The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-26
much more effective. and which IL to be
ftted to all new shell.
AMMUNITION.

AMMUNITION.
The question Of having always on hand
satisfactory sourte OF supply for powder
he's received much consideration from the
bureau. and 1t suggWts that in view OF
the lack Of sufficient competition among
private manufacturers the government
should establish and operate factory
OF Its own OF moderate capacity. Estimates
have been submitted for this purpose and
slso to provide FOR the purchase Of re-
serve supply OF powder. which, though the
expense Is large. is absolutely essential II
the navy 10 TO be maintained In an efficient
| fighting condition.
| The cost OF materials for complete sup
ply OF ammunition to once refill all the
vessels OF the navy. including the FIVE UNI
finished battleships, would be s6,b21,3S5;
not including them, 81 $3.50, 482 less.
| The cost OF ammunition for one battle-
| ship Of the Kearsait &c class is 1881
ADDITIONAL ENLISTED MEN.
While the increase OF vessels has been
constant provision has not been made for
securing corresponding increase Of en-
listed men. During the next two years
five battleships of the first class and
seventeen torpedo boats are TO be placed In
commission. Those now in commission alb
sorb all the officers and men allowed by
law. AS vessels under construction are
completed 1t will be necessary, In order to
place them in commission, TO take other
vessels out and put them in reserve Those
In reserve can be made ready for service
In few days, but to make the reserve sys-
tenn of value the secretary OF the navy
should be authorized to make additional
cnlistments, at least to the extent recon-
mended by the bureau of navigation. and.
should an emergency arise necessita.ing the
employment OF all the vessels ON the navy
list, to slch an extent as the emergency re-
quires.
1t is also important that we should be
able TO avail ourselves OF our resources in
our merchant fleet. Under existing law
the government is paying subsidies to
number OF vessels which In case of war
would prove most valuable adjuncts to the
navy but the secretary should have All
thority, II need be, to enlist men for them
and to provide officers to command them.
In this connection l, quote paragraph
from the last annual report of my prede-
cessor, Secretary Herbert:
In the opinion Of the department such
conditions should not be allowed to con-
tinue. Naval wars hereafter will be short,
sharp and decisive. Whoever may be called
upon to consider the possibility OF a sudden
outbreak of war by the United States, any
part OF which Is to be waged upon the high
seas, will be deeply impressed with the ut
ter inability of any administration under
present laws to utilize promptly and eff
ficiently, as we should be able to do, our
naval resources.
In order 10 secure better training on the
part of the enlisted men of the navy, and
also n reserve force, the department recon-
mends that there be no definite limit plac
ed to the number of apprentices, but that
additional training vessels be equipped
from time to time and every effort made to
secure apprentices frcm all parts OF thu
country. When these apprentices attain
THEM majority, such OF them as are needed
and are willing to re-enlist can be used
TO fill the vacancies i'll the enlisted force,
and the remainder allowed to seek other
employment, but still for limited pumber
of years retained on the rolls, without pay,
subject to the call Of the president.
The training given naval apprentices not
only fits them for performing the duties re-
CURED Of enlis. ed and rated men, but also
makes them valuable citizens. and even
should their oervices never be required the
country would not be the loser.
The apprentice system is working we'll,
and contributes yearly to the naval service
many very Intelligent and deserving Amer
lean boys who serve with credit and who
are a bright and promising feature on ship
board.
The efforts OF the department to Ameri-
canizc the enlisted force of the navy have
been steadily pursued and with this end
in view Temporary enlisting stations were |
established during the past summer in a
Number Of the lake cities and number Of
excellent men enlisted. The department
intends to repeat this action in the South |
ern States. believing that similar enlist |
ments can be secured on the gulf coast |
The records Of the bureau show that of the |
2S45 petty officers in general service Juno
30, 1897. AS per cent We're native born and |
SO per cent We're citizens of the United |
States; and Of the $40 other men in |
general service SO per cent were native |
born and 70 per cent were citizens OF the |
United States. 1t should be said that of |
these petty officers and men a great num- |
her are of long seafaring experience, and |
have excellent and deserving records.
The report OF the colonel commandment of |
the marine corps recommends the authori- |
zaton NJ additional enlistments. FIVE kun
bred men were added two years ago, but |
the rapid increase of naval vessels and the |
addition OF two more shore stations which |
have been established at Puget Sound
naval station, Washington, and one at Pen
sacola, Fla.,--are the reasons for this
recommendation.
INCREASE OF THE NAVY.