New-York tribune., 1907-09-19
ANY AND NAVY NEWS
Rear admiral Walkers WorE an
Washington.
from The Tribune Bureau J


cr- nrr-rER of THE NAVY."-The death Of
d. Admiral John C; Walker GetreO is OF IN
tarest to officers Of the old navy Admiral walker
lived for many years in Washington. ana was a'
one time the president of the Metropolitan Cluo
here In the days when he dominated IN the oe-
-u~.,,an+ as chief of the bureau of navigation ne
,.,s ,xrourn as the ruler of the navy and was
credited with possessing more influence Win 'ii7
succeeding Secretaries of the Navy ana the freSi
dent than any officer OF the military ana ma
val services Admiral Walker was an indefatlgapie
worker whose influence came from the fact that nc
mas Of real value 10 his superiors in office MOI
until he became the chief of the bureau OF naVl-
cation did the Navy Department have a clpher
code of its own He prepared the method which is
nov, used and pronounced the best of its sort IN
the world Up to that time the naval messages
were sent in the State Department CODE or IN
what was known the Larabee CODE ooth OF theii
of simplicity which only partly met the demand
for secrecy Rear Admiral Walker was an author
ity on canal construction and favored the Nicara-
qua route instead of the Panama. He was the first
officer take ships of the navy. so called. to
European waters. That was in 1se5 when he was
made commander In chief of the white squadron
II was In Admiral Walkers regime also that cleo
tricity TO play such an important part in the
mechanical equipment board ships of war The
adoption of these devices. which are now used gem
orally. was resisted by Walkers associates. and
hot fight ensued until Admiral Walker carried his
point Admiral Walker had great executive ability,
but was not accounted. at least according to his
critics. a great success in command afoat In
personal appearance Admiral walker did not con-
vey the impression Of a naval officer He wore
'Durdreary" whskers and the most fattering
photographs of him suggested a prosperous panker-
In many vsvs he showed the influences of his New
England ancestry. He had the nasal tone winch
some people OF that section have. and pos
sessed keen appreciation Of humor which mani
tested itself in casual and original remark He
was wont to tell a story which illustrates as well
as ANYTHING his failure to live up TO the service
conception Of naval appearance, as well as ms
appreciation Of the humorous. brisk young naval
officer one day rushed into the reception room OF
the chief of the bureau of navigation and petu-
Iaptl,, demanded OF the farmer looking person in
civilian attire who walking up and down
the room:
us Walker in?"
The plain individual thus addressed stopped short.
looked the caller with quizzical gaze ana
replied with most insinuating deliberation:
Don't be formal Call me John
Nhereupon the junior naval officer. who had
heard much and shared the common fear OF the
mighty Walker Is said have collapsed
Admiral Walker had no patience with ofohes Ot
dr,Inkards He was candid and fearless and did
much for the navy-its materiel and personnel
which should not he forgotten
MILITARY LEGISLATION wANTED.-The War
repartr cnt authorities who have TO do with service
legislation coming to realize that there IS
vas amount Of material marked for tntFoduct'oh
at tho rext session II is 200 early fer the officials
to determine the sentiment of Congress. but the
conservative view Is that comparatively Htte VIII
be achieved Nearly all the projects which were
approved by Secretary Taft the beginning OF the
5eth Congress failed Of enactment These inciude
the increase Of the infantry. the formation OF 4
reserve force and many other reforms which were
regarded as essential for military efficiency and as
provisions for an adequately and well trained armed
force IN time Of war. These bills will be sent 10
Congress again. The War Department does not
expect suggest any new projects as II is realized
that under the most favorable conditions little can
be accomplished OF course. the principal enort
will be made in behalf OF the joint bill TO increase
the pay of the commissioned officers and enisted
men OF the army navy. marine corps and revenue
cutter service. The authorities working on
plans intended 10 obtain prompt and favorable ac-
tion on this measure. which is regarded with keen
interest by all officers and enlisted men II the
service pay bill passes the failure OF other pending
legislation will be viewed with equanmity-
RESULTS OF WAR oRsERvATIoNs-The re-
ports which continue to from the army Off
GERS who served military observers with the
Russian and japanese forces in Manchuria con-
tain many suggestions OF Improvements in the
American establishment one of the most iupor
of these is the promotion Of greater mobil-
ity for the infantry. II Is realized that the in
creased distances which soldiers must now travel
in time OF make it necessary 10 decrease COM
parativeIy the burden OF the foot soldier in order
that he may be little hampered possible
with individual supplies OF the field This is
evidently 70 be of the questions the military
experts viii take UP. applying their skill 20 de-
vices for getting rid OF Of the weights
carried. This may he effected by having OF
the infantry outfit made of aluminium and by hav-
ing pack horses with each company TO carry its
ammunition. intrenchng tools. ratons, shelter
tents and blankets II is urged that il indi-
vidual weight Of thirty pounds could by this means
he taken from the infantryman the marching
dius a day would he increased nearly one-third
ORDERS ISSCED.-The following orders have
been issued;
ARMY.
Lieutenant Colonel WALTER L FISK Corps OF En-
gneers. Francisco to once chief of
gneers a washington for temporary duty.
First Lieutenant GEORGE ". WINTERBt F(N 9Th
airy. TO general hospital Preside Of san Francisco
First Lieutenant IRWIN l.. HUNSAKER. 9th Cavalry
Francisco Fort De Russey. reporting
FriCader General Charles Morton for staff
Second Lieutenant FITZHUGH B ALDERDICE. rrom
Second Lieutenant Harry s Gillespie from 81 TO 1th In
fantry.
lieutenant J. ". sCHOENFELD. additional Guty in
charge recruiting party No. l
W :. HOEN. additional Guty with recruiting party
MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPS-The following
-