New-York tribune., 1909-12-12
LIN ARMY AND NAVY
Ad5dL Officers Worried by Per-
Sonnel Problem.
From The Tribune Ear-au-l
Washington nAceuhs

From The Tribune Eur-au-l
Washington. December Il.
10 ADVANCE YOUNG OFFICERS
Great anxiety prevails among naval sffieers
concerning the scheme OF personnel relief
winch Secretary Never viii shortly submit
10 Congress. That subject has been made
the occasion OF special consideration BY the
swift board. which was in session at the
Boston navy yard last summer. and by
the General Board in WASHINGTON, as well
as By number Of special boards which
have been in session at various times in
the last three or four years and have fur
nished much material for the guidancs of
the head OF the Navy Department Mr..
Never does not lack for suggestions. The
oifnculty VIII be in selecting those parts
Of the numerous and sometimes conflicting
projects which viii accomplish the end
contemplated by Mr.. Meyer and approved
by President Taft
This has all the significance of a naval
personnel policy. The proposition is to in
troouce method which viii insure younger
oincers attaining command rank There
are several ways in which this may be ac-
eomplished. including an age-in-grade re-
urement system and some more drastic
forms Of elimination. II has been proposed,
Tor instance. that officers who unger in
certain grades beyond stipulated ages shall
be forthwith retired. This would accom-
plsh wedding cut OF certain officers and
50 stimulate promotion.
II is foreseen, however that Congress
viii not agree TO any proposition which
ADDS materially 10 the appropriations for
naval pay by increases in the retired list.
II there are 10 be more retirements Mr
Meyer has been advised. il will have 10
h.
not increase the present cost OF maintain
ing that leisure class. There is no OBJ
lection in Congress 70 retirement for age,
which in the case OF the navy is al sixty
two and in that OF the army at sixty-tour
years But in TIE navy, as in the army
there have heen many premature retire
ments for disability, for ssrvice-after
thirty or thirty-fve years-and on applica-
ton or by reason OF the annual pluckng
board Any increase in the volume OF such
promotions viii have 10 command the ap-
proval OF Congress. 8Ir- Meyer has been
advised that this may be accomplished by
installing a system OF graded retiremsnts,
which shall be AT a rate OF less than
three-fourths full pay. now allowed after
retirement. II is proposed 70 institute a
scale Of retired pay governed by length
OF service It is believed that in this way
the number Of retlrements can be in
creased. not increasing the necessary ap-
preparations.
Il this is done the officers now on the
retired list VIII be confronted with the
prospect OF legislation decreasing the re-
tired pay they now receive, as otherwise
there would De inequality between them
and officers hereafter retired This posi-
5ility is viewed with alarm hy naval off,
GERS on the retired list
Another proposition in connection with
the naval personnel plan is the commits
sioning Of midshipmen on completion OF
their four years al the Naval Academy.
instead OF after the six years, which in
cludes the two years at sea This would
place the uidshipmen on the same footing
as the cadets OF the Military Academy.
who are commissioned second lieutenants
ar the end OF four years.
IL IS not expected that Congress can be
induced 70 provide for the i've vice-sd-
mirals which have been recommended by
the CHIEF Of me Bureau OF Navigation, but
the conservative naval view is in favor
OF urging at least two vice-admirals. one
OF when srau command the Atlantic and
the other the Pacific feet
ORDERS ISSUED--The following orders
have been issued.
ARMY
Lieutenant Colonel GEORGE 7 BARTLETT,
coast artillery. detailed member q General
Stah corps. 70 Washington. thence 70 At
lauta. chief OF STAFF. Department OF the
1aElt
Major ELISHA s BENTON. coast artillery.
found tncapaci-ated, Is retired.
Captain WILLIAM 4 WILSON. quarre-n1aster.
70 81 Louis as assistant depot Guarterr1aster-
Captain ROBERT O. WILLIAMS. paymaster,
from Department Of Colorado 20 san Fran
cisco. sali.ns February for Philippines
Captain Henry J. HATCH. coast artillery. de-
tailed member ordnance board, 20 take effect
10 January .. lslC. 10 New York CITY.
F5lloT ing LrcunCLlCu5 coast artillery announced
ERASMUS IL WEAVER 70 colonel.
GEORGE T BARTLETT 20 lieUJenant
colonel. LOUIS r BURGESS 20 major,
WILLIAM TIDBALL % captain
The 4th. jth. sth and 33d companies q Philip
pine scouts formed into a battalion Of in
faatry. 70 be designated 18th Battalion.
Philippine scouts and Captain ALNORD
VAN p. ANDERSON. 6th Cavalry is Sc
lected and detailed major. Philippine
scouts, command the battalion.
Resignation cf First Lieutenant GEORGE
TROTTER-TYLER. medical reserve corps,
accepted
Eeccnd l. eutsnsnt THOMAS E. CATHRO. 18Th
Cavalry. from Fort Sheridan 20 san Fran
cisco. sailing February 5. 1910. for Philip
pines
Leaves of absence First LAeutsnens QUINN