New-York tribune., 1908-04-13
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
fFrom rne rribuns Ruresu.I


Washington. AFrl =
GOT NO BALLOON PHOTOGRAPHS amy
signal officers who went up in the new military
balloon the other day took with tHenF ths teisphoto
camera which has been acquired from Europe
where IL is used for military purposes This Is
camera which takes long range pictures with the
effect Of short range Photography. and the tests
which have been conducted with the Instrument
hitherto have given such success that the experts
have come 10 the conclusion that II would Be OF
great value in taking pictures from distance
These previous operations Of the camera we're from,
an altitude such the TOP OF the Washington
Monument. including scenes in the neighborhood.
and from the roof OF the hotel n old Point Com
fort the day OF the departure a. the Atlantic
feet from Hampton Roads The results were salts
factory on those occasions but this far from
the case when the camera was used the military
balloon. II found in the first place, that the
instrument is unvieldy and too large and that Il
was difficult Of operation in consequence The con-
slant vibration which balloon. especially
in ascent makes IL impossible 20 keep the camera
in steady position The result that the pict-
ures were blurred. and owing 10 the mechanism u
the camera. many OF the plates were logged It IS
realized that some other system will have to %
used and It IS thought that il will necessary 20
employ smaller camera and then enlarge the
pictures BY photography afJerward
WARSHIPS NEED BOOKS-NavaI officers who
are attached 70 the ships which are going
commission are surprised 10 learn that the Navy
I
libraries which are furnished the enlisted as
we'll the libraries installed for the benefit the
Officers This action is taken measure of
economy and to save money whiSH has been hith-
| erto expended for books This action is much re-
Gretted by the officers who realize that these IL
braries great comfort and OF practical benefit
| to the enlisted men as we'll OF course. 10 the
| officers whose collections Of books are OF more
professional character II is probable that some
/ effort Will be made the part OF commanding
~ he STff H7v-- II
/ libraries restored 10 their original volume
| FAMOUS LIBRARY SIIGHTED-The only
/ omission made by the Senate Military COMMITTEES
/ IN the army bill as it passed the House the
/ Insignificant item OF 500 representing a reduce
/ tion OF that amount oue-half the usual aIlor-
/ meHJ. made for the support OF the library OF the
/ Office Of the Surgeon General OF the Army This =
/ the best medical library in the world. and members
| Of the profession who come 10 Washington always
/ make point Of visiting the place- The medical
/ officers cannot imagine why the Senate should
\ have reduced the item it represents The only
departure from the bill II passed the House and
is in contrast TO the conditional amount OF 2400loO
/ added 20 the bill by the Senate II viii be
serious loss 10 the surgeon generals library II the
annual allotment IS reduced. since viii deprive
| OF publications which it is necessary 70 purchase
| When they appear, and which may not be acquired
! II there is any reduction in the fund.
/ NAVY ORDNANCE DEPOTS-The recent TIP
| OF Lne Assistant Secretary or Navy o
York HarbOr made for the purpose OF in
specttng tract OF 10 OF land at TUFTS
| Point, on kill kuIl. which had been offered
| to the Navy Department oy the owner a Mr
Savage, at $500 The Navy Departments
has been considering the advisabiliry OF purchas-
ing land for ordnance stores in the various har-
| bors most frequented by naval vessels and Nj.
| Savage made his offer through ex-Secretary Or
| the Navy Tracy Since Mr. Savage's offer was re-
| ceived numerous tracts have been offered but the
| department viii not max any purchases for that
/ purpose at present
| JUSTICE To WARRANT OFFICERS Ths
chief warrant officers OF the navy are anxious 10
have legislation enacted al the present session OF
| Congress that there will be justice done them
| relief viii be sought by the Navy Department as
/ II mas the favor OF the nava- authorities VINO
| appreciate the Inconsistency which exists War
rant officers. after they have served for specinc
period. become chief warrant of17cers The paw OF
which rating is determined the amount OF prior
service II happens that II the case of Junior
| appontees their pay warrant officers Isl between
/ $40 and N,s00 4 year. In such cases when they
| become CHIEF warrant officers the pay Is 40
/ year, and this reduction in compensation con-
/ tnues for four i've years. Their --prpmOtioa--
/ is automatic. and they suffer the reduction oc
/ pay with increase IN title and addition OF
7 responsibility of duty The situation has led 70
/ much discomfort th- part OF the chief warrant
/ officers. and effort viii be made 70 correct the
/ condition