The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-05

but they include practically the entire sum
necessary 10 complete and equip all the
new ships not now In commission, 50 that
unless other new ships are authorized the
appropriations for the naval service for the
fiscal year ending June 80 1897, should fall
below the estimates for the coming year
by at least S12.O00.000.
The secretary presents, with much
earnestness, a plea for ths authorization
OF three additional battleships and ten
or twelve torpedo boats. While the I'M
armored vessels heretofore authorized,
including those now nearing completion,
will constitute a fleet which II Is believed
ID sufficient for ordinary cruising pur-
poses in time Of peace. we have now but
four frst-class battleships and but few tor
pedo boats. If we are TO have a navy for
warlike operations, offensive and defensive,
we certainly ought TO increase both the
number Of battleships and torpedo boats
The manufacture OF armor requires ex-
pensiye plants and the aggregation OF many
skilled workmen. All the armor necessary
to complete the vessels now building will
DO delivered before the 1st Of June next.
II no new contracts are given out. contrac-
tors must disband their wOrkmen and their
plants must lie idle. Battleships authorized
at this time would not be we'll under way
until late in the coming fiscal year. and at
least three years and a half from the date
of the contract would be required for their
NAAifACAAO4l- AlT EGNAEAdA9 N~eltc0 AAieit AtpN
more than Is per cent OF the cost Of such
ships need be included in the appropriations
for the coming year. L recommend that
provision be made for the construction Of
additional battleships and torpedo boats.
The secretary recommends the. manufac-
ture not only Of a reserve supply of ord
nance and ordnance material for ships Of
the navy, but also a supply for the
auxiliary fleet. Guns and their appurten-
ances should be provided and kept on hand,
for both these purposes. We have not to-
day a single gun that could be put upon
ternational navigation company, or any
other ship OF our reserve navy. The manu-
facture Of guns at the Washington navy
yard is proceeding satisfactorily, and none
OF our new ships will be required to wait
for their guns or ordnance equipment.
An important order has been issued by
the secretary of the navy. co-Ordinating the
duties Of the several bureaus concerned in
the construction OF ships. This order. X Is
believed. will secure 70 a greater extent than
has heretofore been possible. the harmonious
action Of these several bureaus. and make
the attainment Of the best results more GER
tain.
During the past fiscal year there has
been an unusual and pressing demand IN
many quarters Of the world for the pres
ence Of vessels 10 guard American inter-
ests. In January last. during the Brazilian
instruction. a large fleet was concentrated
in the harbor at Rio dc Janeiro. The Wig
orous action Of Rear Admira, Benham in
protecting the personal and commercial
rights Of our citizens during the disturbed
conditions afforded results which VIII, it is
believed. have q far-reaching and whole
some influence whenever. In Ike circum-
stances. il may become necessary for our
naval commanders to interfere on behalf of
our people in foreign ports. The war now
in progress between China and Japan has
rendered ii necessary or expedient to dis
patch eight vessels TO those waters.
Both the secretary Of the navy and the
secretary OF the treasury recommend the
transfer of the work of the coast survey
property TO the navy department. l hearth
" concur in this recommendation. Elk
Guiding Alaka and a very small area be-
sides. al the work of mapping and chart
ing our coasts has been completed. The
photographic work. which must be done
over and over again by reason Of the shift
ing and varying depth of water consequent
upon the action Of streams and tides. has
heretofore been done under the direction
Of naval officers. subordinate 10 the SUI
perintendent Of the coast survey. There.
seems 10 be no good reason why the navy
should not have entire charge hereafter Of
such work. especially as the photographic
office Of the navy department is now. and
has been for many years. engaged in max
ing efficient maps entirely similar to those
prepared by the coast survey.
The Recommendations.
1 feel it my imperative duty to call at
tertion to the accommodation of the
secretary in regard TO the personnel Of
the line OF the navy. The stagnation of
the promotion of this the vital br1nch
OF the service. is so great as 10 seriously
impair its efficiency. l consider it Of the
utmost Importance that the young ana
middle-Sgel officers should. before the eve
of retirement, be permitted 10 reach a
grade emitting them 10 active and i'm
portant duty.
The system adopted a few years ago
regulating the employment, Of labor ct
the navy-y1r1s is rig.lly upheld and has
fully demonstrated its usefulness and eX-
pediency. IT r. within tha domain OF
civil service reform. inasmuCh rs work
men are employed through a board OF
labor, selected at e1ca naVy-yard. and are
given work without reference - politics
and in order of their application. prefer
ence. hcWeve~- being given to army and
navy veterans and those having former
navy-yard experience. Amendments sug-
gested by experience have been made To
the rules regulating the system. Through
lis operation the work 1T our navy-yards
has been vastly improved in efficiency.
and the opportunity 20 work has been
honestly and fairly awarded to willing
and competent mon. II is hoped tiat IL
this system continues 10 be strictly ad-
hered To there viii soon be, as 2 natural
cOnseQue nce. such an equalization of party
benefits as win remove all temptation to
relax or abandon it.