Evening star., 1896-12-18
N VAL EN- GlNEE S
A Hearing on the Bill Providing an In
crease of the Force.
Representative Wilson's Argument in
Its Favor and Some Statistics He
Presented to Support 1t.

1ne house committee on naval aHalrs
had meeting yesterday for the considera
ton of the bill providing for an increase
in the force of engineers in the navy. Rep
resentative Wilson of New York made an
argument in support of the measure. using
as a basis a statement prepared at the
Navy Department. comparing the compile
ment of officers-line and engineer-on each
ship in commission in the United States
navy with the nearest similar ship in COM
mission in the navy of Great Britain. The
statement Is made up from the latest
United States Naval Register. that of July,
1896, and from the latest British naval list
accessible-that of September. 1S96Vand
its complete accuracy was vouched for by
Representative Wilson. Details are given
in each case of comparison, and some sur
prising results are shown.
With a total displacement of IL, 80 tons
and a total horse power of 215,363, United
States naval vessels in commission nave
277 line officers ard 81 engineer omcefs,
while with a total displacement OF l2',590
tons and 211, ,76O horse power the same num-
ber and type of British naval vessels IN
commission have 900 line officers and "
engineer officers or duty. In other words,
the indicated horse power per engineer In
the United States navy is 1854, while IN
the English navy it Is 2.1S3, and the total
displacement for each line officer In the
United States navy is 4i3, while IN the
English navy it is 6l2.
According to the statement, the tables
given show as follows: There would ne
IA more Ell gineerS (or 10 per cent more) on
the same ships in tine British navy. Inere
would be 6S less lire officers Tor 32 per cent
iess) on the same ships in the British navy;
There are at sea 277 line officers and %
engineers on board the United states snips
named In other words. there are 33 line
officers above the protective deck Tor every
engineer beneath that structure, although
in the merchant service the NUMBERS Wouiu
about he equal. 1t is also pointed out INA,
while the engineers have artlncers 10 diu
them. the line officers have warrant Of
fcers auartermasters and numerous otner
petty officers TO assist IN carrying oh 'he
routine duty.
neer officers for her navy, and 1,I6O ine
oft1cers-a ratio of about two line officers
for each engineer. -
The United States allows i23 comm's-
stoned line officers and only 1874 engineers
a ratio of four line ofhcers to each engineer.
The statement continues:
IF the English navy is to be compared
as a standard. then the conclusion Is lneN-
liable that we should either double the
number of engineers or reduce the number
of line officers by so per cent. practical
solution would be to increase the engineer
corps 30 per cent, which would make !he
number about 300, and then cut the l.ne
down to number not exceeding 6pO. with
such numbers in each branch the English
ratio would be preserved.
That there is an excessive nuHiDeT VI
line officers is also shown by comparing the
ships possessed by each nation as the basis
for the number of officers required"
In mis- annual report Secretary Herbert
submits the table of naval strength. He
shows that England possesses 493 warships
of all descriptions. built and building, whlie
the United States has 73 vessels OF all de-
script.ons. built and building.
The vessels possessed by Great Britain
not only include efficient vessels, but also
yachts, surveying, sailing, training and
harbcr ships. One-half of the coast defense
vessels are obsolete and unseaworthy. OF
the effective vessels $50 are laid up in re-
serve.
Number of line officers, United States
navy, for each ship. $50
Number of line officers, British navy,
for each ship. 5.oZ
If the number of ships possessed by each
nation is to be used basis for deter
mining the compliments of the several
corps of the United States navy, then the
line officers should be reduced GA per cent.
No advocate of the line will agree to deter
mine the number of officers for that branch
on the basis of ships.
On the basis of officers required by Great
Britain, the line of the United States navy
should be reduced 80 per cent.
On the basis of ships possessed by each
nation, the line of the United States navy
should be reduced GA per cent.