton is pending before the Secretary of the
Navy to change the name of the cruiser New York
to the Manhattan Some naval officers OBJ
authorized, they say. will meet with much criti-
cism among the commissioned personnel and the
enlisted force. Those who connected with the
ships in any capacity take much pride in the name
York. when the ship has a war record as well as
a steaming record. The idea is to have one of the
named for the State OF New York and it WoGd be-
impossible to have the cruiser retain the same
name.
CONTRACTORS MUST BE CAREFUL-The
Navy Department still has under considera ton the
completion of the drydock at the navy yard at
Brooklyn. on which work has been done since
last August 1t begins 10 look II the contrac-
bV %"GG lose ms contract ana me w4ES be done
10y iotneI man at the expense or the original
contractor. 1t has been charged that the govern
resulted from broken sewer near the dock. The
Navy Department has applied to the Attorney Cen
the contractor, and not the government, IL respon
slbIe under the contract for the erection Of dry
walton and structural work caused by water flow
ing from a concealed drain pipe, the existence OF
which neither the contractor nor the government
knew, and by breakage in the rebuilt portion OF
d sewer which had been diverted around the head
OF the drydock, caused, in large measure. by tho
ground support on the side next the drydock hav-
ing been weakened by the excavation. the contract
expressly providing. among other things. that the
the entire responsibility for the sufciency of the
snoring and protection of the excavation and va
he should be responsible for any settlement or
damage to the structures that may result directly
or indirectly from his operations and that he
should be responsible for the entire work and every
part thereof until completion and acceptance.
HEAT AND LIGHT ALLOWANCES.-An inter
esuns point has come before the Navy Department
respecting the allowance for light and heat naval
officers under the provisions of tho army bill,
which Is made TO apply to them in this particular
There are naval officers duty at the navy yard
at brooklyn. for instance. where public quarters
are heated and lighted from central plant In
such cases cognizance will be taken Of the heat
and light thus provided. 1t is assumed that officers
whose houses heated from Il government plant
are obtaining their full allowance When officer
plant ceases to occupy them he may obtain from
the general stOrekeeper of the station statement
OF his accumulated allowance to date, which shall
be based on information as light used by sl.Tl
which has supplied the same
FAMILIES FOR THE PHILIPPINEs-Ther is
a great commoton in the army medical department
account Of the difficulty which has been
countered in providing quarters board the trans
port Thomas for the members of the families of
some eleven army surgeons. who have suddenly
been assigned to duty in the Philippines and
That vessel will carry troops Of cavalry and "a
regiment of infantry, and the passenger list
completed some time ago. The shortening OF the
tour of duty of staff officers In the Philippines
made II necessary to Issue unexpected ass gn-
ments TO duty among army surgeons. The latter
are Gonfronted with the prospect that In sailing
their families, who are obliged 10 join them by
means Of a later transport one of the medical
officers has protested TO the War Department and
asked that exception be made in his behalf and
at the expense of infantry lieutenant on a
ocount OF superior rank.