The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-11-20
MR.. HACKETT0S
LAST REPORT.
A Strong National Naval
Reserve Advocated.
Such AN ESTABLISHMENT IS NEEDED
Newport War College Commended.
Records of Service an Incentive
to officers and Mon POr-
traits Of Secretaries.

The advocacy Of a strong national ma
val reserve IS the feature most omuha-
sized IN the annual report Of the Assist
ant Secretary Of the Navy for the year
1901. the last To be made by Frank ".
HaCkett. who soon retires from that If
fee. This document including reports
on the Islands Of Guam and TutuiIa. the
operations Of the naval militia. and the
Naval War College. was made public by
Mr. Hackett today. In renewing his
recommendation of last year regarding
a naval reserve. he terseIy remarks.
While it is likely that some variance
Of opinion may exist as to the details Of
legislation best Gtted to put into practi-
cal operation a plan for naval reserve.
there is but one sentiment. l believe. in
and out Of the service. as to the necessity
for such an establishment.
1t is but the simple truth to declare
that there are few duties more pressing
upon the attention Of Congress than that
Of providing the country with some prac-
teal plan Of beginning and maintaining
a naval reserve"
The regulations for the government OF
the navy assign to the Assistant Score
taary cognizance and general supervision
Of all matters pertaining to the islands
OF Guam and TutuiIa and the Unite4
States naval stations in island posses
sions ald elsewhere beyond the continen-
tai limits Of the United States: vessels in
building at navy yards, repairs 10 vessels.
for
for service at navy yards; the Marine
Corps and applications Of enlisted men
thereof for discharge, the naval militia.
the Naval War College; the Library and
War Records Office. reports Of boards OF
survey; surveys and appraisaIs afoat and
ashore, the leaning of flags belonging 10
the navy.
The stations included in the phrase
''elsewheTebeyond the continental limits
OF the United States" are those at san
Juan. p. r.. al Honolulu. and at Cavite.
p.
COmmends the Naval Militia.
Taking up the subject Of the naval mi
litia and naval reserve, Mr. Hackett saws
OF the frst-named force.
The naval militia is made up Of sew
eral State organizations. The leading
purpose Is that a State may have at its
disposal a select body OF men trained 70
naval W6rfare who in time Of actual war
can be relied upon as defenders Of a coast
with which they are more or less familiar.
There are always a considerable number
OF men having a taste for naval life who.
while outside Of the United States Navy.
are ready and willing 10 serve on ship
beard when needed. There are certain
advantages springing from the State pride
that Will sustain an organization Of this
character. which advantages ought not
lightly TO be put aside. Not infrequeutly
conspicuous examples occur Of State of 20
GERS who do credItable work in service
strongly resembling, If not identical with.
that upon a commissioned vessel of war
or the United States Navy.
Notwithstanding that some States hav-
ing naval militia have shown OF late q
lack Of Infcres. in keeping up the work,
the Navy Department does not hesitate
TO declare that the system. substantially
as now organized. deserves 20 be coz
tnuod. Unfortunately. il happens that
the facilities Of the department for put
ting vessels at the disposal OF the several
States are not such as are desired. Th1
department. however. stands ready. as
heretofore, 10 dc all 10 its power to help
the State organizations. whether by ar
ranging a practice cruise or otherwise %
Passage of a Bill Urged.
Passing 10 the naval reserve. the As
Eistant Secretary then says.
Il have the honor TO renew with added
emphasis what was said in my report OF
last year as 20 the need Of naval re-
serve The subject has now for some
time been before Congress. The present
period is unusually favorable FOR Iegis-
lation 20 this end ! am convinced tina;
House bill 1926 Of the last Congress-
known as the Toss bill. with slight modi-
hcatiOns. is well adapted 10 accomplish
the result desired. Il las seemed better.
g. one modification. that the division
should be by districts and not by States
This bill is substantially the same as
that which was drafted ar the department
and sent in December. 1895 20 the Chair
man Of the Senate Committee on Naval
Affairs. bearing the approval 81 the Sec
Rotary Of the Navy. II provides for an
auxiliary force 10 be known as the United
States Naval Reserve Officers. petty Of