Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-05
STATE OF THE NAVY
SECRETARY MoRToN'S FIRST AN
NUAL REPORT.
Two Vice Admirals Recommended
Control of Wireless Telegraphy-
Gun Factories and Armament.

The first annual report of Mr.. Morton as
Secretary Of the Navy is short and bust
nesslike document. and Is devoted mainly
to a review Of the annual reports Of the
chiefs of the different naval bureaus.
1.-THE naval estimates for the next fiscal
year." says Secretary Morton, ARE large,
the largest ever submitted, Notwithstanding
the fact that they have been cut down from
those sent in by the bureaus more than ST.
100000. We have asked for less than the
money actually required to continue the
naval program as laid down by the general
board of which Admiral Dewey is the head,
Notwithstanding all who have studied the
question carefully agree that this program
should be carried out.
1.-The past year was an important one in
the history Of our naval construction. Never
before were so many warships launched by
this or any other nation in one year. Yes
sci for vessel and type for type, I believe
our new ships will compare favorably with
those Of any navy afloat, and every Ameri-
can should be proud of the progress and
character of work now being accomplished.
not only in construction, but in all branches
of the service.
Cost Of the Navy.
New ships necessarily require more Of
fcers, more marines and more enlisted men,
and the appropriations are quite likely to
increase steadily for some years to come.
The more ships we have the greater our
fixed charges will be and the greater our
facilities necessarily must be, in the way
of yards and docks, and the ability to make
repairs and take proper care of the fleet.
1t Is just as essential to keep our ships In
thorough repair as it is to build them In
the first place. and to permit them to run
down for any length of time and go with
out repairs would be the height of folly.
1t costs great deal of money to keep the
feet moving In maneuvers and target prac-
tice. but this is the only way officers and
men can gain experience at sea; and it is
our weli-defined policy to maintain high
standard of efficiency throughout the serv-
ice Practice makes perfect in the navy, as
everywhere else.
Attention is earnestly invited to the rec
concentrations made by the chief of the
bureau of navigation respecting the need
for more officers and men in order to carry
on the work of the navy. 1t is useless to
build ships unless provision is made to
man, care for and use them The best re-
suits will surely be obtained by keeping
ships and men at work developing efficiency
in all the lines of active service. Most of
our ships and all of our shore stations are
now short of officers, and with the compile
ton of vessels under construction this con-
dition will become more serious.
The deficiency of officers is not limited
to the line alone, but is felt in every corps
Oh the service.
Battle Ships and Torpedo Boats.
1.-THE lessons of the war in the east thus
far are the same as those of the Spanish
war with respect to the relative value and
uses of battle ships. torpedo boats and de-
stroyers. Weight of metal, heavy guns
and hard hitting, whether at long or short
range. still do the most effective work. The
day of the battle ship is not over. and the
sphere of the lighter vessels, while i'm
portant, is auxiliary only.
These conclusions, reached by the gen
eral board and the board on construction q s
the result of careful study of recent naval
progress and present conditions, in the HIGHT
of the events OF the past few months in
eastern seas, confirm In a most striking
manner your (the President's) own views
on the subject, expressed more than two
and half years ago.
Vice Admirals Recommended.
Secretary Morton expresses himself
strongly in favor of provision for two vice
admirals in the navy to meet modern con-
ditions. especially In the far east. where
American interests have become SO Inn
portant. He says officers of that high rank