The Washington herald., 1908-03-31
TUESDAY, MARCH 81. 1908.
Concerning Certain Naval Retirement.

The Navy Department-and the same is
true Of the War Department-has been
prolific during the present session OF
Congress in the production Of recon-
mendatiOns and appeals for legislation
which is deemed as necessary for the in
crease OF the efficiency OF the naval mill
itary establishment or the benefit OF the
membe Of its commissioned personnel
Most o. the suggestions derived by Con-
gress from those industrious and discern
ing sources are founded upon judicious
appreciation Of the reforms and relief
contemplated Many OF the recOmmends-
tons will necessarily be ignored as being
too radical in what is proposed or as in
volving too great an expense on the pub
lie funds. An example Of this sort Of
legislation is incorporated in the bill.
which seeks to supply commissioned Off
GERS of the army 10 take the place Of
those on what is called detached service.
and which would add TO the army regis
ter some go officers. While the bill has
passed the Senate, il stands no chance
Of being approved in the House.
An Endorsement OF pending legislation
which has been applied in a special let
ter from the Secretary Of the Navy. re-
la.es TO the bin for the retirement OF
certain officers Of the navy"-those who
are carried on the naval register as "ad-
ditionals," and who are advanced for
eminent and conspicuous conduct in bat
tie or extraordinary heroism. They are
those who gained this reputation during
the war with Spain. and their advance
ment in their respective grades was made
in such way as not 10 interfere with the
promotion Of those officers over whom
they We're advanced The remarkable
part of the departmental approval of the
bill is that which announces TO Congress
that these officers who were so advanced
nave received no benefits whatever by
being additional numbers in their grades. %
II is difficult TO understand why this rep
resentation is made to Congress. since
these officers must be regarded as bene-
hciaries in a very substantial form by
their advancement. Each is promoted with
the officer next above him. and his ad-
vancement, of course. represented a much
earlier promotion than would have been
the case had there been no advancement.
The object of the bill is 10 permit these
officers 70 avail themselves Of the priv
ileGe Of voluntary retirement. which may
not now be accomplished. for the reason
that such retirements would not create va
cancies. and that is the object Of much
OF the legislation which now originates in
either the War Department or Navy De-
partment- There can be no special OBJ
lection TO giving these officers the priv
ilege OF retiring voluntarily, If they so de-
sire. especially. If there are no vacancies
created. In which event the benefit is dis
tlnctly individual II might be suggested
however that officers who have been ad-
vanced for the reasons distinguishing
these ''add!tionaIs'' might well be con-
sidered as most desirable to retain on the
active list Of the navy until they are
obliged 10 retire by operation Of law for
age.
II ought not 10 be advanced by the NAVY
Department, however, as a reason for the
legislation, that the officers have re
ceived no benefits whatever" from their
existing status. II is difficult TO under
stand why such a statement should be
made 10 Congress.