Evening star., 1937-01-24

IOuuQ Quhlillcu ny pOcius SOAFCllCu
at least once each year b. promoted
by seniority is considered to be the
most important phase Of the problem.
This would postpone selection to lieu
tenant commanders who are eligible
for consideration for advancement to
the grade of commander, it would
make those selections more drastic
than heretofore and it probably would
result In increased costs to the Gov
eminent.
One vital factor to which both Ad-
miral Leahy and Rear Admiral An
drews have given much thought Is
that Of cost, and thus Of the prospect
Of getting legislation through Con-
gress 1t Is understood that II all or
good part of the plans proposed by the
General Board we're adopted, the addi-
tional costs would be enormous
Therefore, the immediate advisors of
the Secretary Of the Navy are con-
fronted with the necessity of advocat-
ing only such changes in the selec-
ton laws as will involve a minimum Of
additional expense.
Provision Is made in the budget es-
Inmates for the fiscal year beginning
July for 327 additional line and
staff officers in the Navy, to take care
of the annual increase due to COM
missioning Of graduates of the Naval
Academy in the line and correspond
ing additions to the staff. From an
average enlisted strength Of s6. 500 men
for this fiscal year, the approved
budget estimates provide for an aver
age Of 103, 900 men for next year and
authorization Of l06, 900 at the end Of
the year, In other words, the Navy
may have, by June 80, 1888, $500
more men than the average authorized
for this year and s.eeea zee more than on
J.ne So. 1887.
Eleven physicians have been ap-
pointed assistant surgeons in the
Medical Corps of the Navy, with the
rank Of lieutenant junior grade).
from January 4, 1887. They are, with
the stations to which they have been
assigned, as follows: Murray w. Bal
lenger, Harold r. Berk and Emanuel
Rollins, to the Naval Hospital, Bos-
ton; James G. Bulgrin, Thomas P.
Connolly and Stephen j. Ryan, to the
Naval Hospital. Philadelphia; Roy r.
Powell, to the Naval Hospital, Ports
mouth. Va: Marshall Cohen and
Marion T. Yates. to the Naval Hos
pitAl, Brooklyn. N. Y; Eugene p Har-
ris. to the Naval Hospital, Pensacola,
Fla. and Clark p Jef1ers, to the Ma
val Hospital, Mare Island. Calf.
The Navy Department has directed
the reorganization, effective February
/, of the heavy cruisers OF the Scout
ing Force from three-ship to four-ship
divisions. AS reorganized. these divi-
sions will be composed of the following
heavy cruisers: Division 4, North
ampton (1agship). Salt Lake City,
Pensacola and the Houston; Division 5,
Chicago (flagship). Portland, Chester
and the Louisville; Division 6. Min
neapolis tflagship). Astoria, New Or
leans and the Indianapolis. and Di-
vision I, San Francisco tflagship),
Tuscaloosa, Quincy and the Vincennes.
The Selection Board. which con-
vened at the Navy Department last
week, had been directed to meet jan
uary IL, but. due to delay in arrival
of Rear Admiral James o. Richardson
on account Of illness en- route. 1t did
not convene until January l3. The
board originally had been instructed
to recommend ITO lieutenant COM
manders for promotion to the grade Of
commander. The retirement Of Capt.
william S. McClintic for physical dis
ability on April l increased the num-
ber to be selected to Ill. The board
consisted Of Rear AdmiralS Harris
Laning, Thomas C. Hart. Adolphus E.
Watson. Harry L. Brinser. Charles r.
Train, Hayne Ellis. William 8. Pye,
James O. Richardson and Charles A.
Blakely, with Lieut. Comdr. John @.
Crawford as recorder.