Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-26
PERSONNEL Of NAVY
Continued from First Page


from the list. Adequate provisions are
made to guard against sudden fluctuations
in the personnel
The ratio provided is 100 men and FIVE
line officers and midshipmen for every 900
tons Of ships. including ships authorized
and building, The principle being followed
that it takes as long to train the midship-
men and enlist and train the men as it
does to build the ships.
With 100000 tons of ships, as now
authorized the ultimate personnel would
reach 5000 line officers and midshipmen
and 6O,GO enlisted men, but under the
measure as drawn the full authorized
strength of officers and men cannot be
reached for a number of years to come,
nor in any case except with the approval
of the Congress year by year.
Drawn From Naval Academy.
The officers, as now, are to be drawn
from the Naval Academy, with certain
additions from the ranks, as authorized
by existing law; but 1t is not proposed to
increase the present size of the Naval
Academy classes, and 1t is estimated that,
under present conditions, it will take
about eight years for the full strength OF
officers to be reached.
As regards the men, the present author
lied strength is 1850. The current esti-
mates provide for Al 500. which estimates
are not to be altered. In future years, IT
approved by Congress, the number can be
brought up gradually to the proportion
required for the actual ships. the present
measure not authorizing any increase.
After the grades of officers assume the
fixed proportions set for them, there will
be an excess In the upper grades due to
promotion for length of service. Each
July 4 board of high ranking Officers
recommends sufficient retirements to re-
duce such excess.
Depends on Length OF Service.
The rate of pay for such retired officers
will depend on length of service. After
eighteen years they would get about one
fourth pay, after twenty years about one
third pay, after twenty-four years about
one-l1af pay and after thirty years three
fourths pay
The method of retirement Is an i'm
portant part of the proposed plan AZ
present too many officers reach the high.
est grade and retire with the rank OF
senior rear admiral, without adequate re-
turn to the government.
The present personnel law of 1879 has
been In operation eleven years. In that
time 3O4 officers have retired from age,
length of service or by operation of the
law. In the next eleven years. II the
proposed measure becomes operative.
there will be about 1913 retirements from
the same causes. at cost of less than
one-half the former 3O4.
The lengths Of service proposed for
line officers in the various grades will
bring promotion, at the latest, at the ages
set forth following:
junior grade, .; lieutenant, %: lieutenant
commander. So: commander, ~; captain,
At; rear admiral. 55.
The staff corps are put on the same
basis as the line. as nearly as the re-
auirements of the different corps Will
permit.
No Immediate Increase.
In drawing up the measure which I
have approved prime consideration was
that there was to be no immediate in
crease in expense, nor, except for au-
thorized increases in ships any eventual
increase.
On the basis of tonnage any increase in
both officers and men must be authorized
each year by Congress when 1t authorizes
ships.
The saving in this measure is principal
ly in the retired list of the line. Under
the present law and that which preced-
ed it, most retirements were from the
higher grades at the higher. rates OF
pay. Under the proposed plan, with 'the
exception of the captains already due for
no increase of rank is allowed on retire
ment, and retirements will be distributed
along the grades at rates of pay which
depend on length of service.
Finally, I wish to emphasize to the
Congress that this measure Is intended
primarily to reduce the ages of the Of
ficers in the senior grades OF the line of
the navy, and TO secure more efficient
captains and flag officers.
Incidentally, 1t is intended to increase
the efficiency of the staff corps by pro-
tirement for them and some increases
which are necessary.
Suggestions Withheld.
While it might be possible to include
Improvement in some other minor details
of the line and staff corps. these matters
are not directly concerned with improv-
ing the military efficiency Of the fleet
and ] deem it best not to complicate the
desired improvement by introducing them
at this time.
The wisdom of the Congress, urged by
the overwhelming voice Of the people OF
our country, has provided US with ships
OF the best quality 1t Ia necessary that
our personnel of officers match these SUI
perb vessels If the navy IS to be at the
efficiency which Is vitality necessary fol-
it's chief purpose and only reason for eX-
istence.
/ earnestly urge upon the Congress the
passage of suitable personnel legislation.
WIN. II. TAFT.
The White House, February 26, 1910.
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