The Washington herald., 1907-12-02

boat generally similar to the Octopus
but larger. would be a superior naval
weapon
He recommends four boats Of the Octo-
pus type, but larger, to cost $SS0,Oco each.
Commenting upon the rule to assign
younger officers TO important commands.
the Secretary says:
'In pursuance of one of the most inn
portant recommendations repeatedly urged
during the past four years for younger
men i'm important commands OF squad
rons and ships, the department has adopt
ed q policy that will utilize 70 the best
advantage the services of the youngest
officers in command grades that existing
laws provide, In brief, the plan is 10 give
battle ships only TO those captains who
will have. after their term in command
Of ship. two years or more 10 serve IN
flag rank. This plan went into effect
early in the year with the assignment Of
commanding officers to battle ships near
ing completion OF about 10 be commits
stoned. and subsequent details to COM
mands have followed this rule"
OF the cruise of the battle ships TO the
Pacific, the Secretary's only comment is
contained in the following:
Plan Is Mnde Public.
During the nrst stay Of the Atlantic
feet at jamestown plan long under
consideration was made public TO send
the fleet on a voyage 10 the Pacific as a
substitute for the comparatively short
cruising and the harbor work which the
fleet has engaged in FOR the winter sea-
son Of the past six or more years.
Shortage of officers and men made il
necessary some time ago to discontinue
all training ship cruises; so that recruits
now pass to general service with only
a few months training. all given on
shore.
Although by this system the recruits
may not so soon become familiar with
their sea duties, their development will
be sounder and better, their sea expert
ence being acquired by long cruises in
regular service, as in the coming voyage
10 the Pacific Mobility and expert gun
nery are the essential qualities OF an
efficient naval force. Neither can be dis
pensed with. nor can a deficiency In one
be tolerated more than in the other: nor
can one be developed at the expense Of
the other without impairing the effici-
coy of the whole.
"Of late devotion TO gunnery has some
what disturbed the balance. but the
Pacific cruise viii restore this. affording
ample opportunity for training in naval
seamanship, besides tactics, and expert
ence for all concerned in the many fea-
lures OF the movement Of a large naval
force 10 a distance"
Among other recommendations are the
following:
Repeal Of that part Of law which re-
Quires that any person may examine and
purchase copies Of papers on file in the
department While IL is not clear that
plans and specifications accompanying
contracts are included in this statute. the
Secretary believes the department should
De- empowered 10 refuse examination
when such examination might be iujuri-
Gus to public interests.
Elimination of the provision which re-
stricts the department from awarding TO
one contractor more than one battle ship
and one destroyer. or two destroyers.
Modification of statute.
Modification OF the statute which makes
forfeiture Of citizenship a penalty for de-
sertion.
Establishment Of form OF govemmen:
for Guam. and also for the Island Of
Tutuila. Samoa.
Increase in the compensation OF clerks
and civilian employees AT the Navy De
partment and at the various yards
Legislation which viii authorize the de-
partment 10 accept and care for gifts,
such as silver services and other tokens
which are presented 10 ships of the navy.
In an appendix 20 his report Mr. Metcalf
shows that articles 10 the value Of nearly
"a quarter Of million dollars have been
so presented. and that their status and
ownership have never been defined.
Addition of two vice admirals % the
list OF officers.
Concerning the recent criticism Of naval
construction. the report says:
Prom time TO time. in the public press.
and even among naval officers. criticism
Is made concerning our naval material
Investigation has almost invariably de-
veloped the fact. however, that such
criticism Is based largely upon misin-
formation. and in most cases rests upon
the attempt 20 compare the designs Of
ten or more years ago with what might
have been accomplished had the design
ers of the earlier period been able 10
anticipate and take advantage Of all sub
sequent developments in naval material.
Criticism OF this character is unfair.
without resultant advantage. and may be
dismissed without comment
The report concludes with high cOmpli-
ment 70 Assistant Secretary Newberry
for his efficient work. and also TO the
general board. Of which Admiral Dewey
is president