New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-12
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Battle Mast for american WarShips
Like Observation T0zcer.
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington. October Il.
OBSERVATION TOWERS AT sF1A-The United
States ship Idaho, which is attached to the newly
organized third squadron of the Atlantic fleet is
the first of the bateships to be equipped with the
new skeleton mast. which is to be part Of the
fire central equipment of all American battles1ips.
In the case of the Idaho and of the other
sells which in commission only of these
masts will be erected. The ships which
building viii have such masts taking the place
of the older so-caled military mast which is heavier
and dangerous, and which is row declared to serve
no useful purpose. The merit OF the new mast is
that ii offers the greatest possible resistance dam
age by gun1re, being constructed of heavy strands
OF metal so arranged to maintain adequate sup
port Of observers at the top hundred and fifty
feet above the level The experiments which
were conducted with the old monitor Florida in
Hampton Roads months ago demonstrated
that this type of mast could be brought down
early in action at least. This skeleton mast has
been discussed with much animation by the experts.
and the adoption the structure represents the
mination of one of those controversies which
suited III the conference Of line officers and naval
constructors at the Naval War College at Newport
in September. The familiar characteristics Of the
battleship viii be radically changed by this
structure. The ships of the Atlantic feet their
arrival in this country will proceed 70 the navy
yards for overhauling and repairs, and important
part of the alterations will the erection OF these
ulasts.
THE NEWPORT CONFERENCE.-THE Navy
Department has under consideration the general
publication OF report, at least in part Of the
suits of the conference OF naval line officers and
naval constructors held at the Naval War College
at Newport in August and September The report
has been printed. but is confidential at present
The session was intended to last week. but the
discussion extended than six weeks. The
officers who were considered as responsible for the
discussion have made known the letter Of Com
mander A L Key. L. s. N, which served SIS
basis of the session, and which communicated to
the Navy Department large number of alleged
defects existing IN the latest types of battIeships
The general result of the session was changes in
certain internal characteristics CT the designs of
the Florida and the Utah. as compared with the
designs Of the Immediately preceding battleships.
But the conclusions Of the conferences were not
radical as had been expected by the critics who
variously known insurgents and Simans a
title adapted from the most active and prominent
Of the critics. Commander W S. Sims, L. S N,
the naval aid to the President and inspector Of
rife practice in the navy. Claims made by both
sides to the controversy Of ample justidca ton and
il Is considered by impartial officers that the
situation would be decidedly benefited by the pub
LEGATION Of the findings of the Newport conferrees.
IF the Navy Department does not make the report
CT its salient features known it is expected that
call viii be made by Congress for the document
SOLDIERS TO BE TRIPLE sHOD-Tbe en-
listed men of the army will have additional pair
Of shoes. making the third pair. which will here
after he part OF the regular clothing allowance.
This IS the result Of representations which have
been made by experts that the army shoes did not
sufficiently take into account the fact that there
was such thing a military foot" requiring
a special type of shoes for The wear Of soldiers.
Hitherto there have been only two types of shoes
one Of black leather for wear In the garrison, and
the other a russell Shoe for marching purposes.
It IS considered that the latter not adapted TO
garrison use being heavy and Of a kind Of leather
which did not easily take on any polish Its in
the field required il be oiled II has therefore
been decided adopt q rough shoe. which is more
shapeiy being a duplication of the last of the
black leather shoe. The russell marching shoe will
be larger and of q design which takes into account
its rough usage.