The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1888-01-15
AN ~AUxrrrAsY rAvx.


TIE lHstAsss Proposed Respectively ~ LIZ.
Merrs.sn ssd Mr. W~nftshsrr~
WASHINGTON. Jan. M-The various sug-
Gestions made By Secretary whitney and others
for creating q naval reserve nom the NOR
chant, fishing. and yachting services have at
length taken definite shape In two leading
measures, each possessing claims to considers
ton.
Mr.. Merriman's bill provides for the enroll
mont Of steam vessels for possible use BY the
Government, after receiving any alterations or
additions that O Board. consisting OF three
naval officers, one shipowner. and one ship
builder. shall prescribe. The annual subsidy
to DO paid to such vessels 10 SIS per ton OF
actual displacement at trial for all those
steaminR Eighteen knots during four consecu-
tive hours, SIC for seventeen knots. SO for
sixteen knots, $3.50 for fifteen knots, IS for
less than fifteen knots. this last class being OF
prospective 9se, to such number as the Presi-
dent may indicate, as transports or for other
purposes than as cruisers. The vessels are. TO
sse ins ysss's s SnSnalSa1iy wiz WSsn 70 he az D" snaiIl.s q
station e e b determinedI 6y Board PTTeslded
ing at least ono civilian. shipbuilder, and one
shipowner not Interested in the vessel.
pr nr ii%s IL iss i'fss s I'm: on see sss san" e.. ' ashssl
p po%ef, snail g. p pssSs 70 a am sGRass sts sna v s.ss%
for service BY a Naval Board. or else originally
S Ssirsnssss; s snS shs' tI sfH ssa R,ssAs L e ss s:r
guns and equipments. Section 8 reads as fol-
irrespective use of such aaS,iary sruissrs .a.lL % 20
ssmp.ss.,icn in : p psS per ,n ssn s TO- - r. saas- tss.
a aassd II n IN; IN oD per snn s1sd. S q, ne tD Iss' s :;s.n, an, a. =
allotted on half the scmpsnsatio. Recommended for
The two succeeding sections provide that
on the Naval Register a. auxiliary cruissrs Of
are r take taken NJ for es'G use ~ The O. d fns eans mst he %;
a commission. upon which the Government
three. months. When steam yachts are en-
navy Department 5e4s raas NJ an and an then 3 s. &C exempt naS1 y fr sns
licenses. sea letters. clearance papers and
he NJ. W fna Ssase sq iii further pr.ssris.s thu.
driiied and instructed By navy ofhcers At. 4 sueS
r most a noaid p,sSSss f ss t %ay Of Pe tS SGaT ss sasoa Is I Re
leaving to the President entire author
II, psy, to and 4 evs the n ssT%s; rs e saeP of sss1;
and men enrolled in. the, naval reserve. It
is further. provided that the President may
s sdHss tRs ihs ssssblish3 1e s1 Sishs etG5 nissa s 6 sSs
at such time and under such terms rs may be
deemed suitable and convenient" and that he
even g may ,disband or discontinue the snry bces
OF any member or. members OF. the naval re-
serves, Whenever It seems to him expedient to
do So" The bill for a like purpose which was
submitted by Mr.. Whitthorne in the last Con-
gress went into q great number of details tx
ing points now committed In . lump to o1scu-
tive discretion.
Mr.. Whitthorns's present bill also seems
rather less definite In the matter OF securing
auxiliary vessels than the bill Of Mr.. Aerriman.
Perhaps the desire is tp avoid minute objec-
For example. Il may DO thought that the PRO
vision In MIR. Merriman's bill for paying 50 n
ton year after year to comparatively slow ves-
sells on tho chance OF some time using them rs
TRANSPORTS in a foreign war. will lead to
criticism. Some. Congressman may ar
que. that. even II exposed to war with
a foreign country. we should not Be
conveying armies by transports. and that there
would always be vessels obtainable for such
purposes on q liberal compensation without In
the mean time paying an Indefinite amount Of
subsidies In time Of peace. But the answer
Will be that one great object is to furnish en-
couragement for the restoration OF American
shipping. while giving in return advantages to
tho Government Besides, on general pTinci-
pies: It is wise to definitely express In any bill
OF this character, as far as possible. exactly
what is proposed to be done. conveying no I'M
usual powers, and making clear the purposes
contaminated.