The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-26
Washington
Day by Day

Washington, May 25.-(Special)-The
number of boys In Alabama who desire
appointment to the United States Naval
Academy at Annapolis and who could
qualify In a very short time for success
full examination is estimated to consider
ably exceed one hundred.
This estimate. which is based upon ap-
plications for appointment addressed to
three of the eleven Alabamians In Con-
gress, has reference to such boys only
as would have a reasonable degree OF
certainty, on account OF education and
otherwise. of passing the regular exam
nations for admission to the corps OF
naval cadets. 1t takes no count of the
thousands of bright and worthy boys OF
Alabama who because of a lack Of edu-
cation, together with parental objection,
are forced to think of Annapolis as
dream that can never be realized.
The greatest difficulty in the way of
boys who reasonably wish appointment
to Annapolis is the lack of places In the
academy. There are but eleven places
for all Alabama, and these can be filled
only as vacancies are made by gradual
tion or dismissal. Each Senator and each
Representative has one appointment And
the rules governing admissions to West
Point are identical as TO number and
otherwise, generally speaking.
Many of the best and most honored cit
liens of Alabama are now eager to secure
for their young sons appointment to the
naval or the war academy. number OF
those citizens residing in Birmingham
and other leading cities.
In the House of Representatives the
other day, when the naval bill was under
consideration, an amendment was about
cadets to Annapolis by Ave hundred
which would have given appointments to
eleven additional Alabama boys, but
Congressman Underwood raised the
point OF order against the amendment on
the ground that 1t was contrary to one
of the rules Of the House and would set
a dangerous precedent. The chair held
the point well taken and commendable.
and as unanimous consent was needful.
Mr.. Underwood's objection defeated the
amendment There is nevertheless much
regret In Congress and the Navy De-
partment that Mr.. Underwood could not
see his way clear to allow the rule sus-
pended as by unanimous consent and the
amendment thereby adopted; for the
navy is now dangerously short of OFF,
GERS. This years class. for example, was
by necessity graduated Two months be-
fore the regular graduation time 80 that
the new officers could be hurried to ships
that were far too short of officers.
In further consideration of the naval
bill the House made a mistake that will
prove very costly one unless the Sem
ate undo the mischief.
Apparently in a spirit of resentment
against their former masters, the lead
ers of the House. the 'insurgent" Re-
publicans united with the body OF DEM
ocrats and forced an amendment to the
naval bill requiring that three of the
six new warships provided for shall be
built in United States navy yards. In
stead of by contract AS an object les
son to those who have made demands for
the government to build its own war
ships, the Navy Department agreed that
the naval committee of the House should
recommend the construction of one of the
new ships In navy yard.
These demands came mostly from one
or two organizations in California, where
there has been a strike on for many
months In some of the private ship
building yards which have contracts for
several warships. In the one instance OF
the chamber of commerce of Vallejo. a
small town In California. two large
pasteboard mailing cards bearing union
labels have been sent daily throughout
this session to every Congressman argu-
ing in favor OF the government building
warships.
Meantime the experts of the navy de-
partment have demonstrated that any
ship built by the government will cost
the country from 40 to 60 per cent more
than If the ship were built by private
builders. For instance a ship which
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