New-York tribune., 1908-06-22
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Important Decisions for Both Nili-
tary Services.
From The Tribune Bureau.I

Washington June Il.
JOKER" IN RETIREMENT PAY.-The retired
enlisted of the army and marine corps, at least
those who were the retired list at the time of
the approval May II Of the army appropriation
act, up In arms over the prospect that theN
will be deprived OF OF the benefits of the pay
clauses of that legislation. Everything hinges on
the decision the Controller regarding the appi-
cation of the words now in the service Ger
tain continuous service pay, which meant much TO
these old soldiers of the retired list who had been
long in the army. is applicable only 10 enlisted
men now in the service" OF course, the military
authorities maintaining that retired enlisted
is much in the service although not
active, those who have not been retired, and 1t Is
felt that any advantage of increase of pay which
comes to the active soldier should in diminished
way made of benefit to the retired soldiers. At
all events those who are retired since May IL Will
In for the benefits of continuous service pay.
and this will make necessary maintaining two paw
tables for the enlisted men who were retired
prior to Nav H. and another for those retired after
that date This makes it troublesome for the pay
officers. besides operating distinct Injustice to
retired enlisted men.
SHOOTING AT RUNAWAYs-A question which
submitted to the military authorities in Wash
irgton from army post in New York has to do
with the right of a soldier who is not directly In
charge OF prisoners who attempt to escape TO
fire upon such refugees. 1t seems the soldier was
really in charge OF q prisoner who was separated
from those who trying to escape. He
observed the attempt, and shot at and killed of
the fleeing men. 1t has been rather a technical
question the military officers in Washington be-
lieve o ask whether such guard may check the
flight of prisoners who seeking to escape. The
instructions which have been sent from Washing
ton indorse the action of the soldier and hold that
he is not liable to be tried by the civil courts IL
the military authorities have taken sufficiently
prompt action to bring the before army
court OF course, there must be trial. but il
would be offered in defence that the man was in
performance of his duty.
NAVY'S NEW COLIIERs-The Is a surprise.
which is also something Of a shock, awaiting the
people are responsible for the legislation which
included In the naval appropriation act, and
which authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to
purchase three new steam GOLFERS" According
to the hearing before the House and Senate
Naval Committees and the reports submitted to
Congress from the Navy Department at the last
session of Congress. these coliers are at the
works of the Fore River Shipbuilding Company.
at Quincy, Mass, and the limit of cost author
lied by Congress in each case is s525,O0O The
word new inserted In the clause evidently
to restrict the transaction TO colliers which mad
never been used, and so exclude those vessels of
that type which must be regarded not new.
Some of the shipbuilders have discovered the
clause and have obtained from the Navy Depart
ment permission submit bids for the construc-
ton Of three cOlliers, 1t being held by the law
officers of the Navy Department that the pro-
visions of the naval appropriation act will be
fully carried out by awarding contract for the
construction of the GOLFERS which Will have the
effect of purchasing three colliers. Bids
were invited In q formal way by the Navy De
partment for the tender of the cOlliers, and the
proposals to be opened July l. Not only
will the present owners of the three colliers
Quincy, Mass. be represented by bid, but sew |
eral other shipbuilding will present pro-
posaIs 20 furnish the government with three |
Golfers, and probably the competition VIII be |
keen. The situation is interesting one, mainly |
of the fact that the transction is taken
Of the exclusive class.
OBSERVERS OF THE MILITIA.-It will be |
necessary reduce the number of orders which |
IL intended issue by the War Dapartuent |