The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-16
SECRETARY LONGS REPORT

OGOhE AMY ION0 . nGT NR
The annual report of the secretary of
the navy has the merit of conciseness
and directness. The work of the vari-
GUS squadrons is detailed. Secretary
Long recommends that the number of
lieutenants be increased from three
hundred to three hundred and hfty
and that the limit of the number of
junior lieutenants and ensigns be made
six hundred. More line officers for sea
duty are required; also more naval
constructors, more civil engineers and
more enlisted men. The secretary
wants the enlisted force increased by
three thousand men and the marine
corps by seven hundred and fifty men.
He renews his recommendation that
the office of vice admiral be revived.
Tables are given showing the relative
strength of the largest navies of the
world The United States compares
not unfavorably with all but England
and France. The United States in 1900
had %, 1853 in the navy, while England
had 114,SS0 and France had 1878,
Russia had 1856, Germany 3O,3S6,
Japan 26,1SS and Italy 25,SO4.
The Russian naval estimates for 1890
proposed increasing the total force to
81, 500 in 1901. Germany provides for
systematic increase in number which
will raise the total of 1905 to 1886.
A number of important recommends
lions are made as to the Naval Acad-
envy:
That the title of "midshipman,
which is full of historic associations,
be restored and substituted for naval
cadet"
That the probationary course for
naval cadets be reduced.
That an engineering experimental
laboratory be established at the Naval
Academy for the use of cadets in their
studies.
That a postgraduate course of in
struction in engineering be authorized.
That no cadet shall hereafter be APP
pointed whose age is under fifteen or
over eighteen on October l of the year
of entrance to the Naval Academy.
That the salaries of the civilian pro-
fessors at the Naval Academy be re-
vised.
That training vessel be built for
the Naval Academy sufficiently large
to accommodate the entire corps of
cadets.
That the number of cadets at the
Naval Aoaday,,1y ba Increased IN Nor
cent, as recommended by the general
board, and that they be appointed
annually by the President ten at large.
Upon recommendation of the super
intendent of the Naval Academy, the
department decided in the interest or
the convenience of candidates for ad-
mission as well as of the government,
to have examinations for admission TO
this institution conducted by the civil
service commission at or near the
homes of the candidates.
The condition of the contracts for
vessels are given The United States
has a large number of vessels in the
course of construction. The depart
ment recommends legislation that will
4 give to the crews of our ships a liberal
1 and proper diet under all conditions
! of service, without compelling them to
| contribute to their own subsistence, as
I at present. The changes recommend
/ ed are approved, and would make the
cost of the ration about 80 cents per
man per diem, which is now it's nomi-
nal and Communication value. At pres
ent the actual cost of the ration is
from q to % cents.
| Secretary Long pays a high compll-
ment to the present civil service sys-
tenn, saying that it prevents favorit-
/ ism and makes merit the test of en-
+ trance into place and of standing and
advance in it, and the result has been
a decided increase in efficiency. The
| United States civil service commission
/ has not been able to supply enough
men for the positions. Otherwise the
rules have been most faithfully OBJ
served.
The secretary very sensibly recon-
mends that the present requirements
for the position of superintendent of
the Naval Observatory be altered At
present some naval officer, not below
the rank of captain, must be chosen.
He says that only very small proper
ton of naval officers are not below the
rank OF captain, and as most of them
are required for naval services-a re-
quirement which is now increasing
he
made is a noticeably small one. He
believes in having a man selected
from civil life if it is necessary to
get the most capable man for the
place, as there is no intimate connec-
ton between the navy and the OBJ
servatory.
An increase in the navy is insisted
upon. The general board, of which the
admiral is president, recommends {
very large increase in the navy. This
navy has been cut down by the depart
ment although it believes it is desir-
able. The department asks for the fol
lowing new vessels:
Three frst-class battleships.
Two first-class armored cruisers.
Three gunboats, each of about 10Ot
tons trial displacement.
Three gunboats, each of about 2Ol
tons trial displacement, for insulal
service.
Three picket boats, each Of about 65t
tons trial displacement.
Three steel sailing training ships
. each Of about 1000 tons trial displace