The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1901-11-22
WANTS MORE NARSH|PS..
Secretary Of the Navy Long Urges
Congress to Build Battleships J.
and Armored Cruisers.
BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF ANNUAL REPORT.
nouI. Construction of Tween.
ty.TwO New Vesscls-says more
Officers and Men Are Also NeedeN
National Naval Reserve IL Also
RecOmme nled.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16.-The keynote or
the annual report of Secretary Long Ior
1901 is 'increase"-an Increase IN ootn tl,e
number of ships and the number OF or1-
cars and sailors for the navy. "The navy
to-day." he says 'is a far greater FACTOR
In our relations with the world than II was
before the recent national expansion, winch
now includes Porto Rico, the Ha"aiah as
lands, the vast area of land ana sec IA
the Philippines and our obligations 10 Cupa.
If We are to have navy at all II mus. w
commensurate with these great eA.en.
sions-greater in International even 'nan
in territorial Importance
New Vessels Needed.
The tary's recommen dation 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:
THEE 1rst-cass battleships.
Two first-class armored cruisers.
Three gunboats, each of about LOW IONS
trial displacement.
Three gunboats, each of about 20o IONS
trial displacement, for insular service.
Three picket boats each of about NV tons
trial displacement.
Three steel sailing training ships, eacn Oh
about 1900 tons trial Gispla cement.
One collier, of about 1900 tons trial dis
placement.
Four tugboats.
More Officers md Men.
The secretary places emphasis on the
necessity for more line officers ana more
enlisted men. He recommends that tne
number of leutenants be increased from
300 to $50 and that the limit OF the numoer
of junior lieutenants and ensigns be placed
at 600. AS to the enlisted men, he recon-
mends that that force be Increased by
5000 men.
Naval Reserve.
Another pressing need set out IN the
secretary's report is that for national
naval reserve, which was so strongly al
vocated by President Roosevelt when ne
was assistant secretary of the navy. The
lesson taught by the Spanish-American
war; he says, was that steps should pc
taken at once to meet this zone certain
and positive requirement which will race
the nation upon an outbreak of war
Personnel of the Navy.
In connection with the subject Of naval
personnel. Secretary Long makes num-
Der of important recommend atoms as 1o!-
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 100 men,
increase in the corps of naval constructors
and Of civil engineers, and no further APP
point1nents 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 at present. The Sec
rotary points out that much-needed officers
are now offered 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
plea tor 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 a 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 limita-
ton upon the field from which it's superin-
tendent Is to be selected. It's head, he says,
should be, of course, the best astronomer
with the proper administrative qualifica-
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: 1.-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 decided in
crease in efficiency"