The Washington herald., 1916-08-21

A new system Of determining the efil-
cheney of naval officers, under which the
standing of each vessel in battle eff1clen-
Cy, target practice, engineering. ana oth-
er branches of ship work will become
part of her commanders record, IL being
worked out by the Navy Department.
Heretofore an officers record has been
founded on reports of his fitness ior
command submitted by his superors.
Any striking individual achievement or
distinguished service in time of peace or
war also went to his credit, while accl-
dents to his ship for which he was held
responsible, or Censure of any kind made
a black mark against him.
The new plan is part Of the ma
chinery by which the department is pre-
pairing to carry out provisions of the
pending naval bill, substituting seleCtive
promotion OF rear admirals, captains and
system. The department also is preparing
new examination system for Junior Of
tIcers in order to determine closely as
possible their fitness for higher rank.
According to an amendment adopted TO
the naval appropriation bill. civilians will
have a chance to become officers Of the
line in the navy or in the Marine Corps.
The amendment is in connection with
the appointment to that corps of warrant
officers, enlisted men OF the navy, or
civilians The appointments are to be
probationary for three years, and at the
end of that time the appointees may he
appointed acting officers for a proba =
tlonary period Of four years. Upon the
completion of that period they may be
commissioned
Commander Daniel w Wurtsbaugh
who for more than year has served as
naval aid to both President Wilson and
Secretary Daniels. will be assigned to
duty as executive officer of one OF the
new battlcshipS this week. 1t was at his
request that he is to be given sea duty.
Commander Wurtsbaugh will be relieved
by Lieut.. Commander Byron McCandless,
who has been on duty in the office of the
chief OF naval operations since May, 1915
Capt. William d. MacDougall. at pres
ent on duty at the Naval Observatory
here. has been detailed as naval attache
at the American Embassy in London
He will succeed Commander Powell Sym
ington, ordered to Washington to await
orders
The destroyer Davis was launched last
week from the yards Of the Bath Iron
Works. at Bath, Me. The destroyer was
christened by Miss Elizabeth Davis.
granddaughter of the late Rear Admiral
Charles H. Davis. for whom it is named
The Davis. an oil burner. will have a
normal displacement of LOS tons. will
carry a crew of l03 men and will have a
speed of thirty knots.
Capt. Clarence H. knight Corps of En-
gineers, has been honorably discharged
from the army. having failed on rock
animation for promotion after suspension
from promotion for a year. His discharge
marks the final chapter of case that
has been before the War Department for
many months.
On May 81 an order directing the dis
charge on June was issued BY an
order of June amendment was made to
make the order effective June Is. and by
orders of June 10 the discharge orders
were suspended and Capt. knight was
directed to report for examination by a
retiring board a Washington.
1t is understood that the retiring board
did not recommend the transfer Of the
officer to the retired list, and the order