New-York tribune., 1910-09-03
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES
Military Circles Specializing on
Appointments of New Generals.
From T1e Tribune Bureau
Washington. Sept.


NEW GENERALS FOR THE ARMY
President Taft viii soon take up the ques-
tion of the appointment Of a major gen
eral and three brigadier generals Of the
army. The first vacancy in the grade OF
general officer to occur viii be on DeCem-
Der Fl. when Brigadier General Walter
Howe will he transferred to the retired
list A few days later on January s.
Major General " P. Duval who is in
command of the military forces in the
Philippines, viii be retired. He will be
succeeded in the command al Manila by
Major General + Franklin Bell, late chief
of staff. Army officers are discussing. with
animation. the identity of the officer who
will become a major general
The senior officer in the grade of bri-
eadier general is General Fred Funston
who has been in the grade year longer
than the next ranking officer. He has
been overslaughed by all of the six major
generals and some who have occupied that
grade have been retired II was thought
that General Funston. being the youngest
o. the brigadiers, and not reaching the re-
tiring age until 1929. could afford 70 wait
for his ma ior genera lship. Besides, there
has been a feeling in the army that Gen
eral Funston, being appointed from civil
life after q very short military career as
q reward for his capture Of AguinaIdo.
has been amply rewarded by being made a
brigadier general in the regular army.
All OF his juniors in. that grade are older
than ne is, and it IS expected that he viii
be again jumped in January when there
is another major general to be appointed
IF General Funston Is not promoted. II
is matter of pure guesswork who will
Ie o-s cd 41,a
President VII appoint one Of the older
brigadiers. whose service entities him to
the distinction. General Duvars retirement
and the consequent promotion of bri-
gadier viii. of course. create a vacancy in
the latter grade. and the third vacancy
among brigadier generals will occur in
March. when General F X Ward will be
retired.
It Is believed that one Of three vacancies
VIII 60 TO the infantry. another TO the cav
airy and third 10 the coast artillery.
leaving out the field artillery, which now
has one hrigadier and viii have another
IN November, when Colonel NJ. NJ. Macomb
becomes d brigadier upon the retirement
OF General A l. Myer With the field ar
tillery, consisting OF only six regiments.
occupying TWO brigadierships among the
fifteen officers of that grade. the proper
ton viii be excessive
CHECK ON Use OF AUTOMOBILES
Army officers who use automobiles in the
line OF duty when established transporta-
ton facilities are available cannot expect
the government to foot the bills unless the
automobiles he necessary for transporta-
ton Of troops or supplies The Controller
Of the Treasury to-day refused 10 pay the
bill for repairs 70 q motor car used by
Colonel Scott. superintendent of the Mill
tary Academy at West Point and laid
down a ruling for future cases
CONTRACT FOR NEW YORK DRY
DOCK SIGNED-The fourth contract for
the completion OF the great drydock at the
New York Navy Yard. the construction of
which has presented serious difficulties,
was signed at the Navy Department to-
day. The latest contract changes the
method Of remuneration to the contractors
Holbrook, Cabot & Rollins, of Boston. at
present at work constructing the dock.
Owing 10 the insufficiency Of the appro-
preparation by Congress for the completion
OF the dock. the government entered into
contract with the Boston firm for its con-
stTuCJion. payment TO be made on q cost
plus 10 per cent basis The government
was given an option. should the limit OF
cost be increased, 10 substitute a new con-
tract. That was done to-day.
The constructors under the provisional
contract have been paid S877.000. and under
the contract signed to-day the work is to
he completed for an additional $1,189,OO0.
About sz%5.ooo has been paid to other con-
tractors. who had failed TO finish the work.
thus bringing the total cost of the struct-
IRE 10 about S2,500,000