Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-05
NATIONAL BISCUIT COMPANY

are needed for the same reason that Con-
gress created the grade Of ambassador.
OF the bureau of navigation that action be
taken to place younger men in positions
OF command than is possible under exist
Ing laws. 1t is recommended that officers
of the navy be placed on the same footing
with respect to recognition for conspicuous
ly meritOriOuS conduct, and the Secretary
suggests that medals of honor of two
classes be authorized, one to be given for
acts of gallantry performed in time Of
peace and the other for acts of special
heroism in time Of war.
Referring to naval engineering, the Sec
rotary says that while doubts are expressed
in some quarters. the weight of opinion
among officers of rank and experience in
the service generally is that the consolida-
ton of the Engineer Corps with the line
is working well.
Target practice is expensive, he says, but
no money is spent with better results. The
object of the navy In time of war, he says,
is destruction of the enemy's fleet, and
effective gunnery Is Of paramount import
ance. With view to further improvement
in craftsmanship, the system OF rewards
for accuracy and rapidity of fire Will be
continued, and as far as may be prac-
ticable, extended.
Secretary Morton expresses his concur
renee with the chief constructor in the view
that the repairing and overhauling of naval
vessels must at all times remain the i'm
portant work of the navy yards, and that
there should be no change in the policy OF
building public ships as a general rule, by
contract at private establishments.
According to the Secretary, the use OF oil
as a fuel on board naval vessels is ques-
ton that cannot by any means be regarded
as settled adversely.
Wireless Telegraphy.
In view of the uses Of wireless biography
in the national defense, Secretary Morton
says it should remain under public control.
1oc OH
eised as not to interfere more than Is nec-
essary with private interests.
Secretary Morton indorses the recon-
mendation of the commandant of the Ma
rine Corps for an increase OF that corps
sufficient to meet the demands of the
service.
The belief is expressed by the Secretary
that Congress should provide form OF
government for the Island of Guam with
out delay. and give to its people that sense
of security IN property and business aHairs
which can come only from permanent laws
and a form of government in harmony with
that of the country TO Whlch tne lsiano
belongs.
In a paragraph regarding citizenship OF
naval personnel Secretary Morton says:
'Al commissioned officers OF the navy
are citizens of the United States. OF the
total enlisted force, numbering 9,32l, ~
per cent are native born, IL per cent nat
lralized. giving, therefore, 81 per cent as
citizens Of the United States Recruiting:
the middle west, brings to the navy an
excellent class of young men. No better
material can be found anywhere. If
taste for the service can be developed
among this class of our citizens to such
degree that the enlisted personnel can be
largely recruited from this source, great
advantage to the navy will result. To this
end it must be the united aim of all who
have to do with naval administration to see
that the enlisted personnel is dealt with
Justly
Gun Factories and Armament.
In a special chapter on naval gun fac
tories Secretary Morton expresses himself
emphatically regarding the private manu-
facture of armor and other military sup
plies, as follows:
"The maintenance of public naval gun
factory in state of such efficiency as to
be capable of turning out guns of all cal
ibers required for the armament of naval
vessels is undoubtedly desirable. The ex-
istence of such an establishment tends to
keep prices down and to prevent the for.
nation of monopolies for the supply OF
ships ornaments. do not, however, agree
with certain of the ordnance experts In the
opinion that the navy should, under ordi-
nary circumstances. undertake to manufac-
ture all, or even the greater part, OF the
guns and ammunition required for the serv-
ice. On the contrary. / think 1t Is better
to adhere in the matter of armament, to
the general policy adopted with respect to
ships and armor. At more than one navy
yard it lis possible to build warships. and
the government is actually building them at
some of the yards; but this is the exception.
Most of the new ships are under construc-
ton at private establishments. and all ar
NOR is furnished by private concerns 1t
would seem wise to follow the same general
policy with respect to armament.
For these and other reasons, am of the
opinion that It is better that the nations
chief instruments of warfare. offensive and