The Springfield herald., 1898-12-02
REPORT OF THE NAVY
SECRETARY LONGS RECON-
MENDATIONS.
He Offers Advice on Observation-Disclosures
Ships Wanted-sampson and Schley.

moved from the usual dullness of de-
partment reports is the document just
issued by John ID. Long, secretary of
the navy.
The report teens with interesting
facts for, owing 10 its prominent posi-
ton during the war, and its general
Importance in connection with the
newly acquired islands. n narration of
the work of the navy consists almost
of n history of the nations progress
during the last year.
The long awaited official opinion in
regard 10 the work of Admirals Schley
and Sampson is also embodied in the
report. The credit. it is made to APP
pear belongs to Admiral Sampson, al
though Secretary Long leaves the read
er to form This induction after showing
the mistaken idea of Admiral Schley
in regard TO the whereabouts. of the
Spaniards.
Numerous recommendations in re-
gard TO rewards for naval officers and
the secretary's opinion concerning
reedcd legislato also appear in the
report.
In regard 10 legislation. Secretary
Long recommends suggestions in the
report of the judge advocate general
of the navy that authority be given
naval courts martial and courts of in
quiry to summon and obtain the tes-
timony of civilian witnesses: that ma
val courts be empowered to use depo-
sitions of witnesses: that secretary be
empowered to remove charge of deser-
ton; that enlisted men he retired after
three years service; examination of
men for promotion; repeal Of law on
classification of vessels: use by gov
ernment of improvements patented by
naval officers. courts to fix compenSa-
ton.
The secretary further recommends
that the transport service he placed in
charge of the Navy Department. The
secretary recommends that the bill
drafted by former Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt be passed.
The bill provides:
] l. For the amalgamation of the of
ticers of the line and the engineer corps
Of the navy.
=. For an increase of 30 officers in
the new line of the navy.
3. For regular and constant flow
Of promotion.
/. For II rcadjustmcnt of the num-
bers in the different grades of the con
struction corps.
. For the retirement of officers who
served credibly during the civil war in
the next higher grade.
, g. For n change in the title of naval
cadet To that of midshipman.
I. That the course ut the Naval
academy be decreased rom six to four
years.
/ s. For the appointment of 100 war
rant machinists.
D. That the pay of the new line of
/ the navy shall be the same rs that of
officers of the Marine corps or infantry
of the army.
IN That tho farm of ,,liyt,n.p, b.,
increased to -four years. and that all
enlisted men of the navy shall have all
the privileges now granted by law to
enlisted men of the army and marine
corps.
] IL. For reorganization of the ma
rinc corps.
This measure" the secretary contin-
: ues, lit is believed meets the views of
/ the great body of naval officers. Its
essential fairness is recognized by all.
and in the opinion of the department
its enactment will result in incnlcula-
BILE benefit TO the service"
Under the caption Rewards of Off
GERS" Secretary Long says:
THE injustice of the present system
of rewarding officers for conspicuous
conduct in battle and extraordinary
herolsm is so apparent that the depart
mCnt desires to set before Congress the
change in the present law on this sub
iect.
'As a result of the recent war, GER
tain officers of the navy who deserved
reward. and who under existing law
could have it in no other way. were
promoted over the heads of their broth
er officers who. by reason Of the no
cessity of their services on other duty
not less important. had no chance to
Santiago. This worked Il hardship In
many cases, and in some instances pre-
vented officers who are of great desert
from the chance of reaching the high
est grade of the navy.
To correct this the department rec
ommends Legislation 10 the end that
some other system of reward for merit
be adopted, so that in rcwarding one
officer injustice shall not he done to
another, and also that in those cases in
which officers have during the present
war been jumped. it shall be provided
that this shall not operate to their dis
advantage, and that they shall still
have their regular promotion us before.
Bills have been drawn for both these
objects, and will he submitted to Con
gress.'
Toward the end of the report Sccre-
tary Long recommends the increase of
lne navy III lllP IUlloWiHS ieNI.
The navy should be increased: the
development of its various branches
should be Homogeneous, and the in
crease in ships should be accomplished
by Il gradual increase in officers and
men. and in naval stations. coaling STA
tions. repair plants etc.
THE Naval Board on Construction
recommends the following:
Il. Three sea-going shcathed and
coppered battleshps of about 1880
tons trial displacement. carrying the
heaviest armor and most powerful ord
nance for vessels of their class. and to
have the highest practicable speed and
great radius of action. Estimated cost,
exclusive of armor and armament, 49,
100000 each.
40 Three sheathcd and coppered
armorcd cruisers of about 1000 tons
trial displacement. carrying The heav-
lest armor and most powerful ord
/ nance for vessels of their class. and to
have the highest practicable speed and
great radius of action. Estimated cost,
exclusive Of armor and armament. Si,
100000.
- Three Shenthpd and copDered