New-York tribune., 1910-12-26
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES
Naval photographic Office May
Be Abolished.
lFron The Tribune Bureau-l
Washington, December

Washington, December ..
DEPARTMENT SURPRISED.-The Navy
Department has learned with considerable
surprise from the members Of the House
Naval Committee that there is a PROPOSE
| tion that next year Congress do away en-
tirely with the photographic Office Inc
naval authorities are not inclined TO be-
| lieve this rumor has much foundation, al
| though it has been known for some time
! that there was a sentiment against that
branch Of the department among members
! of Congress. especially Representative raw
ney, chairman of the House Appropriations
Committee. This attitude is regarded as
/ unaccountabIe by the Navy Department
| officials. Last year, at the instance or MI
Tawney and his associates on the Appro-
priations Committee, Congress restricted
the number of naval officers who should be
attached to the photographic Office to two
loss Of that number of officers in its
personnel. This has been a serious handi-
cap to the photographic Office. and has
interfered greatly with the progress OF ac-
auiring charts and publishing navigation
books Of value to ships of the navy. There
are four thousand charts required, en-
bracing all the navigable waters Of the
world. ard of these the Hydrosraphic Of
fee has been enabled to acquire hardly one
half When the Atlantic fleet went to Eng
Iish waters it was found necessary to pur-
chase charts on an emergency call from
the British government. If the voyage OF
the fleet had been in time OF war the charts
would probably not have been obtainable,
as they are generally regarded as contra
band OF war.
Captain J. ]. Knapp. the photographer Of
the navy, has been able to effect a great
reduction in the estimate for metal plates
10 be used in the printing Of these charts.
II was originally intended to purchase cop
per plates, which would cost s, so, 600 It
has now been found that other metallic
plates will answer the purpose. at a cost of
not more than $4,000. and this year the
Navy Department has recommended this
appropriation, which may lead to a conflict
between the Naval and Appropriations
committees, the latter ordinarily making
the allotment for the photographic Office.
The old fight against the photographic
Office by the Weather Bureau officials has
come up again, and it is assumed in the
Navy Department that the photographers
rivals have been urging the legislation
which would abolish the Hydrograph phic Of
flee and turn over ocean chart making TO
the Weather Bureau. It Is probable that If
the suggestion is found to be seriously con-
sidered by Congress Secretary Meyer will
make a spirited protest, for which purpose
he will be provided with much information.
There is promise Of lively debate on the
subject when the House reaches the hydro
graphic item in the naval appropriation bill
SPONSOR FOR THE ARKANSAS-A
daughter of the State Of Arkansas In all
probability will name the battIeship Ar
kansas at Camden, n. j.. on January ID,
despite the fact that the Legislature OF ths
state failed to make an appropriation for
an extensive participation OF that COM
monwealth In the launching. II is. said
Donaghey win probably DE asked to name
as sponsor for the vessel the wife or
daughter OF e citizen of Arkansas who
within easy access OF Camden In any
event, the department will endeavor not 10
deprive the state Of the honor Of naming
the vessel
ORDERS IssUED.-The following order.
have been issued:
ARMY.
Colonel CHARLES \. WILLIAMS. e1ss 1ntan-
try, report in person 20 presiden. Army
Lieutenant Colonel FREDERICK w. s1BLEx,
4th Cavalry. detailed in inspector gem
erals department 10 take effect uron
date OF relief q Lieutenant Colonel viii
BER E. WILDER, inspector general from
detail in that department and ordered 70
Denver Fe6rusry ~ I as,d a. inspector general,
iieved from, duty as connandant OF cadets
at Military Academy. upon detail in IN
srector generals department
Following officer. Philadelphia to read papers
on subjects specified before meeting of
yania at Hotel Walton SanuaTy s. and q ::
sd fnfany Ion Mans Mshurres r. q SS
United Stats Army 6Ydno1 and orsapissd 9s Mill
THOMPSON. ordnance department. THE
Ordnance Supply of Militia Troops in Time
CT War and Some Recent Developments in
ORDNANCE MATERIAL: Captain MONROE c.
KERTH. General Stan. "Ofncers' Schools
and Camps OF Instruction.
| Major ROBERT Z. PATTERSON. medical
corps, to Bosom. 70 read paper on Janu-
airy 20 before school for medical offcers
Massachusetts volunteer militia
San Francisco thence with his regiment to
Captain WILLIAM J. LUTz. esth infantry
assume charge OF construction work al
Fort smelling. relieving Second Lieutenant
CHARLES g. BANkHEAp. 2Sth Infantry
Captain FRED W. sLADEN. General stair
appointed commandant OF cadets at Mill
tenant Colonel FREDERICK w SIBLEY
4th Cavalry about February I.
First Lieutenant JOSEPH CASPER medical
corps. To Fort Slocurn. for duty until Jan
uaTy 20 thence to proper station:
sHEEHAN. Jr. medical reserve corps. ac-
cepted.
POWERS. 18Th Infantry. leave to April g.
NAVY.
| Lieutenant T. @. ELLYSoN detached Newport
News Shpbuilding and Dry Dock Company.
Newport News; to duty instruction In avia-
Ensign II. S. YOUNG. Ir detached the North
Carolina; to the Perkins.
Ensign Il. G.. wALLINti, detached the Perkins:
10 the North Carolina
Passed Assistant surgeon ]. L. TAYLOR. de-
taehed Naval Hospital. rhiladslphia: 10 the