Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-07

vEssHLs--TRANsrER OF THE REvRNuE MARINH
SERVICE TO THE SAvr-CHANaEs IN OFFICIAL
DESIGNATIONS AND now PROMOTIONS SHOULD
BE MADE.
Secretary Tracy. in his annual report, points
to the recent armor trials at Indian Head, Nd,
as demonstrating the superiority of American
armor over that Of European manufacture.
He concludes that the trial shows that the
high-carbon nickel Hsrveyed plate is the best
ermor ever subjected to ballistic test. He
| gives = summary Of the state of the work at the
Washington gun foundry, showing an excellent
progress. He states that n trial will shortly be
| given to recently improved Gatling gun.
Attention is called to the invention of success
ful smokeless powder during the past year by
An officer Of the torpedo station. With the
| success of the Washington foundry in mind
the Secretary urges the establishment Of nm
| ordnance factory on the Pacific coast, to be
under the joint control Of the War and Navy
Departments.
THE VALPARAISO RIOT.
The Secretary reviews the Chilean troubles
| and concludes that in the street riot in Valpa-
| raise the American sailors were orderly and
were attacked mainly on account of their ma
tlonality. Admiral Browns latest report is
| given in full.
| Considerable space is devoted to a consdera-
ton OF the needs of the country for further
increase OF the navy. The Secretary discusses
| the question of the likelihood of war and the
| preliminary steps that should be taken TO meet
emergencies. lie points to the Itata case
again as note of warning, and thus he goes
on TO recommend certain increases in the navy.
he notes that the estimates for the increase of
| the navy for the coming year amount to
s12, 100000. decrease of IS, 500, 900 from the
current appropriations, and states that much
larger reduction will take place in tine follow
Ing year, which will substantially complete all
the work In progress under existing authori
cations
He urges that authority be given by Congress
this session to build two vessels of the Indiana
class, which he praises as the highest develop
ment OF the day. He also asks for permission to
DuiId large armOred cruiser similar to the
recently launched New York He recon-
mends the construction of q torpedo cruiser
under an increased limit Of cost. For river
service on the Asiatic station he wants a small
vessel OF about 200 tons, a speed OF seventeen
Knots and a draft of nine feet, to cost S400, 600.
PROMOTIONS IN THE NAVY.
Reviewing the report of the Phythian stagna-
ton board the Secretary recommends, in place
OF the complex system urged By that body, the
adoption of the system of promotion in vogue
IN the army, and he urges that the designations
OF the grades of rear admiral and commodore
be changed to vice admiral and rear admiral.
with no change in numbers, pay and relative
rank. The number of captains should be fixed
at sixty, as recommended by the board. Under
the army system the President should be au-
thorized to select from the grade of captains
the officer who. in his judgment, Is best fitted
Tor the grade above, the same rule to hold good
IN promotions from commodore to rear ad-
miral.
that for emergencies the four-year term should
be adopted. He notes that there is now or
ganized an effective naval militia force of over
LOO men distributed among six states. An
estimate of SIS, 900 for continuing the arming
Of the militia is submitted with the hope that il
may be increased.
Among the minor recommendations are the
following: That naval cadets be made subject
to the jurisdiction of courts-martial for other
offenses than haZing; that power be extended
TO naval courts to compel the attendance of
CIVILIAN witnesses. and-as in former reports
the transfer OF the revenue marine service to
the navy.
THE NAVAL OBSERVATORY.
The report notes tie failure of the contractors
for the new naval observatory and indicates
that arrangements are now being made, under
the provisions of the contract by which the
early completion OF that plant may be assured.
The Secretary recommends legislation enabling
the PRESIDENT to appoint superintendent Of
the observatory from either within or outside
the naval service, and he also urges the organi-
cation OF an advisory council to consist of the
superintendent. its senior professor and three
other persons of scientific attainments.
TABLE OF ESTIMATES.
The table of estimates shows a total Of s27,-
1874, 639. so for the fiscal yenr ending June 80,
1893. This is thus divided: General establish
ment. 1887 .GO0 bureau of yards and docks.
81, 1888 453 AZ; bureau of navigation. 1899 43S o.
bureau OF equipment Sl,O3i, 225; bureau of
ordnance, 1854 ,04l.25; bureau of construction.
S1.Ol9, 972.50; bureau OF steam engineering.
s763. lO5; bureau of provisions and clothing,
81. Z32 90; bureau of medicine and surgery.
sl25.OOO; marine corps, $500, 53l.23; naval OBJ
servatory. S59,325.67, making a total for run
ming expenses of Slabs, 7S4SO. The estimate
for the increase of the navy is S12 2SO,S55