The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-04
SECRETARY WHITNEY'S
REPORT ON THE CONDITION OF
TIE NAVY.
He Renews His Former RecOmmen-
datiOn Of Consolidating
the Bureaus.

| and care OF supplies, and states that &c
far as his power extended he had con
solidated in one bureau general pur.
chases Of the department, care and
custody OF stores, and creating q sys'
tenn of bookkeeping by which the re.
sponsibility for care and disposition
can be had. The report says: "There
is at present no real responsibility fol
the care and disposition Of property
In one bureau property account ia
kept, and in others none. Property
lost, misused or stolen cannot be
traced or accounted for, and no person
can be held Responsible. The Fourth
Auditor, in bis report just issued, calls
attention to this remarkable circum-
stance, which was also referred to 10
my last annual report. The inventory
shows very large and unnecessary
accumulation OF stores and supplies by
the different bureaus, aggrega ting over
$20,000,00 in appraised value. The
board reports between 100000 and
81, 000, coo in value to be obsolete and
useless at the present time, only en-
failing expense for keepers and con-
slant care to preserve them in condi-
tion."
Regarding the new cruisers the re-
port says: The experience of the de.
partment, in its first attempt at the
creation of modern vessels OF war, has
been such as to excite the greatest
concern aud disappointment. When
the Dolphin, Boston, Atlanta and Chi
cago were projecte ), and the contracts
for their construction entered into, it
was we'll known what speed ought to
be attained and what weight and
character of machinery Der ton of dis
placement was necessary to obtain it.
Commercial vessels had at that time at
tanned speed ranging between sixteen
and nineteen knots, and cruisers were
being built in other countries, or had
already been built, attaining the same
speed.
The secretary compares trial trips OF
the Dolphin and Atlanta with En-
glish and French boats only recently
completed, to the disadvantage of the
former. The Dolphin was designed
for its 5000 horse power, and devel-
oped less than 2200, while the
Alacrity and Surprise, English boats,
of 5000, developed 3l73 and 1919 re-
spectively. The Atlanta was designed
to attain $500 horse power, but her
engines develop less than that. The
report Gays: "These facts are stated
without any intention Of locating re-.
sponsibility or blame upon any per-
son. 1t is impossible to ascertain
where it should be placed. In con-
sidering the matter OF constructing the
additional vessels authorized by Con-
gress in March, 1885, 1t was decided
by the department to exhaust every
effort to avail itself 81. the most ad-
vanced thought and knowledge at
tanned by our own and other countries
upon the subject.
The report says the department has
accumulated large amount of infor-
nation, which will be utilizs in the
construction OF vessels in the future.
The report then gives a resume OF bids
and awards for the new cruisers. The
report treats Of armor and guns for
monitors and ironclads at great length,
and deprecates that this country
should be content to be dependent
upon manufacturers Of any other ma
ton for the fabrication OF armor aud
high powered guns.
The report says: 1t would be a great
benefit at the present time ii the APP
pointment of commission should be
authorized to lay before the next Con-
gre5s comprehensive scheme of con-
BtruCtion, such commission TO be com
posed of both civilian and naval ex-
perts fit to deal with the subject. II
Congress should at its next session
make provision for the manufacture
in this country OF armor and of high
powered guns, and should take steps
for securing broader and more intel
ligent consideration proper to be un-
dertaken, no time would in the end
be Lost and mistakes would be avoided.
Meanwhile it is my duty to call atten-
ton to the urgent necessity for imme-
diate action.
Concerning the expenditures, the
report says: In the adjustment of the
accounts for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1885, and after paying all liza
bilities for the year, it is believed that
there will be an unexpended balance
OF from 100000 to $650,000, about |
Of which is pay Of the navy |
and pay of the marine corps, showing |
an expenditure OF about $l3, 500 900, or |
upwards Of 100000 less than the ap.
preparations. These amounts do not |
include the expenditures for steel
cruisers and completion OF the double
turreted monitors. 1t is cited that
this is the first time in many years
hat the expenditures have been kept
within the appropriation. The Secre-
tary.recommends,that the Naval Acad-
amy course be.shortened. to. four years,
rs recommended by the commandment
II the academy. He also urges that
be admitted to the academy
md says: "Iuis the desire OF the depart
nent that the naval service should not
% open to any charge Of exclusiveness,
he sole exception to this sound and
principle of our national
policy. To this end 1t would recon-
mend that measures be taken by
which, under proper safeguards, adj
mission to the Naval Academy might
% given to limited number OF ap-
orentices, who would be then sub
ected to the came course OF training
md examination as the other cadets,
md who, under the application of q
inform test, should stand or fall
olely according to the strength or
weakness Of their own merits" The
OF the report in devotad IN
detailed report from the heads Of
'arious bureaus.