Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-12-07
SECRETARY HERBERT'S REPORT.


Powers factsaud Figures.
WASHINGTON, Nov. glastonbury Of the
navy llcrberts first annual report states
| That since his predecessors last report nine
| naval vessels have been launched. while SIX
new vessels have been completed and com
miesioncd. The speeds attained on trial
were in most caac- IN excess Of the require
! ments
The total mmb.r Of scrViccabla war YES
sells now i'll the navy is #. H. of which are
arlnorcd. In addition there are 81 vessels
ON the list mostly wooden cruisers, tugs and
antlquatcd monitors that are uuscry iccablc
for war purposes.
Tables are given showing that the United
States IS the seventh in the rank of naval
powers. The secretary requests authority
to devote the Sl50,OJD authorized for tle
construction OF a vessel similar TO Che Ne,u-
wins and the construction OF three torpedo
bouts ana also recommends an increase of
the limit of cost OF the swift torpedo crusader
authorized by the act of 1890. so as to en-
able the department to have this vessel laid
down during the next fiscal year
The secretary states that the vessel, com
pleted since March /, ls5j cost S2j. 600. ij2
and the premiums aggregated 3j96 0l6. the
heaviest premium. S2UU. 600. being earned
by the New York This statement doe, not
include the Columbia and other vessels cont
plct"I since the end OF the last fiscal wear.
IN addition TO these there are now in pro
cess Of construction, or authorized to be-
built. vessels upon which have been cx-
pended S26 s01 OJG
HE secretary approves the small arms
boards recommendation that the navy be
equipped with n magazine rife of .216 cal
lbcrc, TO use smokelcss powder, which will
give muHzlc velocity of 24OO foot seconds
and an effective range Of a mile and half.
The secretary is evidently doubtful Of the
utility of the NesuviUs as at present cquipp-
ed.
The secretary says that our navy has not
yet come up to the standard that our navy
shall be as efficient when compared with
others rs that which the country possessed
before the era Of modern ships and when
our sea ports were deemed to be, as they
are not now. amply provided with for,ifca-
tons fully up to the requirements of the age.
We have now building only four vessels
which can properly be dcuominated first
class battle ships. The secretary makes a
strong argument in support of the contention
that the navy has now It sufficient number
Of cruisers and should be further strength
ened by battlcships. He recommends that
the construction of at least one battle ship
and six torpedo boats be authorized by con
gress at the coming session
The secretary again calls the attention of
congress to the alarming state of the person
mel OF the navy, and says he is preparing
plans for the reorganization of the line of
the navy. He recommends that the num-
Der of enlisted men and boys in the service
be- increased by two thousand.
Qualification is expressed at the public in
terest manifested in the naval militia. The
total number OF men in the naval militia of
seven states is 2.316
Touching the competitive examination sys-
ten OF selecting mechanic, in navy yards.
the secretary says there is no doubt that the
system OF employing laborers without refer
encc to their politics and making merit the
sole test of their retention and advancement,
Is greatly to the benefit of the government.
he report presents estimates for the next
fiscal year aggrcGating S21. SIS, 9l4. The
appropriation for the current fiscal year
was S22. jO4 O6l. The excess of these e,ti-
mates over the appropriation for the pres
ent fiscal year. is due to the fact that only
S2OOOOO was appropriated 10y the act of
last March for ordnance and armor, where
as 900 coo will be required during the
coming fiscal year