The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-09-25
PROPOSE NAVALPROGRAN
CONGRESSMAN FOSS TALKS WITH
M'KINLEY.
Author of the Personnel Bill Wants
Naval Policy Board With Dewey at
Its Head.

WASHINGTON, September S.-Rep-
resentative Foss, who has been abroad
investigating naval conditions existing
in European States, was at the White
House today describing the results of
his observations to the President.
While abroad Mr.. Foss talked with
Admiral Dewey and there is reason to
believe that he will endeavor to secure
legislation organizing a naval policy
board the president of which shall be
Admiral Dewey. Up to this time, Sec
rotary Long has not contemplated rec
ommending the formation of such
board though it has been suggested by
Admirals Bradford and Melville, in the
event of the consolidation of the Blu
reaus of Construction and Repair,
Equipment and Steam Engineering
In support of his proposition for or
ganizing the policy board, Mr. Foss
said:
Il am convinced that we will have TO
adopt some system about building up
our navy. We cannot go along building
battleship one year and none next
now building torpedo boats and then
leaving off their construction. At this
rate we will soon have topheaviness
in one class of ships and shortage in
others. This means, | insist that we
must have system about shipbuilding
and that what is necessary is a naval
policy board.
II found the greatest activity in all
the navy yards of the Old World. 1
think we must also commence the cree
ton of important stone docks. In Eng
land stone is used altogether in the mi
mense docks. England builds her docks
for eternity, while we build for time.
Following are some of the innova-
tions Mr.. Foss will advocate, and sew
eral of them are likely to be embodied
in 10 presented Congress
next winter:
A naval policy board, to formulate a
harmonious plan of naval construction,
to run through a series of years; a
great system of national naval reserves;
new naval administration for navy
yards: naval barracks for seamen
ashore; new system of rewards for
deeds of heroism, perhaps by awards of
medals. similar to foreign decorations;
system of stone docks.
"Our navy is in its infancy explain
| ed Mr.. Foss. 1T is being built piece
meal and without any defined program,
| The plan of one year may be changed
| by Congress next year. There should be
! a board of naval experts to determine
what kind of navy the United States
| should have, and formulate plan OF
construction that should extend over a
number of years. Such a system would
| give a navy built for specific ends and
on harmonious, well balanced lines
with due proportions of various types
of war vessels. The recommendation
of such a board would command the
confidence of Congress and would save
that body much experimenting anc
laundering. l would like to see Admira
Dewey at the head of such board.
have become convinced that the Amer
lean people want a great navy and tina
they will give money freely to builC
one, but we should not go on in our ole
haphazard way. European nations hav
greater experience than we becaus
they have larger navies. and we cal
easily get the benefit of their tests AM
their mistakes and triumphs"