The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-12
1T COSTS MORE.
But the overnment Can Build as Good
Warships as Anybody.

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE ability of
government navy yards to turn out
Warships equal in all respects to those
built under contract in the opinion OF
Rear Admiral Caps, chief of the bu-
reau of construction Of the navy IN
his annual report has been fully dem
onstrated. He urges that at least one
yard on the Pacific coast and one on
the Atlantic coast when practicable,
should be given a reasonable proper
ton of new construction work in order
that such yards may always be avail
able for any work the government may
desire to undertake therein.
In this connection reference IS made
to the battleships Louisiana and Con-
nectfcut, the latter constructed in the
New York navy yard. Admiral Caps
remarking at the time of the delivery
of the Connecticut the actual condition
of work on the vessel was practically
Identical with the Louisiana so far as
concerned all matters unconnected wit h
armor and armament Admiral CappS
admits that it costs less to build a war
ship by contract by reason of the short
er hours of labor. paid holidays, vaca-
tions, etc, granted to navy yard en-
ployes, but he believes nevertheless
that the government should be prepar-
ed to turn out its own ships in times OF
The lack Of suitable docking facilities
a Norfolk and Mare island is COM
mented upon as being especially embar-
RAISING to the bureau as no battleSh1pS
of any class can be locked at either of
those yards. He recommends the build
ing of an additional dry dock, capable
Of docking the largest vessels at both
the Norfolk and Pensacola navy yards
and that provision should be made for
enlarging and rebuilding dry dock No.
8, at the New York navy yard. The de-
velopment of the Norfolk navy yard to
meet the requirements of a fleet as re-
CARDS construction and repair is recon-
mended for special consideration
The appointment of a special board
to consider matters relating to the per
sonnet of the corps of naval construc-
tors, the report says, is IN contempla-
tfOn. While recording the fact that the
proportion of casualties by reason of
death and resignation continues to be
large, Admiral Caps says that the de-
partment's policy of years past in as
signing for a special course OF instruc-
ton graduates of the naval academy OF
suitable attainments, with a view to
their ultimate transfer to the construc-
ton corps to fill vacancies, will, in time
make the effect of such casualties less
serious. The excessive amount of work
devolving upon the bureau, Admiral
Caps adds, combined with its limited
number of officers has resulted In the
gradual impairment of the vitality, and
in some instances, complete breakdown
of officers whose services were especial
ly valuable.
The report speaks at length of the
work new and old vessels during
the past year and states that prellTnl-
nary work has begun upon the designs
of the 10000 ton battleship authorized
at the last session of congress. Ad-
miral Caps doubts the expediency of
repairs to warships on foreign stations
and says that both economy and ef1i-
cheney will result from carrying out al
large repairs and overhaunngs CT naVaI
vessels in navy yards within the CONT
mental limits of the United States. wher-
ever practicable.