New-York tribune., 1909-10-05
ARM 7 AND NAVY NOTES
StagnQtiOn n NduaI Promotions Re
garded zcith Alarm.
From The Tribune Bureau
NNrn hin nfnn ~

washington. october 4.
PROBLEM FOR SECRETARY MEYER.-It is
proba BILE that Secretary Never will take up the
problem of the naval personnel time have
ready FOR Congress at its regular session in De-
ceinber proposition which viii relieve the con-
dition regarded menace by commissioned
officers They confronted with a period of
stagnation in advancement which is already re
garded with positive alarm The adjustment Of the
situation is by no means easy task II will be
fruitful Of animated discussion and the settlement
viii be impeded by many conflicting views
The difficulty begins with the lack Of restriction
on the appointment of ensgns from the graduates
of the Naval Academy. At time the commits
sioning of mdshpmen limited to those for
whom there were vacancies IN the grade of
sign. Others were discharged with a years pay
Later it appeared that there shortage of
officers, and the restriction Of the statute was
moved 1t has not been possible to promote
than forty officers to the grade Of lieutenant,
whereas the present output of the Naval Academy
is two hundred midshipmen year. and of course
as many ensgns who after three years are made
Junior ieutenants. where they stay
The present system provides of ex-
panding the rate of promotion from the grades of
ensign and junior lieutenant to the rank of Heuten-
ant. The advantages which being observed
in having commanders at a younger age than has
ever been the hitherto are attributable to the
former regulation of the commissioning the
graduates OF the Naval Academy. The number of
graduates commissioned ensign altogether
out of proportion TO the opportunities OF advance
ment to the grade of lieutenant, and sooner or
later. or rather sooner than later the direful ef
feet of this prepondeiance of junior officers of
rested promotion will form a hump compared
with which the Civil War protuberance is to
be mentioned In addition many officers being
retired with the rank OF rear admiral and commo-
dore. and Congress is not likely to overlook the
fact that there nearly two hundred officers of
those grades the retired list.
ii is not to be expected that any system of pro-
motion will make it possible for all officers 10 go
through all the grades, desirable that is for
uniformity of promotion 1t must become ques-
tion how the best qualified officers can be used
the greatest advantage in the service, and whether
this can be accomplished by placing restrictions on
the commissioning Of the graduates OF the Naval
Academy or by method of eIiminaton-selector
up or selection Out-or a combination of that regu-
lation and elimination. one proposition is only
TO limit the number Of graduates who may he com
misstoned 10 the grade of ensign but TO establish
an aSe-in-grade retirement in the grades above
that OF lieutenant. and finally select captains
for the grade of admiral. provided the latter
result can be achieved without incurrng the IA
voritism and employment of personal and political
pull which have characterized the appointments
Of some Of the general officers of the army. Prob
ably this selection OF rear admirals might be best
accomplished, many officers think, by leaving that
question to board of senior naval officers who
would recommend two three captains for every
vacancy occurring in the grade Of rear admiral.
ORDERS IssUED.-The following orders have
been issued.
ARMY.
Colonel JAMES T. KERR adu;apt general Philip
pines January l United States. four months leave
Colonel HENRY .. : HEISTAND. adjutant general
heaaquaTteTs DepaTjTneRt Of The East to San Fran
Jutant general Philippines Division.
Lieutenant Colonel EDWIN +. ANDRTS. I'd Cavalry,
from Fort SlocuIu. Logan.
Major THOMAS b DUGAN, 18th Cavalry, Fort
SioCum-
Captain JAMES D. TAYLOR, Jr., Infantry detailed
in department take effect October IS
Captain JOHN X MILLER. paymaser. assigned 10
18TH Infantry. o WhippIe barracks
Captain FRANK c. BOLi.tS, 9TH Infantry. detailed
Ill vacancy In Quarternaster's Department.
NAVY.
Lieutenant Commander F p. BALDWIN. TO navy yard
New York.
Lieutenant J. V BABCoCK. detached torpedo
ton Newport. leave
Bnsien B. Il CANAGA detached Virginia. home.
leave month.
ErsiSrs r. e.. GIFFEN VI. F. DRAEMEL. Mid
shipusn ". lie r HEIBTRG. 2 the
Passed Assistant H. ". SMITH, navy
Fa-d. Boston; Bureau o. Medicine Surgery.
Passed Assistant Surgeon +. o. !. EYTINGE. detached
The Wolverine; hospital. Norfolk.
Assistant surgeon T. W REED. to the Wolverine.
MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPS.-The following
movements of vessels have been reported to the
Navy Department