The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-07-20


last night Is q good ono, and, as it de-
velops, will receive our hearty co-opcra-
ton
THE NAVAL BOARD OF SURVEY last week
organized and informally discussed the gen
eral requirements Of the service. An out
limo plan was agreed upon, fixing the size,
classification of speed, armament and equip
ment, number and estimated cost OF vessels
to be built within limited number OF
years, equipped and ready for service in the
prescribed time. Next, the board will divide
into a number of subcommittee for the OK
animation and setting of details, for which
the board Is well constituted, as among its
members are recognized experts in con-
struction, steam engineering, ordnance and
equipment. All the designs for new vessels
in possession of the Navy Department.,
and such as may be submitted by pri-
vate steamship yards, will be carefully ex-
amined and the excellent points of each
considered. The board is required to con-
slider and advise the department. upon the
following subjects: The number of vessels,
the class, size aud displacement, the material
wood, iron or stccl-the nature and size OF
engine and machinery, the armament for each
class, the proper equipment and rigging the
internal arrangements and such other de-
tails as may seem necessary and appropriate,
and probable cost Of each vessel ready for
sea. The first weeks work consisted in
preliminary discussion, or survey of the
whole work. This week the sub-commit-
tees were appointed and their work
October /, when it will reassemble, to re-
ceive the committees report and make
up its final report to Congress The ma
terial to be had for batteries double
bottomed water-light compartments and
similar subjects have already had pre-
liminary discussion, while nothing has been
positively decided. The discussion upon
certain important points has brought out
the feeling of members so freely that the
ultimate decision OH certain matters is
clearly foresecn. 1t is practically decided
that all the new vessels will be built wholly
of iron and steel, except the very smallest
class which arc to be built of wood, and nc
composite vessel of any kind orpurpose will
be recommended. When the matter comes
before Congress it will bring up de.
bate as to whether the new iron and steel
vessels shall be built by the Government at
its navy yard, or at private yards on Gov
crnment account, az is done by the English
government, the argument being that oui
Government cannot build iron or steel yes
sells without purchasing new and expensive
plans in at least three of its navy-yards. tho
present equipment being adopted to woodcr
ship-building only, and employing new set
of workmen, while private yards are alread,
supplied with appliances and skilled work
men. The question will receive careful
consideration, both by the board and b.
Congress. The board feels confident o
| finishing its work within the limit of th
time allowed, November 4.
1t is to be hoped that the work of thi
board will have the effect of awakening
Congress and the country to something lils
a realizing sense of our pitiable condition
among the naval powers of the world ant
result in settled policy Of systematic con
struction. So far as we can ascertain thu
editor of the New York Sun is now the onl.
American citizen Of any prominence VIII
} sincerely believes that the United State
ought not to have a navy. There are fey
statesmen in Congress, who, while not franz
enough to admit, like the able editor afore
said, that they believe the United State
. ought not to have any navy, still operate
@ the same practical effect by steadily oppo
n ing any and every scheme to provide one.
3 But the great mass of the America
@ people, and with them "a majority of the
# representatives, are becoming thorough
/. alive to tho disgraccful condition of OIL
/. National Marine, both civil and militar,
n and decided movement toward recol
!. struction of both cannot long be deferre
Secretary Hunts idea, embodied in IL
existing board, is therefore most opportun
: and the character of its makeup is no lie
= gratifying than the public spirit aud el
- prise of its inception.
N T',,, SALVATION ARMY is layinp siege