The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-05
EXPENDITURES FOR YEAR
 ARE UNUSUALLY HEAVY
Percentage of Citizenship in the Navy Is Steadily Growing and Number of Desertions Is No Cause
 for Alarm.

Washington, December 4.-Secretary Moody in his annual report refers at length to the organization of the navy de- partment.
 AS the naval establishment grows in importance, he says, "and the amount of public money devoted to it's mainte- nance is increased, its proper adminstra- ton justly becomes an object of soc- tude. There has been, therefore, much discussion concerning the organization of the department It is asserted by many, both within and without the naval ser vice, that alterations in the organic law governing the administration of the naval affairs would result in an increased eff- ciency and economy. The agitation for change comes from so many and such re- sponsible quarters that it cannot be de- nied consideration.
 "The proposals for congress may be classified as follows:
 "First-Alterations in the organization of naval yards, which will increase the power and responsibility thereover, and for work progressing therein.
 "Second-The consolidation of the bu- reaus in the department.
 "Thlrd-The creation of a general staff which shall be responsible for the efii- ciency of the vessels afioat, and the per sonnel of the navy; and shall collect and digest military information upon which plans for active operations may be for mulated. and act as the military ~adxisar of the secretary, having no authority ex- cept such as may be conferred upon 1t from time to time by the secretary.
 Wants Proposals Considered.
 'It Is not my purpose to recommend, posals but only to bring them forward posale, but only to bring them forward for the earnest discussion and considera- tion which their importance deserves. Mere change is not reform and none should be attempted until it appears clear ly that conditions would be bettered thereby l venture, however to express the hope that congress may give to the whole subject of the organization it's best thought and argument The cost of our naval establishment, as well as the inn portance of the efficiency of our navy, will simply warrant all the study which can be given.
 Differences of opinion still exist as to the measure of success which has attain ed the consolidation of the engineer corps with the line. Both the chief of the bu- reau of navigation and the chief of the bureau of steam engineering, believe that the consolidation is working we'll
 Ut is gratifying to note that the per centage of citizenship in the enlisted force of the navy is steadily growing. The number of enlisted men in the service June 30. 19o3 was 27,245 Of this number 79.S per cent were native born and 1O.9 per cent naturalized citizens, the total percentage of citizenship being therefore 90.7 per cent, compared with S9 per- cent at the beginning of the fiscal year.
 Desertion Percentages.
 "The maximum percentage of assertions under peace conditions is little less than 17 per cent, the minimum a little more than per cent and the normal between II and F per cent During the fiscal year ! 1903 the percentage of assertions was 125, little above the normal percentage in time of peace. Ways and means by which to reduce the number of assertions are receiving and will continue to receive earnest and thoughtful attention; but in view of the history of the offense, present conditions cannot be regarted as alarm ing.
 -Four out of fourteen warrant officers who applied for examination passed and have been commissioned as ensigns.
 "The effective force was increased dur ing the fiscal year by the addition of twenty-five new vessels-one battleship, four harbor defense monitors, twelve tor pedo boat destroyers one torpedo boat and seven submarine boats. Results att tained on all stations show a uniformity of improvement The expenditures for the support of the navy, which has in- creased considerably, were during the last fiscal year larger than in any year of our history. except 1864 and 1865, and are certain to increase still further. The total in 1909 was sS2, SIS, ,Os4."