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Show NEW NAVY PLAN IS UNDER DISCUSSION Matter of Promotions Comes Before House Confeaces and Precipitates Lively Debate. I WASHINGTON, Aug. 1. Sharp differences differ-ences of opinion in senate amendments to the naval bill providing for promotion of rear admirals and captains by selection selec-tion Instead of seniority, as at present, were voiced by high naval officers at a hearing today before the house conferees on the bill. The senate's change was vigorously opposed op-posed by Rear Admiral Badger, retired of the general board and Rear Admifcil Strauss, chief of the bureau of ordnnnce. It was supported by Rear Admiral Blue, chief of the bureau of navigation, in charge of navy personnel. "The selection system would upset the service by elevating men of lower rank over others." said Admiral Badger. He declared also that it practically would re-establish the "plucking" system and, In operation, was hound to lead to overemphasis over-emphasis of navy politics. Admiral Strauss said the proposed select ion plan would "tear the navy to pieces;" that not twenty-five navy officers favored It, and that "everybody would be afraid1 of the use of political influence" in the promotion pro-motion selections. ' Economy and efficiency both would be served by adopting the selection plan, Admiral Blue asserted. It would insure that young and efficient officers would bo put in important positions, he contended, con-tended, and that incompetents would be retired early. Examination of the naval officers will be continued tomorrow by the house conferees con-ferees and the conference committee will resume its sessions Thursday. |