New-York tribune., 1909-12-08
The NAVY.

The return az the 5arcleship Sect from its
voyage around the w0ri6 n more efficient
conGi-icn than when IT. started was a note
worldly event q interest alike 20 our citi-
gems and the naval suthorities OF the
world. Besides the beneficial and far
reaching eject on our personal and diplo-
matte relations In thc countries which the
Zee visited, the marked success or the
ships IL stearninr around the world in al
ve1thers on schedule tive has increased
respect for orr navy saz has added 70 cur
ra-'o-si prestige.
our enlisted personnel. recruited from al
r5-tic-s q The country, is Young ana en-
srrl-c aud representative OF The national
spirit y Is. rnc-sover. owing 70 IT'S intel
'iEcnce. copshie of qalck training into the
modern u-sn-of-V-arSC1en. Our officers are
earnest and Jealous r. their profession.
o-r % IS reEretrahle fa-t that the higher
o1-ers are ola f-r TIE responsibilities OF
f-t modern navy. and the admlrals DO not
a--lve ~ aaE rank young enough 10 ob-
r-.l adequate training in their duties as
Gag 1.1cfrs. This reed for reform IN the
navy Las been ebly anc earnestly pre-
se--e- 20 Congress by ny. predecessor. and
2 also Urgently recommend ths subject for
considers -ioD-
Early a. the coming session 8 conpre-
ie-sive plan for the reo-=anization OF the
officers q az corps O. the navy VII be
presented 10 Congress and 7 hope r. VIII
meet with action suited 70 t-s urgency.
Owing 10 the necessity for economy f.
Expenditures. I have directed the curtail-
r.ent ~ recommendation FOR naval appro-
r--arious 30 that they are sss.GeoeO0 less
r-sr -te corrlspolding estimates of. last
scar. and tie request for nsw naval con
5-rlc-i0l is limited % Two Irst class bat
-shirs ana che repair vessel
Tie use of a navy is for military pur-
poses and there has been found need in
t-= department Of military branch deal
--s a. eccly win the military use OF TIE
1-e- The s-crctar- Cf tLe Navy has also
-5.- The lack of responsible advisers 70 aic
a.-- be- reaching concl Gsioas and deciding
important uasrrerE between coordinate
branches c. ~ GepartneHL To secure
these results be has inzuEuraIed q tents-
-.c plan --E-lviuE certain chan ses Ia The
--s-r-zau01 az TIE Navy Department. III
c-1-lIE tie uavy y1rcs al of which have
ne-- found by tre Attorney General 70 De
fn lccorczuce with law 4 have approved
--e eXec-ucn o. the pan proposed because
ot me greater efficiency and economy Il
..1l--zss
--9 generosity u Cor srcss has provided
.1 L1e present Naval Observatory the most
---agliaoer- ens expensive asu-ono1nical
es----lz--n.sEt H. The world. l. Is beng used
fo- certain naval purposes which might
easily and adequately be subserved b.
snail division connected wiki the Navy De
----rlnt AZ only q traction Of tie cost OF
tie present Naval Observst1r-. The orticiai
El--5 c. Visitors established by Congress
L-e appointed in 1901 expressed its con-
c-usioa that tie oIcisl head q me oo-
servcrcry should be an eminent astronomer
appointed by the President. by sno with
rle GdNlce and consent q the Senate. hold
--g rs place by q tenure AZ least as per
m2nent as that Of rhs superintendent OF
rAe Coast Survey or the head cf the Geo
logical Survey. and not merely BY 3 detail
cf tao CT three wears duration. ] fully
rc-cUr .- this judgment. and urge q pro
VISOR BY ilw for The appointment of such
q 5i-s-tor.
- may not be Necessary 20 take the OBJ
serT4tory OF q The Navy Department and
r-r l into snother department II which
Opportunity for scientific research afforded
~ rhe observatory WoUlc seem 70 Be more
spproprlate. though believe such a trans
Ter in the long run is the best policy. I an
sure, however Z express the desire o. the
estronOgners and those learned IN rhs kin
nree sciences when ] urge upon Congress
fh2t The Naval Observatory be now deci-
ratec 70 scisnce. under control of man or
science Eho can. n need be. render All the
service 10 TIE Navy Department which this
ohserVauory noW renders, and sui furnish
d ne world the discoveries In astronomy
ths1 sresf astronomer using such plant
WotLiN - f1ref - rs