Omaha daily bee., 1898-05-22

| was much interested in conversation
between Mr.. Long and couple of sena-
tors who had brought with them young
and smart looking man to whom they de-
sired the secretary to give another
chance" 1t seemed that this young man
had been rejected by the authorities at An
napolis because he was suffering from pro-
gressive myopia. The practice Of the An
napolis examiners is very strict on this
point, and it would seem Obvious thu a
naval officer with defective eyesght. con-
stantly growing worse, is not a desirable
addition to the navy. Yet senators and rep
resentatives are continually pleading to
have such young men given another years
trial, in the hope that their eyesight will
be improved.
Dispatches of all SORTS are continually
coming in, and the secretary Is kept busy
between whiles debating answers to them.
Communications from the department OF
navigation, which deals with the personnel
of the service, detailing the officers to the
various ships and ordering the ships hither
and thither. have to receive prompt attcn-
tion. The bureau of ordnance makes another
large daily demand upon the secretary's
time This bureau deals with all matters
relating to ammunition, projectiles, weapons
and armament generally, and Just now 1t is
all manner of new appliances, every one Of
which receives courteous reply. The bureau
of equipment makes another considerable
call on the secretary's working hours. This
is the bureau which furnishes all the equip
| ment OF the ship-the ropes, the sails. the
anchors, and especially the coal. The coal
buying for the navy Is in itself an enor-
nous business, and the providing Of coal
stations and the furnishing Of dozen light
ers at one point or another, to carry the
coal to our war vessels, is in itself large
| task.
A Busy Bureau.
The bureau Of accounts is another branch
OF the naval service which gives Mr.. Long
great deal Of hard work. This bureau has
to do with the purchase OF supplies, which
are all bought under bids. except in cases
OF emergency. An interesting fact in this
connection Is that the Navy department Is
now fitting out q large refrigerator vessel,
an experiment never before made. This ves-
| sci is to be filed with ice and stocked with
fresh meats poultry, vegetables and every
necessity OF that kind, for maintaining the
health Of our crews. Another new feature
| of Mr.. Longs administration Is the hospital
ambulance ship. the Solace. magnificent
vessel of 1000 tons. equipped and fitted with
all modern surgical appliances. This ship
| will sail under the rules Of the Geneva
Red Cross association, and will be free from
| attack The women Of the country have
shown great interest in this new departure,
the like OF which was never attempted in
| any previous naval war.
Yet another share Of the secretary's time
is called for by the bureau Of construction
and repair. which has to do with the build
ing and repair of our ships. All the new
ships that we have been buying OF late In
other countries have to be put into con-
dition under the direction of this bureau.
1t was at Mr.. Longs initiative that the
army and navy board was established to
which the Navy department contributes one
member and the War department one mem
ber. This board is now kept busy in con-
tinuous session, and is doing a great deal
OF useful work in keeping the two depart
ments in effective touch with each other
SO that there is no clashing, but the fullest
co operation, all along the fighting line
What is called the naval war board is also
in daily session at the department. Ad.
miral Sicard is at the head Of this board
and It's other members are the leading nava
officers at present In Washington. Thii
board determines the strategic movement.
OF our fleets, follows closely from hour Il
hour every changing phase Of the blockade
at Havana. and directs the assignment o
the different squadrons.
Tedious Duties.
At half past o'clock In the afternoon. Mr.
Long makes his escape from the food o
visitors-the department doors are closed I
the general public at 2 oclock-and the
he begins to sign his mail. He is kept bus
writing his signature for full hour. durn
which time he writes his name about 80
times. Then the chief clerk Of the depart
ment makes his appearance, bringing wit
him large mass Of papers. offers Of serv
ice. requests for the naming Of ships, sug
| gestions for advice Of all kinds. No lette
addressed to the department on any Of thes