The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-07

N pefsOnufi fAW IOr tue uaNS nntNn self needs amendment and to which l shall make further reference. Such law is needed quite as much for the army.
 Coast Defenses.
 The coast defenses of the United States proper are generally all that could be desired. and In some respects they are rather more elaborate than under present conditions are needed to stop an eneIny's fleet from entering the harbors defended. There Is. how ever, one place where additional de- fense Is badly needed. and that Is at the mouth of Chesapeake bay. where it is proposed to make an artificial is- land for fort which shall prevent an enemy's fleet from entering this most important strategical base of opera tions on the whole Atlantic and gulf coasts. I hope that appropriate legis- lation will be adopted to secure the construction of this defense.
 The military and naval joint board have unanimously agreed that 1t would be unwise to make the large expcndi- trres which at one time were contem- plated fin the establishment of a naval base and station in the Philippine Is- lands and have expressed their judg- ment, in whicl fully concur, In fa- vor of making an extensive naval base at Pearl Harbor, near Honolulu, and not in the Philippines. This does not dispense with the necessity for the comparatively small appropriations re- Quired to finish the proper coast de- lenses in the Philippines now under construction on the island of Corregi- dor and elsewhere or to complete a suitable repair station and coaling sup ply station at Olongapo. which Is the 1 floating dock Dewey hope that this recommendation of the joint board will end the discussion as to the com parative merits of Manila bay and Olongapc as naval stations and will lead to prompt measures for the proper equipment md defense of Pearl Har- bor.
 The Navy.
 The return of the battleship fleet from its voyage around the world in Eore efficient condition than when if started was a noteworthy event of in- terest alike to our citizens and the naval authorities of ,he world. Be- sides the beneficial and farreaching eff feet on our personal and diplomatic re- lations in the countries which the fleet vised, the marked success of the ships in steaming around the world In all weathers on schedule time has in- creased respect for our navy and has added to our national prestige.
 Our enlisted personnel recruited from all sections of the country is young and energetic aud representative of the national spirit It is, moreover. owing to its intelligence. capable of quick training into the modern man. of-war's men. Our officers are earnest and zealous in their profession, but it Is a regrettable fact that the higher officers are old for the responsibilities of the modern navy, and the admirals do not arrive at flag rank young enough to obtain adequnte training fin their duties as flag officers. This need ] for reform in the navy has been ably and earnestly presented to congress by my predecessor, and I also urgently recommend the subject for considera- ton.
 Early in the coming session a com prehensive plan for the reorganiza- ton of the officers of all corps of the navy will be presented to congress, and I hope it will meet with action suited to its urgency.
 Owing to the necessity for economy In expenditures, I have directed the curtailment of recommendations for naval appropriations so that they are thirty-eight millions less than the cor responding estimates of last year, and the request for new naval construction Is limited to two first class battleships and one repair vessel.
 The use of a navy is for military purposes, and there has been found need in the department of a military branch dealing ditectly with the miIi- tary use of the fleet. The secretary of the navy has also felt the lack of responsible advisers to aid him in reaching conclusions and deciding i'm portant matters between coordinate i branches of the department. To se- cure these results he has inaugurated tentative plan involving certain changes in the organization of the navy department, including the navy yards. all of which have been found | by the attorney general to be in ac- cordance with law. I have approved the execution of the plan proposed be- CAUSE hENhNCA NAAlAGA1T anu economy it promises.
 The generosity of congress has pro vided in the present naval observatory the most magnificent and expensive as- tronomical establishment in the world. It is being used for certain naval pur- poses which right easily and adequate ly be subserved by a small division connected with the navy department at only a fraction of the cost of the present naval observatory. The of ficiaI board of visitors established by congress and appointed in 1901 ex- pressed its conclusion that the official head of the observatory should be an eminent astronomer appointed by the president by and with 7t1fe5advfee and consent Of the senate, holding his place by a tenure at least as perma- nent as that of the superintendent of tLe coast survey or the head of the geological survey and not merely by