Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-04

lieved that such a medal, worn during
life and transmitted as an inheritance,
will be far more grateful to deserving
officers than a promotinon in rank at
the expense of cOmrade.'
Concerning armor for warships, the
Secretary says:
"The most important question per-
tanning TO naval construction at the
present time and one that demands
prompt attention, is that of the armor
for vessels now building, and for others
authorized, but not contracted for, on
account. of the provision in the act OF
March 8, 1899, prohibiting the depart
ment from contracting for the vessels
therein authorized, until contract has
been made for the armor therefor with
in $500 ton. The price fixed Is one
for which even inferior armor cannot
be obtained, and the department has
therefore been unable to invite propos-
ais for the three battleships and the
three armored cruisers authorized by
the act of March 8, 1899"
The Secretary then shows that 1858
tons OF armor are needed for the battle
ships Maine, Ohio and Missouri, about
5000 tons for the new battleships not
yet begun, and about 800 tons for the
armored cruisers already authorized, a
total of about 21.458 tons. He says
that $500 ton probably will buy ar
NOR made by the ordinary process of
face hardening, which, though good. Is
not the best, and the department does
not therefore consider it suitable for
vessels of the Maine class. After
pointing out the features of the new
process of making armor and its adop-
ton by leading maritime nations ex-
cept the United States, the Secretary
says:
1.-THE department desires to make use
of such armor for the vessels now
building which are yet unsupplied with
armor, and for the armored vessels au-
thorized and not yet contracted for"
His recommendation is as follows:
at is urgently recommended that
in the early days OF its next session,
Congress enact such special legisla-
ton, by just resolution or otherwise,
as may be necessary to enable the de-
partment to make contracts easily in
the coming year for 1853 tons of ar
NOR of the best quality that can be OBJ
tanned in this country for the Maine,
Ohio and Missouri. and that the pro-
vision of the act of March 8, 1899, linn
iting the price of armor to $500 per
ton, and the restrictaion preventing the
aTmored vessels therein authorized
from being contracted for until the ar
NOR therefor is contracted for, be re-
moved.
Whatever may be the future action
Of Congress regarding the establish
ment of a government armory factory,
it can hardly affect the supply of ar
NOR for the Maine, ONO and Missouri,
as it will under any circumstances be
impracticable to obtain it from such a
source in reasonable time to complete
the vessels above referred to-
Secretary Long refers to the return Of
Admiral Dewey and his enthusiastic
welcome from the whole country.
After speaking Of the New York re-
ception and the sword presentation in
Washington, the Secretary sums up by
saying il was the nations tribute.
Among the many topics treated is
that for fostering the naval reserve,
the consolidation of the naval bureaus
Of construction, engineering and equip
ment in the interest of more harmoni-
Jus N4OAs kAC NOASll uNA4OA VI Odl
racks for enlisted men, and a review OF
the various bureau recommendations
the desirability of changing the ma
terial of the League Island and the
Mare Island dry docks from timber 10
stone and concrete. The warships
claiming bounty and prize money from
the many captures and enga gements
during the war are set forth in detail
The Secretary says that the survey OF
the trans-Pacific cable route indicates
that it wall be entirely practicable. Il
is intended also 10 survey cable route
from Guam TO Yokohama. II is pro-
posed to supply all new ships with
smokeless powder. The twelve inch
gun has been so greatly developed that
it has been designated as the heaviest
gun for the latest battleships, instead
Of the thirteen inch gun. Many i'm
provements in naval ordnance are I'M
der way including uniform calibre for
small arms and machine guns. Work
on the designs of gunboat No. Is, to re-
place the Michigan, on the great lakes
has been suspended pending negotia-
tons with Great Britain for modif-
cation Of the treaty. Secretary Long
reviews also the various naval Incl
dents of the last year.
The Secretary gives tables showing
naval construction ROW going on
abroad, az compared with that in the
United States. From this it appears
that only Italy and Japan laid down
less tonnage than this country during
the present year and that italy alone
had less tonnage under construction.
The tonnage total under construction
IS: England. 5Sl,6s0; France. 255, 533;
Germany. .235; Italy 120.540: Japan
10000; Russia. $50; United States
1926.