The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-12-07

JUSTLY tncir remaining IN INC active
service TO be promoted Provision
should be made by which they should
he retired on a certain proportion OF
their pay, increasing with their length
of service at the time of retirement
There is now personnel law for
the navy which itself needs amend
ment and to which shall make fur
ther reference. Such a law is needed
quite as much for the army.
The coast defenses or the United
States proper are generally all that
could be desired, and in some respects
they are rather moro elaborate than
under present conditions are needed
TO stop an cnemys fleet from entering
the harbor defended. There Is. how
ever, one place where additional de-
Tense is badly needed, and that is at
the mouth of Chesapeake bay, where
il is eproposd to make an artificial
island for fort. which shall prevent
an cnenlys fleet from entering this
most important strategecal base OF
operations on the whole Atlantic and
Gudf coasts. | hope that appropriate
legislation will be adopted TO secure
the construction OF this defense
The military and naval joint board
have unanimously agred that it would
be unwise to make the large eXpendi-
lures which at one time were contem-
plated in the establishment of naval
base and station in the Philippine ISL
ands. and have expressed their judg
ment, in which fully concur, in favor
of making an extensive naval base at
Pearl harbor, near Honolulu. and not
in the Philippines. This does not dis
pense with the necessity for the COM
paratively small appropriations re-
quired to finish the proper coast de-
fenses in the Philippines now under
construction on the island OF Core
cidor and elsewhede, or TO complete
a suitable repair station and coallng
supply station at OlonEapo. where is
the floating dock Dewey" | hope
that this recommendation of the joint
board will end the discussion as TO
the comparative merits OF Manila bay
and Olongapo as naval stations and
will lead TO prompt measures for the
defense OF Pearl harbor.
The Navy.
The return of the battleship fleet
from its voyage around the world, in
more efficient condition than when It
started. was noteworthy event of
interest alike TO our citizens and the
naval authorities OF the world. Be-
sides the beneficial and far-reaching
effect of our personal and diplomatic
returns in the countries which the
fleet visited. the marked success Of
the ships In steamIng around the
world in all weatherS on schedule has
,Y,n 4 a
has added to our national prestige.
Our enlisted personnel. recruited
from all sections of the country, is
young and energetic and representa-
tive OF the national spirit. 1t is. more
over. owing TO its intelligence. capable
OF quick training into man-of-war'S S
men, Our officers are earnest and
Jealous In their profession. but 1t is n
regrettable fact that the higher Off
GERS are old for tie responsibilities of
the modern navy and the admiralS
do not arrive at flag rank Young
enough TO obtain adequate training in
their duties as flag oflicers. This
need for reform in the navy has been
ably and earnestly presented to con-
gress by my predecessor, and I also
urgently recommend the subject for
consideration.
Early in the session a comprehen-
sNe plan for the reorganization OF the
officers of all corps of the navy viii
be presented 10 congress, and | hope
ii Will meet with action suited TO It's
urgency,
Owing to the necessity for economy
in expenditures, | have directed the
curtailmeDt OF recommendations for
naval appropriations. so that they are
thirty-eight millions less than the
corresponding estimates Of last year,
and the request for new naval con-
struction is linlted to two first-class
battleships and one repair vessel
The use OF navy is for military
purposes. and there has been found
need in the department of military
branch dealing directly with the mill
tary use of the fleet The secretary
OF the navy also felt the lack OF the
responsible advisers TO aid him in
reaching conclusions and deciding i'm?
portant matters between coordinate
branches Of the department. TO Sc
cure these results he has inaugurated
a 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 I'm ac-
crodance with law
| have approved the execution OF
the plan proposed because of the
greater efficiency and economy 1T
promises,
The generosity Of congress has
provided in the present naval observa-
tory the most magnificent and cXpen-
sive astronomical establishment in tho
world, II Is being used for certain
naval purposes which might easily
and adequately be subserved by .
small division connected with the ma
Wy department at only a fraction OF
the cast OF the present naval obserya-
tory, The official board OF visitors
established bv congress and appointed
in 1901 cXcprssed its conclusion that
the official head OF the observatory
should he an eminent astronomer ap-
pointed by the president, by and with
the advice and consent of the senate.
holding his place by a tenure at least
as permanent as that of the sUperln-
tendent OF the coast survey or the
head of tho geological survey. and not
merely by detail OF TWO or three
yearse' duration ! fully concur in
this judgmnt and urge a provision by
law for the appointment of such 4
director
II may not he necessary 10 take the
observatory out OF the navy depart
meut and put it into another depart
ment, in which opportunity for scion
tiiic research Afforded by the observa-
tory would seem 10 be more apDroprt
ate. though | believe such a transfer
In The LONG nun is the best DOliCN.