Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-12-05

! than of actual decrease in efficiency
IN the ship itself. To make up for
the retirement of these obsolete YES
sells, there must be authorized after
| 1912 In addition to the two ships
per year provided in the estab-
lishcd program n sufficient num-
Der OF vessels to maintain the
fleet at the minimum of twenty
ships IF the first line AS it
will be necessary for at least five or
FIX nations to maintain navies to en-
.5rce the decree of an international
| court. the Secretary does not feel that
re are very near the international
e. element of al issues and the era of
| international peace and he declares
| that the delusion that nation with a
large population, great wealth and re-
sources is immune from attack has
| / cen dispellcd by the history of war.
Ii formidable array of tables showing
TIE enormous amount of naval con-
>f"uction now under way or authorized
nv foreign nations, is presented to
| justify the appeal for an adherence to
the regular building program in this
country.
Our flag officers are the oldest in the
world and consequently retire within
q year or two after attaining that rank
without developing their fullest eff
| ticicncy. Therefore, the Secretary
| urges strongly the passage of the per-
sonnet bill now pending before the
Congress which will insure rapidity of
promotion and the accession to the
higher grades of the service of linn
I. har nf liz,
qualified. He also requests the ere
alton of grades above the present rear
admiralS so as TO conform to foreign
naval practice and sound administra-
ton.
! The troubles which have agitated
the marine corps during the past year
| find their reflex in recommendation
that the appointment Of the COM
mandant of !: corps (who should be
major gencraD should be limited to
four years instead of the present In
definite term, while the marines them
selves should be stationed in two
principal posts, one on the Atlantic
and one on the Pacific coasts, only
small police details being assigned to
the various navy yards.
''StiSeLiS hISSI Will "a
OF the working Of the reorganization
scheme inaugurated by himself and
points to a saving Of about $1,000 coo
In the estimates for the next fiscal
year. Referring to the success Of
Aviator Eugene Ely in his flight from
the cruiser Birmingham. the Secre-
tary says that II appears to be practi-
cable also for an aeroplane to board a
ship But even if an aerial scout
could not land on Il ship from his
aeroplanc he could be taken aboard
from the water to mage his report and
the loss of the aeroplanc would be Of
no moment. So he requests an APP
preparation of $4,000 10 continue the
aeropldne experiments.
Secretary Meyer refers to the cStab-
lishmcnt Of the naval supply account,
by which seven or more accounts were
consolidated into one, with great de-
crease in bookkeeping and knowledge
of stores on hand. From being over
obligated on March 3lst. the condition
now is that the Whole value Of the
naval supply fund is liquidated and
available and the secretary recon-
lnends that it's value-S2. 700. 0G0, be
turned into the Treasury. This rep
resents a saving Of that amount and
in the future the department will work
along on the regular appropriations.
The discovery of the North Pole by