New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-12
PROGRESS OF THE NAVY.
SECRETARY. TRACY SHOWS THAT TT HAS
BEEN REMARKABLE.
DISCOVERIES IN ARMoR PLATE WHICH STRIPPED
EUROPEAN NAYIES OF THEIR DEFENCE
EMPLOYEES. PRoJEcTILEs AND
GUNs-A SELTPRoTECTING
MERCHANT MARINE.


1BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSEJ
Washington Dec H." II has been the endeavor OF
he DerartnLnt TO leave unsettled no questions OF
serious Importance presented to-day by naval science
in its application TO construction, armament and equip
nents This brief sentence from the closing para
graph of the Secretary of the Nays annual report Just
issued epitoinizss with admirable force the policy
which through four years has governed the operation
Of The Department which General Tracy is soon TO re-
Mnqr-sh TO another hand Looking back TO the results
accomplished during his term Of Office almost ended,
the outgoing Secretary well afford 10 invite
Judgment on his work. 1t would be difficult TO ex-
aggerate the value OF Secretary Tracys administration
20 the new American Navy and 10 naval progress gen
orally on this size Of the Atlantic. The great work OF
rehabltating the Navy Of the United states Deguil
under Secretary Chandler and continued under sccre-
tary Whitney has fallen In the fullest measure upon e
shoulders Of the present Secretary
When Secretary Tracy took the once there were
only three modern vessels Of ready Tor service
The bushes, methods pursued IN tbs department. ana
AT the navy var0s n,ihcT efficient nor progressive
and the demand Of the country for ludci0us increase
and Improvement IN ships nd the reform oil al
mnistraive methods had barely begun TO be computed
With. Today there twenty-five modern vessels In
commission, while nine additional vessels, none OF
which In speed, aruior and armament has superior
In any forern navy promise be ready for Launching
within the next twelve months. Business methods
have been improved and simpihed, better system OF
supplies and accounts has been adopted, while by
the timely extension of the Civl Service rules 10
govern the employ ment Of laborers In the navy yaros
the efficiency of the force IN the Government yards
has been greatly Increased, and the character OF the
work done nOtceably advanced. The progress maze
in this country in shipbuilding and manufacture OF
armor projeces high explosives. enlokeless powder
and all the implements Of modern warfare, as Wen Us
in the construction and improvement OF COCKS,
wharves and other public works, and the successiuI
carrying into effect Of these various administrative
reforms during last four years are fully and care
fully set forth In the annual report printed DeiO"
Americans who have proper pride III the roilaoiil-
ration Of the Navy will what the secretary mas
70 say with equal interest and satsiacilon' ~ MI
crafty them 10 know that the art OF steel smpDund-
ing in this country has now advanced 70 slaee at
which builders OF steel Ships nere may suceesaIuiH
compete with Oldct establishments abroad 1uc
Secriary gracefully Acknowledges his obligations 10
Assistant Secretary Solely, 10 whom, he says, are
chiefly due the improved methods adopied by the
Department during the present ADMINS uatioa' ny
Which its business has been greatly simplfed y d
facilitated a high tribute is also PAID to the hoiOr
and INTEGRITY Of officers OF the Navy, whom he refers
10 as men OF great character, ability and devotion 10