The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1909-12-08
The Navy.

The return Of the battleship feet
from its voyage around the world in
more efficient condition than when il
started was a noteworthy event of in
terest alike to our citizens and the
naval authorities of the world. Be
sides the beneficial and farreaching eff.
feet on our personal aud diplomatic re.
lattons 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 and Representative Of
] the national Spirit. 1t is, moreover,
owing to it's intelligence, capdbie4 IL
quick training into the modern main
of-war's men. Our officers are earnest
and Jealous in their profession. but it
is 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 adequate training In
their duties as flag officers. This heed
for reform in the navy has been ably
and earnestly presented to congress by
my predecessor, and | also urgently
recommend the subject for considera-
ton.
Early in the coming session COM
prehensive plan for the reorgani2a-
ton Of the officers of all corps Of the
navy will be presented to congress.
and hope it win meet with action
suited to its urgency.
Owing to the necessity for economy
i'll expenditures, l have directed the
curtailment of recommendations for
naval appropriations so that they are
thrty-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 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 has also felt the lack of
responsible advisers to aid him in
reaching conclusions and deciding i'm
portant matters between coordinate
branches of the department. 10 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 in ac-
cordance with law. have approved
the execution Of the plan proposed be-
cause of the greater efficiency and
economy IT promises.
The generosity of congress has pro-
vided in the present naval observatory
the most magnificent anu expensive as
Economical estn bliSh,nent in the world
1t is being used for certain naval pur-
poses which might easily and adequate
ly be snbSerqcd by small division
connected with the navy department
at only fraction # tile cost of the
present naval observatory. The of
fetal board Of visitors established by
congress and appointed IN 1901 ex-
pressed its conclusion that he official
head OF the observatory should be an
astronomer appointed by the
president by and with the advice and
of the senate, holding his
place by tenure at least as perma-
nent as that of the superintendent Of
the coast survey or the head Of the
geological survey and not merely by
4 detail of two or three years dura-
lion. ! fully concur in this judgment
and urge a provision by law for the
of such director.
1t may not be necessary to take the
observatory out of the navy depart
ment and put it into another depart
ment In which opportunity for sci.
antific research afforded by the OBJ
servatory would seem to be more ap-
oropriate, though believe such
transfer In the long run Is the best
policy. | ain sure, however. express
he desire of the astronomers and those
earned in the kindred sciences when
urge upon congress that the naval |
observatory be now dedicated to sci |
ence under control of man OF sci |
ence who can, IL need be, render all |
The service to the navy department
which this observatory now renders |
md still furnish to the world the dis
,overies in astronomy that Il great as
ronomer using such plant would be
likely to make.
Department of Justice-Expedition In
Legal Procedure.
The deplorable delays IN the admin
stration Of civil aud criminal law have
eceived the attention of committees of
he American Bar association and of .
many state bar associations, as well as
he considered thought OF judges and
urlSts. IN my Judgment. change In
JUDICIAL procedure. with a view to re-
Iucing its expense to private litigants
D civil cases and facilitating the dis
'atch OF business and final decision I'm
10Th civil and criminal cases. copsti-
ntes the greatest need I'm our Ameri.
al institutions do not doubt for
ne moment that much of the lawless
folence and cruelty exhibited In lynch. 4
n-s are directly due to the uncertain.
les ana injustice growing out of the
elays in trials. judgments and the exc
Al. |