The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-11-25
AUXILIARY NAVAL FORCE.
REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT Score
TARY or THE N1pK.


Defence OF the Departments Selection Of
Vessels and of the Price Paid for Them
of the War College to Annap-
o~lis-National Naval Reserve Advocated.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 24.-At the suggestion OF
Secretary Long. Mr.. Charles H.. Allen. the As
slstant Secretary Of the Navy. has submitted
a report OF the work Of his cnlce In the past
year. Mr.. Allen succeeded Col. Roosevelt as
Assistant Secretary and continued the work
which Col. Roosevelt had undertaken to put
the navy In thorough condition for engaging
IN hostilities with Spain. without referring
directly to the criticisms which have appeared
in newspapers concerning the purchase OF
vessels for the auxiliary navy, the Assistant
Secretary makes an earnest defencs OF the
action OF the department in regard TO the Sc
lection OF the auxiliaries and the prices paid
for them. He says:
'Inasmuch as the purchase Of vessels from
the merchant marine-yacbts. 6o.-was con-
Quoted by this office. It may be remarked that
this work was managed with the utmost care
as regards selection OF vessels for their
strength and adaptability to naval uses. as
well as with respect to the price paid. The
majority of these vessels we're inspected by n
board OF which Capt. Frederick Rodgers. U.
$. N. was President. and | take pleasure In
commencing the intelligence and fidelity
with which the work Of this board was carried
out. In other cases special boards OF officers
were appointed to conduct the inspection.
What l wish TO emphasize especially is the
fact that no vessel was purchased until afterit
had been thoroughly inspected and had been
pronounced thoroughly satisfactory by on
GERS whose professional training made them
experts.
when we began the purchase Of these ves-
sells there was scarcely any competition. and
it is possible that prices were higher than
could have been secured IL It had been prac-
ticable to wait until competition brought lower
figures. But 1t must be remembered that the
law OF supply and demand holds for the Gov
eminent as well as for private individuals.
and that true economy and the best interests
OF the Government made 1t the correct policy
to pay a higher price for a vessel when her SER
vices we're vitality needed rather than TO suffer
the Governments interests to be jeopardiZed
by waiting for a lower price. Not very long
after the purchasing began the competition to
supply ships became very active. and the de-
artmen was then. enabled TO get vessels at
very reasonable prices.
of friends of tho Government at the time of its
need. IT Is a pleasure to record the fact that
two Of the. vessels added to the auxiliary. fleet
were the free and unconditional Gift OF the
owners. The Free, Lance early in the war
accepted by the department. put into com
mission at once, and gave excellent service
througho1Gt the war var NJ. The &s Bucsaaeer was
also paid for the exterior alterations neces-
sary to At her for service. Both these ves-
practicable after the signing Of the armistice."
Mr.. Allen, also calls attention to the fact
ganization and conduct Of the auxiliary naval
force, together with the purchase Of auxiliary
vessels for that service. only S72O.639 was
OF the Naval War College. which he com
me.nds highly. Mr.. Allen saws:
step is the transfer of the college from its
present location at Newport to Annapolis.
where it will form a post;Graduate course for
midshipmen. after completing their four years
course. will at once take up the studies Of the
considerable experience who are prepared to
assimilate with, advantage the course of in
such study. Annapolis oilers many advan-
place. it will bring our naval educational in
situations into line with what the experience
OF our great universities has shown to be the
best plan. In none Of them has the idea ever
should be located in n place entirely apart
from the undergraduate. work.
the War College a sa Great sID deal Of Of careful care tHm t6oaaH 1t
and have conferred with "A number Of officers
who have. the best interests OF the service at
heart. and these officers have assured me that
aiding me college 70 do is finest work"
IL loIlldIlbH vi d IulloIul naval T6StTNe i
warmly advocated by the Assistant Secretary.
who says:
really been the only opportunity we have had
with the system Of an auxiliary naval force or
Ranized as a naval militia. and while such or
showed the greatest patriotism and an earnest
desire to render service 70 the Government.
ments Of weakness. which. under severe stress
ana against a powerful enemy. would have
caused greatanyiety; that for the actual needs
Of wnrShinS and Elph An Ni1iaf rios AZ Nynra rn-
auired for deep-sea work there was needed a
reserve which could be promptly mobilized
would be so enrolled that such a call could be nj
once sent out TO the individuals making up
Thus the attention OF all has been turned
to a national naval reserveIa body of sea.
and daily Tyn training 9f make a9' them g more SSs@ or lsss
familiar with sea work, whose status should be
that 81 a body of men directly under the con-
absolutely out OF the Federal appropriations,
cred. as complications OF that sort would lead
to friction, which could only impair the eff
cheney Of the force as well as tend to a divided
~ ~" T S,I bureau sn % Of SSS9ydiSg29ti ion will n, Rsk ant author,
sufficient number for the present vessels Of all
classes. There are. however. in process of con-
struction and under repair. but not in commits
sion:
g battleships, requiring each 400 men ....... 500
4 MONITORS. requiring each 17B men ......... 7O4
II torpedo destroyers, requiring each 80 men. D8o
% torpedo boats. requiring each 20 men. ...... 40
StS.npti 800 80
Atlanta, $50
HarttJrd zoo
Y YSsHypp. 1870
Total $3.50
crew OF $50 men on board. ......."""""".I.1o
Total: