The morning call., 1894-11-28

During the first session of the present Con-
gress an act was passed to promote the eff
cheney of the naval militia which contained
provisions authorizing the loan by the depart.
ment OF such vessels, boats and equipments as
are not required for the general service on the
acquisitions OF Governors of States possessing
regularly organized naval militia. Under this
act the department has already provided for
loaning vessels as follows: The New Hamp-
shire to New York, the ST. Louis TO Pennsyl-
vania, the Wyandotte to Maryland the Nan
tucket 10 North Carolina, the Swatara TO Cali.
fornia.
The movement is still in its infancy, and GER
tainIy promises gratifying results, but the exact
relations OF the naval militia TO the regular
service, and how the two shall best and most
efficiently cooperate In any regular plan of ma
tional defense Is not as yet distinctly marked
out. There are, however, undoub edly many
directions in which the splendid bodies OF
young men now being organized can, IN case of
need, render Elective service. We are at pres
ent affording them the fullest opportun tles for
an acquaintance with the service and Its re-
quirements. leaving it in great measure to them
selves to decide upon what will be the best and
most practicable field for their conjunction with
The navy. The department will continue TO eX-
tend all the material aid in lis power, and VIII
always be ready. by suggestions and otherwise,
to assist in perfecting any plans that may prom.
ise 10 secure the helpful and harmonious coop
Grafton OF the militia with the regular navy
The system of employing workmen at navy
yards through board OF labor, taking them
without reference to politics aud in the order
OF their application, giving preference to vet
Grams and those with former hayward expert
ence, has been adhered to. and continues TO be
commended without exception by all naval off,
GERS and others whose duties have brought
them In contact with it.
The Naval Committee of the House of Rep
resentatives has now under consideration the
subject of the transfer OF the work Of the
Coast and Geodetic Survey partly to the Hy-
geographic Office of the Navy Department and
the remainder 10 the Geological Survey under
the Interior Department. After careful per-
sOnal investigation OF this subject, begun yeflsg
ago. L am convinced that the coast survey work
proper now remaining TO be done along our
coasts can be carried on quite as efficiently and
much more economically by the Navy Depart
ment than under the Coast and Geodetic Sur
Vey.
The last Cong ress appropriated for the eX-
penses of the navy for the current fiscal year
the sum of $50, 1856, 500 y, the estimate made
by the department for that year being S27, $780,
GA o. The estimate of the sum required for
1896 is $50, 952 O2O 40. being in excess of the
total appropriation made for the naval service
by the last session Of Congress by So, 1885,
1913 60. In the preparation of these estimates
every effort has been made TO reduce each
item to the lowest possible point, and l am
convinced that no smaller amount than herein
designated will suffice for the actual necessary
expenditures of this department.
AS to The need of more vessels and the class
of ships desired, 1 repeat what was said in my
last annual report.
l beg to recommend that Congress be asked
to authorize the construction of three battle
ships OF about 900 tons displacement each.
to cost, exclusive of armament, not exceeding
$4,000, 900 each, ana twelve torpedo boats of
fro no 100 10 800 tons each, at the discretion of
the ecretarY Of the Navy. to cost, not exceed.
ing an average of $4,000.
H. A. HERBERT, Secretary.