New-York tribune., 1908-01-04
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
Mr. Taft to SaUe Many Non-Riding
Officers.
From The Tribune Bureau ]

washington, D.
RESULTS OF TEST RIDES.-The Secretary OF
War to-day said that in his conference with the
President regarding those army officers who Tor one
another. unable to take or stand the
test ride recently prescribed by the commander in
chief he had emphasized the necessity of separa-
ing those who to be retired those officers
whose services could i'll be spared. despite the fact
that they be unable TO ride the prescribed dis
tance Incdentally>the Secretary confirmed the an
nouncement made In these dispatches last night
that Colonel Marshals friends need feel no anxiety
he will be retired. and this is doubtless true
of the friends of other officers who have rendered
exceptional service and whose present duties do not
call for service in the saddle The Secretary said
that there now devolved him the duty OF pre-
pairing an order which should provide for the re-
tirement officers who have been found to be phys
icalIy unfit while at the time IL eliminated
from the retirement provision those who are 10 De
retained the active list Speaking of legisla-
ton for the army. the Secretary said that he be-
leved the army should be increased. but IN
of the fact that with the present pay table 1t
was impossible keep the force recruited up to its
authorized strength he would deem it inadvisaoie
to urge an increase for the present. but would
rather devote his energies and influence to procur-
ing the enactment Of the service pay bill
PNEUMATIC TOOL TESTS.-An important test
is being held at the navy yard at Brooklyn with
samples of pneumatic tools submitted by some If
rival firms from all parts of the country which
are seeking annual contract for these articles
to be delivered at Eastern navy yards. Ine con-
tract is worth about $4,000 a few months ago the
Navy Department held similar test and awarded
a contract which led to numerous protests and ap
peaIs from firms. which represented that their prod
better than the tools which had been
adopted 1t was decided by the Secretary that in
awarding the contract for the larger quantity OF
the TOOLS anticipating the demand for an entire
year the navy yards along the Atlantic Coast,
there should be another opportunity afforded TO
all the makers of the devices to submit their SAM
pies with prices The test is be exhaustive
one. and is expected TO determine without question
occasion for further appeal the type of pneu-
matte tools of various he used at the navy
yards. The pneumatic tool has come into general
use and has facilitated the work at the govern
naent repair plants
ORDERS IssuED.-The following orders have
been issued:
Colonel MEDoREA CRAWFORD. coast artillery corps,
ca efPalRIee D5SssfT sa Pc o HeT Teed ss
Brigadier General CULVER G sNIFFEN, Payraster
Colonel ROGER BRINE, ordnance department.. to COM
mand Sandy Hook proving grounds
NAVY.
Lieutenant D LYONS. detached the Barry. home
MARINE CORPS.
to United states. February 10.
First entenaat w Rs9L detaened acne aS nsuy y1si s
Second Lieutenant c. ANcRUM detached the West Viz
ginia: TO marine barracks navy yard Mare Island
MOVEMENTS OF WARsHIPs.-The following
movements of vessels have been reported to the
Navy Department:
Ian a-The Denver at OIongar-o: Sioux
SAILED.
Jan 2-The Nebraska from Francisco Diego
the Apache, from yard, New York. TO destroy
The placed Of commission at Norfolk yard 10th
inst the severn ms =
navy yard, League Island ID inst