The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-11-22
WANTS BETTER NAVY
Secretary Long Urges Increase in
Ships and Men.
Keynote of His Annual Report-List
of New Vessels Whose COnstruc-
ton He Urges-Other Rec
Omm e n datiOns Made.

the annual report of Secretary Long for
1901 is "increase"-an increase in both the
number of ships and the number of Off
GERS and sailors for the navy 1.-THE navy
to-day" he says, sis far greater factor
in our relations with the world than it was
before the recent national expansion, which
now includes Porto Rico. the Hawaiian is
lands, the vast area of land and sea in
the Philippines and our obligations to
Cuba. II we are to have a navy at all it
must be commensurate with these great
xtensions-greater in international even
than in territorial Importance"
New Vessels Needed.
The secretary's recommendation for new
construction, based on the report of the
general board headed by Admiral Dewey,
and that of the board of construction is as
follows:
Three first-class battleships.
Two first-clasS armored cruisers.
Three gunboats, each of about l 900 tons
trial displacement.
Three gunboats, each of about 200 tons
trial displacement, for insular service.
Three picket boats, each of about $50 tons
trial displacement.
Three steel sailing training ships. each Of
about 1000 tons trial displacement.
One collier, of about 10, 200 tons trial dis
placement.
Four tugboats.
All the vessels recommended in these two
reports, says Secretary Long, are desira-
BILE in the respective and harmonious de-
velopment of our naval force, and larger
increase this year than usual is desirable
because none were made last year. He,
however, found that some of the vessels
recommended could better be omitted from
his list than others and await appropria-
ton hereafter.
More Officers and Men.
necessity for more line officers and more
enlisted men. He recommends that the
number of lieutenants be increased from
800 to $50 and that the limit of the number
of Junior lieutenants ard ensigns be placed
at 800. AS to the enlisted men, he recon-
mends that that force be increased by
5000 >mer. Tables are submitted showing
that in the number of commissioned officers
OF the executive branch and in the total
strength of all ranks and ratings, the
United States navy is in the rear of that
of England, France, Germany, Russia,
Japan and Italy, and that the proportional
increase in our navy's personnel has for
six years been away behind the pace set
by the nations mentioned. Secretary Long
directs attention to Germany's law, which
increases her personnel along with her
shipbuilding, and which, by an average
annual increase of 1S02 officers and men
will give the German navy in 1920 total
personnel of 59.4OS.
Naval Reserve.
Another pressing need set out in the
secretary's report is that for a national
naval reserve, which was so strongly ad-
vocated by President Roosevelt when he
was assistant secretary of the navy. The
lesson taught by the Spanish-American
war, he says, was that steps should be
taken at once to meet this lone certain
and positive requirement which will face
the nation upon an outbreak of war;
Personnel of the Navy.
In connection with the subject of naval
personnel Secretary Long makes a num-
Der of important recommendations as fol-
lows: The revival of the grade of vice ad-
miral; an increase of so per cent. in the
number of cadets at the naval academy;
an increase of the marine corps by $50 men;
increase in the corps of naval constructors
and of civil engineers, and no further ap-
pointments to the office of professor of
mathematics
The Retired List.
One of the most important recommended
tons in this respect is that officers of the
navy be retired with the rank and three
fourths of the sea pay of the grade held
at the time of retirement, instead of the
next higher grade, as al present. The sec
rotary points out that much-needed officers
are now offered a premium to go on the
retired list. He also strongly advocates
that the law providing for the advancement
of officers "for service rendered during
the war with SPAIN be given general APP
plication so as to include service in China,
the Philippines and elsewhere. He says
that some provision should be made by
which retired officers, when ordered into
active service, shall have such service reck-
ored in their favor as to rank and paw
when they are put back on the retired
list Recommendation is also made that
all honorable service in the navy, the
marine corps and the army be embraced
In the law authorizing the retirement of
petty officers and enlisted men who have
served 80 years in the navy.
Naval Station in Porto Rico.
The secretary announces that the naval
board appointed to examine the coast of
Porto Rico. with view to selecting a suit
able site for a naval station, recommends
that it be located or the shores of San Juan
harbor, and that its recommendation also
includes the construction of dry dock.
Naval Observatory.
The secretary devotes considerable at
tention to the naval observatory and earn
estly recommends that there be no hmita-
ton upon the field from which it's superin-
tendent is to be selected. Its head, he says,
should be, of course, the best astronomer
with the proper administrative qualifica-
lions that can be found in the country.
1t is especially desirable, he states, that
the superintendent should have continuity
of tenure, as the observatory has suffered
from the frequent changes at its head
Civil Service.
On the subject of civil service, Secretary
Long says: 1.-THE navy department bears
witness to the utility of the present sys-
tenn OF the civil service. 1t prevents favor
1tlsm and makes merit the test of entrance
into place and of standing and advance in
it, and the result has been a decided in
crease in efficiency
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