Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1892-12-15
Mr.. TRAcY'S o
Operations of the Navy Department Re-
view ed at Considerable Length.

The report of the secretary OF the navy eE-
bibits great progress 10 the construction OF
our new pavy. hen tn present secretary
entered upon his duties only ihreo modern
steel vessels were In commi Sion. The vessels
aimee put iu commission and to be put In COM
thiEsioh during The ~ inter will make a total OF
nineteen during his administrations OF the de-
partment. During the current year ten war
vessels and three navy tugs have been
launched, and during the four years twenty
five vessels will have been launched. Two
other large ships and q torpedo boat are un-
der cOutre ct and ths work on them well sd-
vanced, and the four monitors are awaiting
only the arrival of their armor. which bias
been unexpectedly delayed, or they would
have been before this in commission.
Building Up the U. S. Navy.
Contracts have been let during this admin
istration under the appropriations for the IN,
crease of tie navy, including new vessels and
their spp1rteDanCes. to the amount of SSt,.
CQO,00, and there has been expended during
the same period for labor at navy yards upon
similar work $50 co.. without the sma al est
scspdal or charge Of fraud OF partiality. The
Enthusiasm and interest OF our naval officers,
10th Of the rtafT and line, have been greatly
sIndled. They fs.bouded taGghifcently TO
the confidence Of congress and have demon
EtTattd 10 the world an unexcelled capacity TO
Construct, In ordnance and in everything in
NOlNeu III the rQuiRplus ), putiuius anu ain
Of great water ships. At the beginning of
Secretary Tracy's administration several
difficult problems remained TO be ~grappled
with and solved before the efficiency
In action Of our ships could be secured.
Looking After Accessories Of War.
II is believed that as the result OF rev
processes IN the construction OF
armot piate, our later ships will be clothed
WITH defensive plates OF higher resist
irg pcwer than are found on any war vessel
HnOAt. We We're tbouI torpedoes. The
tests have been made 10 Ascertain the relative
Efficiency CT different constructions. A torpe.
DC has teeu adopted AID tie work OF consiruc
lie is alw being carried on successfully. We
wers without arnor- piercing shells, and with
cut q chop constructed and equipped for tur
construction Of them. We are now making
what is believed 10 be r. proiectile superior 10
sEy Before in use. A smOSeless powder has
been developed. and a slow burning powder
for guns Of large caliber. A high explosive,
capable of use In shells fred from service guns,
has been fcrni and The manufacture Of gun
cotton has been developed so that the question
efsupp!y Is co longer In doubt.
Facts About the New SavaI Militia.
b development of g naval militia. which
has been organized Ia eight states and brought
ictO cordial sui cooperative relation with
tie uAvy. is srotaer important achievement.
There SIRE COW enlisted L these organizations
lew zen, and they are likely TO be
greatly ex,s2ied. | recommend such legisla.
i!0n AID appropriations as WITH encourage and
develop 1913 movement. The recommends.
ucas Il The secretary will, 1 "a uoL doubt, re-
0s.ve tue friendly oous.deratloa OF congress,