The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-05
SECRETARY LONGS
ANNUAL REPORT
Operations and Statistics Of the Navy
Department.
VESSELS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Legislation Recommended TO Con
Cress Includes Increase in Navy
and Change in Method Of
Rewarding Officers.

The annual report OF the Secretary OF
the Navy was made public yesterday
Since the close OF hostilities with Spain
active operations have been confined 10
the waters Of the Philippines, where 1t
has been made necessary TO assemble ana
maintain large squadron.
The principal duties OF this squadron
have been to cooperate with the army
and TO maintain a blockade OF such eN-
tent as has been determined by the gen
eral policy Of the campaign LAID do""
by the War Department. Many important
expeditions have been carried out anu
few casualties have occurred
since the last annual report the follow
ing vessels. which were then building
under contract. have been conditonaly
OF finally accepted:
Torpedo boats Davis, Mackenzie, Far
ragut. Rowan Fox.
Practice ship Chesapeake.
Tugs-Penacook. Pawtucket
Battleship-k
SPANISH VESSELS
In addition 20 the new construction, the
following vessels which were sunk during
the war with SPAIN have been recovered
and added 10 the navy:
Cruiser-Reina Mercedes
Gunboats-Don Juan dc Austria. lsla de
Cuba. Isla de Luz0n. IL is estimated that
the total cost OF raising and repairing
will be 5000. while their value when
completed will be double that amount.
Besides these there has been Consid-
cradle increase in The small! craft on the
Aslltic Squadron through the purchase
or capture Of the following vessels.
Gunboats-Albany. Bolusan. Calamianes.
El Cano, GuardoquL Manileno. Mariveles,
Alnd0rO PampangO. Panay Paraguay
Samar Urdaneta, Nasco.
Tuss-Peuriloto. Rapido. sureste
Some delay has occurred on vessels
under construction through the inability
Of contractors 10 procure armor and other
material.
The report details the Improvements
made at the various navy yards. naval
stations. the c0aiius stations acquired
and discusses the questions Of prize
money. guns. powder. naval magazines
the health Of the navy marine corps.
naval militia, etc.
LEGISLATION RECOMMENDED
Among the legislation recommended Is
the following:
Three armored cruisers. Of about 1900
tons trial displacement. Of a maximum
draft at deep load not to exceed 25 feet
carrying the heaviest armor and most
powerful ordnance for vessels Of their
class. 10 be sheathed and coppered and
to have the highest practicable speed
and great radius of action.
Twelve guuboats. OF about 500 tons
tria. displacement. TO be sheathed and
c0ppered.
And, IS recommended year ago three
protected cruisers Of about 5000 tons trial
displacement carrying the most power
fIl ordnance for vessels OF their class.
TO Dee sheathod and coppered. and 90
have the highest practicable speed and
great radius of action
I'm the opinion of the Department il
would Doe Don the interest of good business
organization and economy TO consolidate
the three Bureaus OF Construction and
Repair. steam Engineering and Equip
ment under one head These Bureaus
have TO do with the construction and
fitting out of vessels. in one word. the
material of the ship 10 IS an integral
work.
The Chief of the Bureau of Supplies
and Accounts recommends that provision
Dee made for the inspection OF navy-yard
accounts in their manufacturing and con-
structl0n departments. and Tor scrutinz-
ing cases which sometimes arise of hnan-
Cial or other business entang lement or
irregularity. The inspection OF accounts
is not only good business principle but
necessary 90 prevent abuses and harm
ful practices.
METHOD OF REWARD.
The Department fenews as rec0mmen-
dation of last year for a change in the
present law for rewarding officers for
conspicuous conduct in battle and for
extraordinary heioism. The injustice OF
the present system is apparent The
promotion of am officer over the heads
of other officers operates as "a reduction
OF tAe latter i'm rank and also delays
them Jon securing the increased pay which
accompanies regular rise in grade. I'm
other words, the promotion is made not
at the expense of the government. which
should bear it, but at the expense Of
the unfortunate officers who are over
siaughed and who are thus punished
although faithful 10 every duty and only
unfortunate in lacking the opportunity
for conspicuous conduct OF hcrOism
II reward by the present system Of
promotion is abandoned, as above sug-
gested the Department renews its sug-
gestion embodied In Senate bin 5005. in
troduced al the last session Of Congress.
which provides for medals Of three
classes-one for conspicuous conduct in
war. one for extraordinary heroism, and
one for general meritorious service-the
first 90 carry with IL percentage OF in
crease OF pay based upon the rank Of
the recipient and calculated 10 take the
place Of the increase which would be the
result Of promotion were that form OF
reward continued. In is believed that
such a medal. worn during life and
transmitted as am inheritance. will be
far more grateful to a deserving officer
than a promotion in rank at the expense
of "A pomr8lp