New-York tribune., 1908-05-11
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
LOOKING FOR TRANSPORTS
army Preparing for Emergencies
BeuOnd the Sea.
IFrnm The Tribune Bureau. ]

POSI- IRI.E TROOPSHIPS.-The War Department
has under consideration extension of the facih-
ties for transporting troops at sea and II seems
likely that favor will be shown the proposition
made two years ago by the quartermaster general
of the army that the government obtain options on
Oceangong steamers which are considered adapta-
bic 10 such a purpose. The information Is easily
obtainabe and is practically in tho possession OF
the quarJermaster generals office. 1t will remain
OF course to have legislative authority TO make the
preliminary arrangements with the owners or
agents of the ships the basis Of a contract
which would allow the vessels be incorporated
into the government service short notice IN time
Of emergency The contract is to stpulate the rate
OF compensation for such employment of the ships
In this way. it is believed. the War Department
could control the price which would be paid for
vessels Of value as troop transports. and so avod
any raise in price incident TO emergency. At the
time the Quartermaster made the original proposi-
tion it was not received with favor-at least. no
action taken. 1t realized that 1t would oe
of great advantage to possess these options on
available vessels. which would be kept in state
Of readiness for prompt service The military au-
thoriries believe that this is the only way the gov
ernment can protect itself from excessive charges
for army troop and supply ships in time OF war or
threatened war and IT is believed that this would
be cheaper in the end than increasing the present
transport service II is explained that these in
quiries made in any immediate anticipation
OF need TO send troops abroad but grow out Of the
recognized desirabEty Of being We'll prepared for
all contingencies. however improbable. in the At
Iantic, we'll the Pacific.
ERRORS OF NAVAL CRITICs-Chief Con-
structcr ". L Capps. L. s. n. has fled with the
Senate Naval Committee q final letter IN reply to
the criticisms OF naval design, construction and
equipment. and this letter, with volume Of test1
mony and documents which have been sent to that
committee. viii be published in A Senate document,
IS pointed out that all the military and seagOing
characteristics OF each baTeship built for the navy
have been passed upon oy 4 board Of officers the
majority Of whose members belong 10 the seagoing
branch Of the navy. An important passage in the
letter IS that which disputes the integrity. or at
least the frtaIfDity. of log drafts of
determining overdratts Of vessels. This system os
determination Is pronounced by the chief con-
strUctor entirely misleading and Inaccurate
He adds; Such 4 method. as ordinarily carried
out involves errors due 20 inaccuracies in Zhe re-
corded log draft; errors due TO differences in deUs
ity Of water; errors due failure into
sideration the actual stores, ammunition, etc. on
board: errors due to inaccurate log reports as to
coal actually board failure TO take into account
the excess Of water in trimming tanks, double bot
toms, etc-this last named item alone on certain
battleshps OF the Atlantic fleet during the recent
voyage TO the Pacific Coast. having involved
much go TO 500 tons additional weight. Any est
mate OF overdraft. therefore based upon the draft
Of the ship and the amount Of coal board.
recorded the log. would seem 10 be too obviously
inaccurate 10 require further comment
BEVERAGES FOR TROOPS-SeversI firms n
New York. who make Z business Of selling bever-
ages described nou-Intoxicauts, anxious
have those articles admitted for sale in the army
post exchanges where so-CalIed temperance drinks
only must be sold This Is Of the most exact
ing questions with which the military authorities
have 10 do, and It seems likely that The subject
will he taken I'D by the War Department and dis
cussed 10 the circular or general orders for the
guidance Of those who have charge of post ez-
change administration general rule which II has
been decided To observe IS that any beverage which
IS sold m prohibition state may properly and
safely he added to the stock Of drtukablss at post
exchange It SO happens that there is no federal
decision to the amount Of alcohol which will
render beverage Intoxicaur and the general
outlined Is considered 70 De fair means Of
determination. II is hoped. however. that some
case Will come before the federal courts So as 70
settle the question In = definite Vav- In the mean
time the practice Of prohibition viii be
sidered a convenient and safe guide.
NAvY WANTS PAYNASTERS- Navy ne
parrment has addressed letters 10 the presidents
OF the College Of st. Francis Xavier. New York
city, 81, Johns School. at Manltus the New York
Military Academy, at CornwalI-on- Hudson; Cornell
University, At Ithaca, De Id Sale Institute, New
York City; Riverview Academy, Poughkeepsie. and
the PeekskiU Military Academy. Feekskill inviting
the submission Of three names Of senior students.
preferably graduates. Of those colleges who are
regarded by the faculty worthy ot being OK
amined with a view appointment assistant
payuasters IN the navy There vaCau-
cies that grade and the competitive examination
viii he held before a board to convene in Wash
ington June % Ordinarily examination Of
this kind has been held of those candidates who
have fled appica tons This year il is proposed 70
extend the list OF those Who are 10 be authorized
for examination < TO include graduates Of the
Leading colleges throughout the country. II IS be
ueved that the young thus obtained viii be of
the character. training and inclination which ~ilt
them for service in the navy pay corps All
the leading colleges have been informed including
those named in New York.
UNIFORMS NOT NEGOTIA BI.E.-The Wag ne
rartrnent IS renewing effort stop the Illegal
traffic in soldiers uniforms There have been in
the last year many cases or conviction of dealers
In clothing who have purchased equipment from
enlisted men Of the army. For a time the depart
rneut encountered much difficulty accomplishing
this for the reason that the clothing held to
be n allowance Of the soldier, who entitled
do what he pleased with something issued to hIm
and 10 which he fully entitled with all the
effect OF proprietary possession In some recent
which have come To the attention of the War