New-York tribune., 1908-09-14


restricted way: but now it is realized that the
heavier-than-air machine is possible of develop
in the direction which is most desired by. ana
will prove of most value to. military strategistS
The experts who have to do with problems or this
sort will take up aerial navigation as feat-
ure which is likely, sooner than was expected a
month ago, to play an important part IN the piahS
of campaign The upper air observation. II nothing
more. will introduce a factor which must be recA-
with. especially in preventing the enemy from
gaining the obvious advantage of such exalted sur
veillance The Army War College at the Nasnlns
ton Barracks and probably the Naval war Coi
lege at Newport. r l., will add this prooenl 10
the list of subjects considered in devising the
plans of battle.
GOVERNMENT SUED FOR s6Coo.-The Navy
Department and the State Department have been
in animated correspondence for several weeks 10
ascertain to whom-a naval paynaster or consul
should be charged the sum Of about SoVp' c'alHlea
as Camages by a contractor at La Rochelle. France,
who supplied American warshp with quah-
tity of last year during the visit OF the Oteo
States ship Tennessee to that port. by soiio
error which was made by the pay officer or the
consul, the contractor sought to deliver to the
naval vessel about six times much meat as was
wanted. could be used The unit QuahII'y ol
kilo. instead of pounds, was named Ihe con-
tractor informed that he should seek 10 sen
the surplus in the local market, and ne Indue
an effort to do He failed. and. by reason OF
the handling of the meat, it became total losS
The Navy Department believed that the consul
was more responsible than the ships payrnaster'
and the question finally sent to the treasury
Department, where 1t has now been DECIDED tnat
the government must stand the loss so far as the
contractor is concerned. The Frenchman acted III
good faith and sought to discharge the contract
which had been awarded to him by the representa-
tives of the government He will be reimbursed for
the loss he sustained. 1t remains to be seen
whether the consul at La Rochelle or the pay
officer OF the naval ship will have to make eooo 'i'0
governmental disbursement IN turn IL Is HoI ca
pected that they will be so required
ALLOWANCE FOR oUARTERs.-The Controller
Of the Treasury thinks he has come upon irresu-
larities respecting the allowance for army quarters
and there is trouble brewing for those OF the ser
vice who do not carefully live up TO the laws anu
regulations That official. who has the final Word
on military accounts. has found It necessary again
TO call the attention OF the Secretary OF war |"
the communication OF quarters where public quarters
are not available and reiterates his deterniha''o"
closely TO inspect the accounts submitted wherein
payment OF under such circumstances ~ inaneN
The recent case that of payment for hire OF
room, at South Portland. Me- for fireman OF the
coast artillery corps There were no puono quar-
ters available at South Portland, and II was SHOWN
that the rental value of the room was as 10" as
could be obtained The Controller refers to his
recent decision. in which ha declared the pracuoo
., r.ntinx rooms where there We're quarters. but
which were available, was mistaken constroc-
ton Of the law. The rate OF Communication OF
quarters is SO a month for such rooms as the OF
fcer is entitled TO by his grade, and under inc
custom prevailing. where quarters were not avail
able the maximum allowance was given, so the
Controller says without regard TO tho commercial
value OF tho obtained He will not attenps
II change the present method however. except IN
seeing that the government gets the advantage OF
the nrevafling neighborhood rates for quarters
APPLICANTS FOR SURGEONS-only three ap-
nIicants out Of sixteen passed the examinations
held at the Naval Medical School last week for as
sistant surgeons and acting assistant surgeons IN
the navy I. ". johnson and L P shinen quail
aoz % assistant surgeons, and Thoros Harlin as
oct,no assistant surgeon and will join the class at
the Naval Medical School which begins us ne"
term on October /. There are at present thirty OF
6cers Of this corps will attend the school tnls
y.sr and additional examinations, which take place
rex+ week NAV add to the number. The schooi
year ends in May. and the acting assistant sur
geons must then be examined for appointment as
assistant surgeons IF they arc successfu they
will Immediately be assigned TO regular duty.
ADDITION TO FORT EGBERT-The War De-
rartrnent will at the next session o. Congress, re-
new with emphasis its recommendation Tor an ap-
proprtation 5000 with which to purchase tract
NJ land about twenty thousand acres. situated "l'hh
the limits of the military reservation at Fort Egoer
Alaska Much correspondence has been gong OH
for the last few years concerning the acquisition
of this land which 1t is desired to obtain on ac-
count of the additional value 1t Will mpart 10 'he
reservation for military purposes
IMPROVEMENTS AT WATERVLlET-im-
,o-,an+ changes are contemplated by General
William Crozier chief of ordnance of the army,
at the Watervliet On. YD Arsenal. Oenerai
Crozier recently paid visit of inspection 10 the
armv ordnance plant at that place and Drought
hack TO washington some plans for improve
IN system
p1aca the Watervliet establishment on practl-
cal footing in the way OF economical manage
ment and his observations at WaterVhe' win
the suggestions which have been MADE 10 MN
by the army ordnance officers at that place VIII
furnish argument in the estimates II Will Dc
necessarv for him TO make in the course or the
next month or two for the guidance OF congress
in making the annual provision lot the 'naihto
nance of the army arsenals. The changes winch
have already been made in the methods OF ac-
count keepng proved of great interest TO Generai
Crozier and he commended those in charge at
watervlet for their successful application OF the
system. It is proposed 20 add 10 the Iaciii'oS
for taking care of the employees at all Oh inc
arsenals The are to have clubrooms' where
thew will gather for their meals They VIII nave
,oc.ers where they will keep their clothing
wARsHIP LIBRARIES REDUCED.-Consid-
cradle complaint has been made to the Navy De-
rartment by commanding officers OF ships regard
ing reduction in the libraries furnished to the
vessels for the Of officers and enlisted men,
T, the latest assignment of collections of books
70 vessels which have gone into commission the
libraries have been reduced one-hat The of1-
,ars, libraries will be made up OF technical books
onIv with an omission of all general reading
matter Moreover, there will be no duplicates or
avon these technical works. has been usual
heretofore The officers libraries have hitherto
contained many valuable biographical Volumes
which are instructive oftentimes, than
a.IlI