New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-21
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES
surgeon Generals Recommendation
to Check Disability Discharges.
Iron Tbs Tribune Bureau


Washington August %.
To Be EXAMINED AT DEPOTS.-The military
authorities have become exercised over the large
number Of enlisted men who are being discharged
from the army for disability. This is a decision
which has hitherto rested with the department.
commanders. on recommendation OF company on
GERS and post surgeons. who find when an enlisted
man is physically disqualified for service. Tho
ceptance of a recruit depends upon his first class
physical condition. He is carefully examined by
the surgeon, and candidate for enlistment In re-
jected If it appears that he is likely TO be-
able to serve his three-year term Of enlistment
The large number OF soldiers who have been re-
ported physically disqualified after a short period
Of service has been brought the attention of the
War Department. and the surgeon general OF the
army has made recommendation which will tend
to reduce the number OF discharges for disability
This will have a direct result on pension expendi
lures, because the surgeon general says. every
man discharged account Of disability can be
counted certainly applicant for pension. and
probably successful one II has. therefore, been
decided that when soldiers recorded dis
qualified for service they shall be to the
est general recruit depot. of which there 1ve
one OF them being at Fort Slocum. New York
Here the soldier will be examined, and IL found
untitled for service will bs discharged for disa-
bility. IT is believed that result fewer men
will recommended for discharge. This important
condition brought about by the representations
made by the surgeon general. who. in his COM
munication the subject. said:
Under the established practice virtually every
examination and certificate of a single medical
any case being practicabie because the chief med-
cal officer OF the department 10 whom the papers
remark and recommendation. has opportunity
to examine the man and has no means Of forming
OF the case, except the bare certificates OF the
him as unfit for service. The consequences is that
this certificate is nearly always accepted at its
face value and determines the action to be taken.
II the medical officer has erred in his diagnosis
prognosis OF the case. through lack OF experience
made an unwarranted certificate in complaisant
EFFORT TO AID COMPANY 20 ger be srs 9
likelihood of the facts in the case being
effect upon post surgeons Of thorough and prac-
teal medical review OF the cases in which they
have certified TO dsqualifying disabilities Is en-
tirely lost.
rnIraI William t. Swinburne. who holds a longer
record for sea service than any of his contem-
poraries, will be transferred 10 the retired list
April "a when he will have attained the age Of
sfxty-two, and served in the navy for forty-three
years Twenty-six OF these years he spent at sea-
Admiral Swinburne's retirement does not leave a
vacancy in the grade Of rear admiral He is an
extra number, and received his promotion because
OF the conspicuous part he played in the Spanish
American War. Admiral Swinburne has had a
long and notable career in the United States navy.
He promoted to his present rank July 2. 1904
The following month he detailed commander
in chief OF the Pacific squadron, and IN such
city served until short time ago. when he
assigned to duty at tho Naval War College. at
Newport, r l.
ORDERS IssUED-The following orders have
been issued
Colonel EDWARD B. PRATT. 30th Infantry. san
Francisco. for examination for retirement
Major PAUL SH1LLOCk medical corps, from Hoo
First Lieutenant JAMES s BRADSHAW 5th Field
ArtiAsry 70 Ghieas9 tor examination Tor rssirsnsn
Philippine scouts accepted. take effect August
Dental surgeon HAROLD o. SCOTT. from Philippines.
Leaves OF absence: Major DEANE c. HOWARD. medt-
cal 1orps, two months captain GEORGE NJ
Lieutenant FERDINAND SCHMrTER medical
corps, four months.
Rear Admiral ". T. swINBURNE retired
lieutenant Commander c. WELLS. the South Dakota
lieutenant W. g AssERsON orders detached rror, m.
Naval Academy TO the South Dakota. revoked.
Lieutenant L. II. HAZARD detached from the Dsnvs-
naval hospital Yokohama
Ensign A. T. CHURCH detached from tbs Cleveland: 20
home.
MOVEMENTS OF wARSHIPS.-The foliowinx
movements OF vessels have been reported 10 the
Navy Department:
Aug. 1s-Ths Hull. seattle
Aug 19-The Lebanon Portsmouth. N II the Prairia
olympia the chicago. the Hartford and the Tonopss.
At Newport.
Aug 1e-rhe Wolvsrine. from Saginaw Bay city.
Mich; the Hull. the Truxtun and the Whippls. from
Perry and the Hopkins from Seattle for Cars INLET
Wash. the Tacoma. from Bluenelds for Colon the
Dolphin. from Newport for Gloucester