The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-05
REPORT OF MR. MOODY
ANNUAL SUMMARY BY sEcRE-
 TARY or NAVY.
Many Recommendation Are Made for the Increase of the En- ciency of That Arm of the Service.

Washington, Dec. 4-Secretary Moody in his annual report refers at length to the organization of the Navy Depart ment.
 "As the naval establishment grows in importance" he says, land the amount Of public money devoted to its mainten- ance Is increased, its proper administra- ton justly becomes an object of solici- tude. There has been therefore, much discussion concerning the organization of the department. It is asserted by many both within and without the naval serv- Ice that alterations in the organic law governing the administration of the na- val affairs would result in an increased efficiency and economy. The agitation for change comes from so many and such respectable quarters that 1t cannot be denied consideration.
 'The proposals for changes may be classified as follows:
 First, alterations in the organizations 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.
 Third, the creation of a general stan which shall be responsible for the effl- ciency of the vessels afioat and the per- sonel of the navy, collect and digest mill
 
 active operations may be formulated and act as the military adviser of the Secre- tary, having no authority except such as may be conferred on 1t from time to time by the Secretary.
 Tt is not my purpose to recommend, especially at this time, any of these pro- posals, but only to bring them forward Tor the earnest discussion and consider ation which their importance deserves. to ,A& should be attempted, until it appears clearly 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 we'll as the ifn- portance and of the efficiency of our navy. Will amply warrant all the study which can be given.
 Differences of opinion still exist as to the measure of success which has attend ed the consolidation of the engineering corps with the line. Both the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation and the Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering be- iieve that the consolidation Is working well.
 Tt is gratifying to note that the per- centage or citizenship in the enlisted force or the navy Is steadily growing. The number of enlisted men in the servica June 90. 1903, was H.245. Of this number 'S'o per cent were native born and 1O. 8 per cent naturalized citizens, the total per centage of citizenship being therefore W.7 per cent as compared with s9 per cent at the beginning of the fiscal year. The maximum percentage of deser- lions under peace conditions is little less tnan lI per cent, the minimum a little more than per cent and the normal be. tween II and 12 per cent. During the fis- cai yAr of 1903 the percentage of ieser- Cons was I2.5. a little above the normal 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. pres- ent conditions cannot be regarded as alarming
 -Four out of fourteen warrant oficers who applied for examination passed and nave been commissioner as ensigns, The enective force was increased during the | fiscal year by the addition of twenty-five new vessels-one battleship, four harbor | defense monitors, twelve torpedo boat destroyers. one torpedo boat and seven 1 submarine boats. During the past year craftsmanship has improved to a grati- lying extent. Results attained on all sta- tons show a uniformity of improvement The expenditures for the support of the navy which have increased considerably were during the last Nscel year larger than in any year of sur history, except lS64 and 1865, and ere certain to increase stil further. The total In 1903 wss Ss2,- 1 1S,0S4"