Rock Island Argus., 1910-12-06

be made permanent by law and that
the 50, 100000 of the naval supply fund
be covered into the treasury as unnec
essary, and I ask for legislative au-
thority to do this. This sum when
covered into the treasury will be real
ly a reduction in recorded naval cost
for this year.
The estimates of the navy depart
ment are S5,O00,000 less than the ap-
propriations for the same purpose last
year, and included in this is the build
ing program of the same amount as
that submitted for your consideration
last year. 1t is merely carrying out
the plan of building two battleships a
year, with few needed auxiliary YES
sells. / earnestly hope that this pro-
gram will be adopted.
Abolition of Navy Yards.
The secretary of the navy has given
personal examination to every navy
yard and has studied the uses of the
navy yards with reference to the ne
cessities of our fleet With a feet con-
siderably less than half the size Of
that of the British navy. we have
shipyards more than double the num-
Der. and there are several of these
shipyards, extensively equipped with
modern machinery, which after inves-
tigation the secretary Of the navy be-
lieves to be entirely useless for naval
purposes. He asks authority to aban-
don certain of them and to move their
machinery to other places where it
can be made of use.
In making these recommendations
the secretary is following directly
along progressive lines which have
been adopted in our great commercial
and manufacturing consultations in
this country-that is. of dismantling
unnecessary and inadequate plants
and discontinuing their existence
where 1t has been demonstrated that
1t is improbable to continue their
maintenance at an expense not COM
mensurate to their product
The secretary points out that the
most important naval base in the West
Indies is Guantanamo. in the south
eastern part Of Cuba. It's geographical
situation is admirably adapted to pro-
tect the commercial paths to the Pan
anna canal. and he shows that by the
expenditure of less than half a million
dollars. with the machinery which he
/ shall take from other navy yards, he
can create naval station at Guanta-
namo of sufficient size and equipment
/ TO serve the purpose of an emergency
naval base. I earnestly join in the rec
/ ommendation that he be given the au-
thOrity which he asks.
! am quite aware that such action is
} likely 10 arouse local opposition, but I
/ conceive it 70 be automatic that in leg
islating in the interest of the navy and
for the general protection of the coun-
try by the navy mere local pride or pc
cuniary interest in the establishment
of navy yard or station ought to play
no part. The recommendation Of the
secretary is based upon the judgment
of impartial naval officers entirely un-
influenced by any geographical or sec
| tiOnal considerations
! 1 unite with the secretary in the rec
ommendation that an appropriation he
made TO construct n suitable crypt at
Annapolis for the custody of the re
mains of John Paul Jones.
Peary.
The complete success of our country
in arctic exploration should not remain
unnoticed. For centuries there has
/ been friendly rivalry in this field Of
effort between the foremost nations
and between the bravest and most ac-
complished men. Expeditions to the
unknown north have been encouraged
/ by enlightened governments. and de
served honors have been granted to
the daring men who have conducted
| them.
The unparalleled achievement of
/ Peary in reaching the north pole April
/ 6. 1909, approved by critical exami-
nation of the most expert scientists.
has added to the distinction of our
/ navy. to which he belongs, and reflects
credit upon his country. His unique
/ success has received generous ac-
| acknowledgement from scientific bodies
and institutions of learning in Europe
and America. ! recommend fitting
recognition by congress of the great
achievement of Robert Edwin Peary.
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