Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-22
So Says OmelaI of the Department
in Omaha Re-
Gently.


zone Of the most important measures now
before congress-" said an official connected
with the Navy department in Omaha
few days ago rs the navy personnel bill,
which is strongly urged by President
Roosevelt, who understands the conditions
of the navy better than any of his prede-
cessors. The bill commends Itself to the
public as no other navy personnel bill has
yet done.
THE presidents message showed that
most of the present captains in the navy
are well advanced in years. They lave
spent too many years in subordinate posi-
lions, and they were too old at the time
of the development of the new battle fleet
to adapt themselves to the changed con-
ditlons. Some have retained their vigor
and power of initiative Others find the
strenuous work OF administering too severe
for them, even in time OF peace, and age
rapidly under the strain. Two years In
command of a battleship is liable to add
ten years to a mans age in time of peace.
IL he is not already familiar with the work
and is not young enough and vigorous
enough in body and mind 10 stand the
strain. In time of war, vigor, strength and
endurance are essential. The president
shows that our officers arrive at the rank
to the grade of rear admiral at 50. and
are retired two years Iater We have. many
rear admirals on the retired list, and all
line officers expect, IL they live, to be re.
tired in that grade.
"The remedy proposed is briefly as fol-
lows: Let the line of the navy be di-
vided into two lists; one, the seagoing
list, the other, the reserve list for shore
duty only. The seagoing list would perform
duty at sea or on shore but II would even
tually have to serve on shipboard most Of
the time.
'The machinery for this elimination from
the seagoing list is admirably designed.
In each case the selections are to be made
by boards OF five officers Of high rank,
sworn to do their duty without prejudice
or partiality, and having In view solely
the fitness OF the officers and the efficiency
OF the naval service. and they must agree,
or at least four OF them. These boards
are not TO select men for promotion, they
are to select men for transfer 70 the re-
serve list. Officers may apply for this
list and, where there is difficulty in agree
ment, their applications will undoubtedly
have considerable weight with the board.
Lieutenant commanders transferred to
the reserve list would eventually be re-
uieu without Iurther pfOmOuoni command
ers would have the rank Of captain when
retired; captains the rank Of commodore
las result we should have eventually
our officers reaching the grade OF com
mander at the age Of A. captains at IS
and rear admiral at 65
IF we are never to have war, we don't
need TO. worry. except as 10 expense The
proposed bill would result in saving Of
over $4,000 in the next seven years and
an ultimate saying Ct about a.OOOOOO a
year. But II we are again to have war. #
il important that We give our ships the
best commanders we can. They will be OPP
posed by young and vigorous men.
We are going ahead with plans for the
fertilization of the isthmian canal. 1t is
possible that foreign powers, led by Ger
many and Japan. will dispute our preten-
sions TO holding the key TO that lock all
alone. They have jealous eyes for all that
concerns sea commerce, and while they
profess warm friendship for the United
States. we cannot afford 10 go to sleep
The sooner we take the question to hear
seriously. the sooner win congress find out
that the people demand a ready navy"