Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-12-07
INCREASE or CORPS OF NAVAL
CONSTRUCTORS

ed ny law Is 40. This number is reported
by the chief of the bureau of construc-
ton and repair as insufficient to perform
the arduous. Increasing and responsible
duties devolving upon the construction
cnrns with the large amount Of construC-
ton which is at present i'm progress. it
is therefore recommended that this limi-
tation as TO the number of constructors
be removed, and that 1t be left to The dis
erection of the secretary to appoint to this
corps, from graduates of the Navy Acid-
emy, such additional assistant ronstruc-
tors as the demands of the service make
advisable
1t has been the custom of the depart
mtnt for a number of years 10 select two
or three young men from among the
brightest graduates Of the Naval Academy
and send them abroad for a post-rradr-
ate course IN naval architecture Ey this
system the corps of constructors has been
brought to high state Of efficiency.
/ INCREASE or CORPS OF CIVIL
ENGINEERS.
Attention is invited to the recommends
ton of the chief of the bureau of yards
and docks that the grade of assistant ciVli
engineer be established in addition to mat
OF civil engineer, and that the number OF
officers of the corps of civil Engineers be
increased to 80 At present the corps IS
comuosod of 81 officers, all of the grade
fci,nt for the proper conduct of the work
of designing, building. and MAINTAINING
the public works Of the navy. There are
at present four craving docks of the
largest size and one steel dock under con-
Structiuu, and others may be authorla H.
Many new buildings are also III process OF
contemplation of construction at the VAR
Gus navy yards. and a number of n" w
yards established in our recently acquired
possessions dcmard the attention oil
civil engineer. The duties ocVolVing upon
the bureau of yards and docks, therefor,
have been greatly increased. ana larger
staff of civil engineers is necessary ii Il
proper supervision is TO be main'ainod
over the important improvement, which
require careful. watching while in progress
and constant attention after completion
AMERICAN REGISTER FOR VESSELS
PURCHASED From THE GOVERN
MENT.
Several Of the foreien-built vessels that
were bought by the department during the
Sparish-American war We're afterwards
offered for sale, as provided by law ana
bid upon but We're subsequently WIN
drawn from sale owing to the fact mat
the treasury department, acting in accord
afre with an opinion of the attorney
cral, refused. although the bidders were
American citizens, TO grant registry III
such cases on the ground that the stat
utes governing such matter excluded
them from the privileges granted to YES
sells of domestic build.
Therefore, in order that purchasers oi
vessels of the kind referred TO my he
given the benefits of the shipping laws, il
is necessary Congress if il approve ol
such action. enact "A measure proNldmA
that all vessels hereafter bought ~
American citizens from the government
no matter where built or how procured by
Ia. lodi lty ~ nj Il
chase to all the rights and privileges al
lowed by law 10 vessels built III the I'm
ted States.
NAVAL. RESERVE
a..
The department submitted hlll 10 th'
, last Congress- for the organization Oh d ma
tional naval reserve "hlch IL Is hopeu va
be enacted into law during the 'oHli'
session. The navy anoat mas liICfe'0eu "
such an extent as TO make IL Oh great III
portance that there shouId De i@srrN
= upon which to call III Time or war, Inc OF
. ncer in charge oil the naval h'Ii-id III II.
/, annual reports makes certain recommends
tons in this connection to which atier'lo'
, is invited. 1t is deemed 10 be very I'M
; portant mat sucE reserve IepIeSsn1l'A
the whole country and related dreclly u
; the national naval establishment shodl'
be fostered and MADE READY lot call
I ARMOR.
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E,sseIs rhenrii IN eom the ormor hereto
, mas "ccn i'"Ne iCI ~. 80 -" o." 49,
WilIii S%'O " 'u ar ime r r[., No, T.