The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-05
NAVY COSTS MORE.
Expenditures the Largest Since
1864 and '65.

WdSIlliStOn. Dec 0.-Ine dnnual re-
port of Secretary of Navy Moody made
omnendation of several bureau chiefs
of the department contained in their
annual reports which have already been
published. The most important of
these reports that of the bureau of
navigation is especially referred to and
the recommendation of the chief as to
the consolidation of the engineer corps
with the line, earlier retirement of nom
promoted officers, decrease of desertion,
commissioning of warrant officers and
establishment Of a naval station at
Subig bay, Philippine island, are ap-
proved The secretary tells of steps
taken to expedite work on vessels ul1-
der construction and rejoiceS that the
percentage of American citizens among
the enlisted men increases steadily.
Relative to reorganization of the navy
department, Secretary Moody says:
1T is asserted by many, both within
and without the naval service, that
alterations in the organic law govern
ing the administration of naval affairs
would result in an increased efficiency
and economy. The agitation for
change comes from SO many and such
respectable quarters that it cannot be
denied consideration. The proposal for
| changes may be classified as follows:
"F'irst-Alterations in the organiza-
| ton Of navy yards which will increase
the. power and responsibility thereover
and for work progressing thereon.
'Second-The consolidation of the bu-
reaus in the department.
''Third-The creation of a general
staff, which shall be responsible for the
efficiency of the vessels afloat and per-
sonel of navy, collect and digest mill
tary information upon which plans for
active operation may be formulated,
and act as the military adviser of the
secretary, having no authority except
such as may be conferred upon It from
time to time by the secretary 1t should
be understood that the department does
be rendered by a general staff. The war
college at Coasters harbor island, the
intelligence office, the board of inspee-
ton and survey and the bureau of navi-
cation work in intelligent cooperation
with the general board which was
created by my predecessor as the result
| of experience in the war with Spain.
The admiral of the navy whose ex-
! perience and advice always fully avail
able, have been of inestimable value
| is the president of this board and the
| chief of the bureau of navigation is
chairman of its executive committee.
Through these two officers the delbera-
tions and opinion of the board based
not only upon their experience as off,
I GERS, but upon the work of the bodies
above enumerated. are brought to the
attention of the secretary. Together the
admiral of the navy and the chief of
4 the bureau of navigation are in a con-
siderable measure performing the du-
ties of a chief of general staff. The
OOdTQ mas no existence except by VIZ
tue Of the departmental regulations
which may at any moment be modified
| or repealed.
at is not my purpose to recommend
specifically at this time any of these
proposals. but only to bring them for
| ward for the earnest discussion and
consideration which their Importance
deserves. Mere change is not reform,
and none should be attempted until it
appears clearly that conditions would
be bettered thereby.
81 venture, however, to express the
hope that you may give to the whole
subject of the organization of our ma
val establishment it's best thought and
attention. The cost of our naval es-
tablishment as well as the Importance
of the efficiency of our navy would am
ply warrant all the study which can be
given
1t is recommended by the secretary
that for the better government of per-
sons subject to the laws and discipline
of the navy, the president whenever he
shall deem such power necessary NAV
authorize commandments at remote ma
val stations to convene general court
martialS that some simple system of
civil government be provided for the
islands of Tutuila and Guam, with ap-
peal in proper cases to courts of the
United States and that like provisions
be made for the satisfactory govern
nent on civil side. of the naval station
lat Guantanamo, within which conces-
sion it is understood a considerable
number of persons, citizens of Cuba
and others, will remain as permanent
or temporary residents. It is suggested
this station and the Midway islands
might appropriately for certain p1r-
poses be ATTACHED to judicial districts
of the United States in substantially
the manner adopted in the cases of the
Guano islands.
Relative to the usefulness of the navy
the secretary says:
1.-The expenditures for the support of
the navy have Increased considerably
and during the last fiscal year were
larger than in any year of our history,
except the years 1864 and 1865, and are
. certain to increase still further 1t is
interesting to compare the expendi-
| lures Of the present with those of the
past, though no standard OF comparison