New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-03

Secretary Meyer for Business
Methods.
From The Tribune Bureau J

washington. April :.
A QUESTION OF CLAIMS.-The naval
appropriation bill. which is being consid-
cred by the House contains a provision
authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to
settle all claims for damage 10 private
property b. naval vessels where the
amount involved is less than $500. Numer
Gus small claims arc presented for damages
caused by collision with merchant ships
pleasure craft and wharves. There is 10
appropriation from which the Secretary OF
the Navy may pay the cost of repairs or
make good damages IN any case where
vessel of the navy is at fault. Such claims
must be submitted to Congress, and many
drag along from one Congress to another,
no action being taken One bill now pend
ing contains nearly fifty of these small
claims, and at least one of the cases oc-
CURED seven years ago. The responsibility
OF the government is admitted only after
careful investigation of the circumstances
surrounding each case and il is clearly
shown that the naval vessel was to blame.
When this IS decided the Secretary OF the
Navy believes the interests of the govern
ment would be furthered if there was ar
appropriation from which he could pay the
amounts determined due. MIR. Meyer be-
lieves the present system reflects on the
government and gives an Unfavorable i'm
preston of the navy, for, no matter how
small the amount involved or how injurious
the delay, there is no means OF settlement
except by referring the matter 10 Congress
and awaiting its usually long delayed ac-
ton.
ORDERS ISSUED.-The following orders
have been issued:
ARMY.
Colonel WILLIAM T. WOOD, to 10Th Infantry
Lieutenant Colonel HARRY l. BAILEY. to
Major WILLIAM wEIGEI. 20 I'd Infantry.
Captain JAMES G. HANNAH, 70 18th In
First lieutenant ELLERY FARMER, to 10th
Major JAY ], MORROW. corps of ensineers,
now in charge OF 1st Portland core. Dis
JAMES Sl VII r M !fP0fsF Corps se of engneers
Of charge of ID Portland District
duty with organized militia of Massa-
First lieutenant JAMES E WARE. signal
corps. from Fort Omaha TO san Francisco.
thence on June 4I 70 RaiIippiq19fst Hles FITS! IT
signal corps. to San Francisco
Leave of absence: Captain RICHARD H.
WILLIAMS. Coast ARTILLERY, three months
from June . NAVY.
Lieutenant L Morgan. to the WABASH H..
Lieutenant b H. GREEN. detached the Mont
gomeTy, to the LamSOn-
Midshipman c E. BASSETT. resignation &C
cepted
Midshipman F. T. VAN AUKEN. detached the
New Hampshire: the Des Moines
Midshipman F T. LEIGHTON. detached the
Connecticut; to the Montana -, 49,.
Midshipman Q. c GREEN, detached the MIS-
souri,; 10 the Montana.
Midshipman f. E. SAMPSON. detached the
Michigan: to the Montana
Nidshipman a. T. BIDWELL. detached the
mississippi; to the Des Moines
Midshipman H. J. KNERR. detached the CALI
fOrnla.
Midshipman F. T. Berry. detached the Colorado
10 the TruXtUn.
Midshipman c. L. Best. detached the Maryland;
Midshipnlan F 7. CHEW. detached the Pennsyl-
Midshpman H. G.. DONALD, detached the Mary
Midshipn1an K. H. DONAVIN. detached the
West virginia; TO the Pike
Midshipman f. GUTHRIE, detached the Colo
Midshipnlan s f. HOLIDAY. detached the
California to the Paul Jones
Midshipman !. NJ. DEEM detached the Louisi-
ana: TO the New York
MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPS.-The fol-
lowing movements of vessels have been re-
ported TO the Navy Department:
ARRIVED.
March 2s-The Patuxent and the Celtic at
March 3iWTba T9ncas. at Norfolk.
april THE Caesar at Sewau Point: the Scor-
pion at Constaninope-
SAILED.
April THE Hector from Norfolk for Boston
the Mars. from Lambert Point for Maldo-
nado Uruguay: the Yorktown, from Aca-
pulco for Mare Island.