Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1901-11-21
MORE SHIPS AND M{N.
Secretary Long in His Annual
Report Urges the Necessity
Of Increase.
SAYS MUCH DEPENDS ON OUR NAVY.
Greater Factor in Our Relat ions with
National ExpansiOn-Twenty
New Boats in All Are Asked
For.

Washington, Nov. 18.-The keynote of
| the annual report of Secretary Long for
number of ships ana the number of Off
| GERS and sailors for the navy. 1.-The navy
| to-day" he says. lis a 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.
If We are to have navy at all it must be
commensurate with these great extern
| sions-greater in international even than
in territorial Importance"
New Vessels Needed.
The secretary's recommendation for new
construction, based or 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 frst-class armored cruisers.
Three gunboats, each of about 1000 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 1900 tons trial displacement.
One collier, of about 1900 tons trial dis
placement
Four tugboats.
More Officers and Men.
The secretary places emphasis on the
| necessity for more line officers and more
enlisted men. He recommends that the
number of lieutenants be increased from
300 to $50 and that the limit of the number
of junior leutenants and ensigns be placed
at Co., AS to the enlisted men, he recon-
mends that that force be increased by
1000 men.
Naval Reserve.
Another pressing need set out in the
secretary's report is that for national
| naval reserve, which was so strongly adj
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 adj
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
lions 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 at 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
picatior so as to include service in China,
the Philippines and elsewhere.
Naval Station in Porto Rico.
The secretary announces that the naval
board appointed to examine the coast of
Porto Rico, with view to selecting suit
able site for naval station, recommends
that it be located on the shores of San Juan
harbor, and that its recommendation also
includes the construction of a dry dock.
Naval Observatory.
The secretary devotes considerable at
tention to the naval observatory and earn
estly recommends that there be no lmita-
ton upon the field from which its superin-
tendent is to be selected. Its head. he says,
should be. of course the best astronomer
with the proper administrative qualitica-
tons 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: THE navy department bears
witness to the utility of the present sys-
tenn of the civil service 1t prevents favor
itism 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
Defalcation Grows.