New-York tribune., 1908-03-02
ARMY AND NAVY NEW )
Va,led Interests Of the Military
Services.
From The Tribune Bureau J

of the details of his plan increase the efficiency OF
vessels Of the Atlantic feet by material decrease
in the expenditure Of coal He has obtained au-
to-it,, from the Navy Department offer annual
prizes to the extent of s. 100 for the best RECORDS
made on the shps Of the feet in saving fue lie
believes that this system would encourage coHpe-
tition similar to that which has worked so well in
advancing the performance OF ships in gunilery.
The prize for the best battleship aTmored cruiser
is S1Ga0. and for the best torpedo boat destroyer
800 There is to be a prize for the Atlantic and
another the Pacific fleet Rear admiral Evans
has devised n plan by which this money may ne
distributed among the enlisted who con
tribute 10 the best record made. This VIII give
each man on the hatteghip 3 10, and about me
same on the destroyer which made the best record.
This would insure men of each rate getting the
same prize, whether serving aboard a battleshp
or aboard a destroyer. II is also suggested that
advancement in rating be given 10 men who snow
themselves especially competent in this work ana
Rear Admiral Evans believes that after the yearly
competition il should be possible aboard The WIN
ming ships TO advance such one rate IN ad-
vance OF the completion Of their probationary pc
riod in the lower rate. provided such probationary
service as is uncompeted be made up IN the next
higher rate before further advancement is posi-
BILE.
LIMITS OF FENCE-Major General
F. D. Grant has made an interesting comment in
the case of coast artillery man who was tried al
Fort Preble, Maine. for assauting a fellow soldier
The culpr1t sentenced TO reduction to the
ranks-being chief trumpeteT-three months con-
finement al hard labor and forfeiture of pay. The
. court had recommended the accused man to Glenn
enCy the following grounds: The long and
faithful service OF this soldier extending it does
over some sixteen years private and non-coln-
rnissoned officer in the opinion OF the court
titles him TO consideration The circumstances. as
shown by the evidence submitted, indicate that the
soldiers idea may well have been self-defence,
although the Of such weapon was not just-
fed" This led General Grant to make the follow
ing comment: The evidence shows that the
cused and d number Of other persons, civilian and
military. public dive maintained in viola
tion of Law, in the city Of Portland. Me prohbi-
ton state: that after amount OF drink had
been taken, alteration between the accused
and Private Sheridan arose; that the party then
proceeded to an alley back of the dive, and before
any physical injury had been done the accused he
drew revolver and shot Private Sheridan infict-
ing a severe wound III the leg The defence claim
self-defence. but the story was not corroborated
and IS also improbable. The practice Of carrying
concealed weapons without any justification IS
reprehensible. and when resort Is unnecessarily
had a deadly weapon, endangering the life OF
a conrade much more punishment should be
awarded than done IN this case. For the re-
viewing authority 10 further extend clemency,
when the court had more than fully usurped his
powers would be improper. In order that the ac-
cused may not escape all punishment the sentence
was approved February Il 1908, and Will be duly
executed at Fort Williams. Maine
WHEN SECRETS LEAK.-The officers Of the
War and Navy departments are anxious TO be
Leved Of the obligation now imposed by statute
that all plans and specifications. copies OF bids
and copies Of contracts shall be fled in the De
partnent Of the Interior. This is requirement Of
long standing, and the original object such
centraton OF records has long since ceased to exist
The Navy Department authorities are particularly
anxious TO he relieved from this exacLOn for the
reason that some Of the plans and specifications
relate to the construction and equipment of ships
which are regarded as confidential The Navy De-
partTnent desires that law should be enacted per
Tnitting amount Of discretion. at least in
sending this Information the Interior Depart
1nent. AS stands now. the information requires
special clerical labor il order 10 furnish the extra
copies 10 an Office where they are rarely consulted,
since most persons go directly 10 the department
where the contracts awarded.
RECRUITS CAST-OFF APPAREL-The com
manding officer Of the big recruiting depot at.
Fort SIocum, New York. is in a quandary con
cerning the disposition Of the civilian attire
which is surrendered by recruits when they are
accepted into the military service These men have
no use. Of course. for their civilian garments
since they are destined to remain in the mill
rarE service for least three years. during
which time they not expected, and. in fact
faCitlE forbidden. to anything but the mill
tary garh- There has been more or less question
among army officers as the wisdom of per
Uitting the soldiers TO retain their lockers a
suit Of civilian clothing which they may wear
when on aeave. even for days absence In this !
way II Is expected 10 avoid making soldiers con
spicuous by their uniforms and some Of the en-
listed feel that the military apparel at
tracts attention and serves TO exclude them from
places of public entertainment, such as theatres I
and restaurants. because they are in soldiers /
dress They would evidently he welcome if /
they attired in civilian clothing. The War
Department mas not seen ft TO make the change
however and there is no likelihood that the sub
Ject viii be taken up, although in some cases the
commanding officers do not pay much attention 10
the situation and soldiers who don civilian clothing
not called 10 account for il. At Fort Socun as
at the Two other recruiting depots, the clothing .
which Is surrendered, Of course al the option of /
the owner, has been turned over to charitable in
stitutiOns- It appears that this is not now re-
quired. and, in fact, difficulty has been en-
Countered in finding any who wants the /
clothing. II has been decided that it is possible /
TO sell this clothing instead Of giving it away
promiscucuslv to individuals who apply for it
and cover the income into the fund for the
Improvement Of the mess at the recruiting depot
This VIII not yield substantial income. but it
viii he Of some benefit 10 the recruits while they
are at depots.
KEEPING FLOUR At SI-A-The Information
received at tho Navy Department from the
United States ship Virginia in regard 10 the test
OF pack king -four in bags instead of barrels is
sufficient to settle the question of choice. II
has been decided TO leave TO the general store
Keepers at New York. Boston and Norfolk the
selection Of barrels or bags As the packing Of
-four which is shortly TO be fur1 shed under a
contract for 100000 pounds Of that article re-
Gently awarded 10 New York firm some Of
the officers who have been studying the subject I
claim that II would be d saving Of space and
easier IL handling if -four We're packed in bags
It IS d question however whether bagged -four
viii be sufficiently protected from deterioration .
On the Pacific Coast it is the custom to pack !
-four in tins, but this is costly envelope al
though II is an insurance against the ravaCes /