Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-04
Sec. Meyer Does Not
Favor Closing NaWYards'
Recommends a Complete Re-
organization Of the Navy.
Estimates for Next Are Sll,0ll,'
600 Less Than Present Year.

Washington, D. c., Dec 3.-Despite
the agitation to close some OF the navy
yards along the Southern coast, Secre-
Itary of the Navy Meyer will oppose
lany such step for the present. This
much was made plain in his annual
report submitted to President Taft to-
lday.
Secretary Meyer says that he is not
|entirely convinced that the govern
lment can advantageously give up sites
in which large expenditures have been
made, until, after the opening of the
Panama Canal, when it definitely can
be demonstrated which are likely to
be of the greatest value.
1T is not unknown in the history of
the government" says the Secretary,
that national reservations have been
given up and later were brought back
lat increased cost" Again in discuss
ing the same subject, he says that the
completion of the Panama Canal, the
development of trade in the Gulf OF
Mexico and the whole Caribbean
region, and the probable increase of
the naval establishment to meet our
national responsibilities in that area
will probably call for supply stations,
in part for the heavy fleet, but princi-
pally for the torpedo craft and sub
marines and the smaller vessels need
ed there "'
l. He urges the extreme desirability"
of developing the naval station partly
established at Guantanamo, Cuba
With the opening of the Panama
Canal, the Caribbean Sea will become
the scene of the great commercial ac-
tivity and our responsibility as to the
police and maintenance call for an
adequate naval repair base in that To-
cality."
The Secretary reviews in detail his
proposed plan for the reorganization
of the navy, and in addition makes
many recommendations for the con-
duct OF affairs in his department.
Two more battleships of the all-big-
gun type are recommended to be con-
structed but, on account of the desire
to keep down the expenditures, he asks
only for a repair ship in addition to
these two proposed giants of the sea.
The completion of the big drydock
at the Brooklyn navy yard is urged,
and furthermore the Secretary says
that 1T is clear that one dock on the
Atlantic coast, for docking our largest
battleships, is not sufficient since that
one might be injured" In this con-
lnectIon, he points out that provisions
for docking Of heavy vessels injured or
damaged in action or by stranding are
almost entirely lacking, and that but
few navy-yards exist on either coast
(which have sufficient water to dock an
injured battleship drawing or feet
more than its ordinary draft.
Ship constructions at the navy yards
lof the United States is opposed as a
principle by the Secretary. Only occa-
sionally, as check on costs Of par
ticular types, does he believe that the
United States should build ship.
bodybuilding concerns should be en-
couraged, in his opinion, so that the
government can profit by their expert
ence and resources and also because
ordinarily the work is done more
economically by them than at navv
yards.
Furthermore, Secretary Meyer is OPP
posed to Congress restricting the con-
lstructlon by one shipbuilding company
10 one battleship, or to requiring one
oattleshlp to be constructed at a navy
yard, or on one coast or the other.
Estimates for the coming fiscal year
were included in the report. They
are $11,O11.000 less than the total
amount appropriated for the present
fiscal year. -:E
The senior officers OF the navy are
TOO old, according to the Secretary.
he announces in his report that he
lsoon Will send to the President some
recommendations as to new legislation
for remedying this defect. 'The
senior officers of our navy are too old
ior the responsibilities and arduous
DUTY required in the modern battle
snip, says the Secretary. "They are
much Older than similar officers in the
iother principal navies of the world
NOT only is this the case. but flag Of
Hcers arrive at the grade of rear-ad-
hlral SO late than even those of long
lest possible service do not get ade-
quate training as subordinate flag Of
ncers before assuming the chief COM
lmand."
recommendations for the legal es-
tapilshment of a naval reserve Of Of
ncers and men and in regard to the de-
Velopment of a naval militia are also