Albuquerque morning journal., 1910-12-05


spent in the second line of defense
This short life Is rather the result az
evolution In ship design and ordnance
than of actual decrease IN etiiclehcy
In the ship itself. TO make up for
the retirement of these obsolete ves~
sells. there must be authorized after
1912, in addition to the two ships per
year provided in the established pro-
gram, a sufficient number OF vessels
TO maintain the fleet at the minimnm
OF twenty ships of the first line. As It
viii be necessary for at least rive or
six nations to maintain naVies TO en-
force the decree OF an international
court, the secretary does not feel thht
we are very near the international
settlement Of all issues, and the era
of International peace, and he de-
clares that the delusion that nation
with large population, great wealth
and resources, is immune from attack
hds been dispelled BY the history OF
war a formidable array of tables
showing the enormous amount OF
naval construction now under way or
authorised by foreign countries, Is
presented to Justify the appeal for an
adherence 10 the regular building pro-
gram in this country
our flag officers are the Oldest In
the world and consequently retire
within a year or two after attaining
that rank without developing their
fullest efficiency. Therefore, the Sec
retary urges strongly the passage of
the personnel bin now pending before
congress which viii insure rapidity of
promotion and the accession to the
higher grades OF the service OF lim-
tied number OF officers especially
qualified. He also requests the orea-
tion of grades above the present rear
admirals SO as to conform To foreign
naval practice and sound administra-
tion.
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 a corps (who should be a
lma1or generalD should be limited to
! four years instead of the present In
definite term, while the marines them
selves should be stationed in two prin-
cipal posts, one on the Atlantic and
one on the Pacific coasts, only small
police details being assigned TO the
various navy yards.
Secretary Meyer speaks with pride
/ Of the working. OF the REORGANIZATION
scheme inauguratcd by himself, and
points 10 saving of about $5,000,0oo
| in the estimates for the next fiscal
| year
Referring TO the success of Aviator
| Eugene Ely In his flight from the
cruiser Birmingham, the secretary
saws that il appears 10 he practicable
also. for an aeroplane to board a ship
But even if an aerial scout could not
land on a ship from his aeroplane he
could be taken aboard from the water
TO make his report, and the loss of tn
neroplane would be of no moment. So
he requests an appropriation OF $2b,
600 to continue the aeroplane expert
ments.
Secretary Meyer refers to the es-
ltablishment of the naval supply ac-
count by which seven or more ae-
4 counts we're consolidated into one
with great decrease In bookkeeping
land knowledge of stores of hand
From being obligated on Marci
/ 81. the condition now is that tht
whole value of the naval supply funo
Is liqWdated and available, ana ths
secretary recommends that its value
S2.700,0 900. be turned into the treas
lury. This represents "A saving OF ina
Inmount and in the future the depart
ment viii work along on the reguiai
appropriations.
The discovery of the north pole b,
Robert T.. Peary, after years o.
patient and arduous endeavor Is DE.
cIared TO be an event which has added
! 10 tne noilot anu N''"' " W. ~
| try.
SAYS Secretary Meyer; 1T is mt
ting that the movement should recos
nize the value of his services and their
successful termination. If II meets
with your approval recommend that
pcary. the discoverer of the north
pole be given commission by legis.
| iation as rear admiral of the corps OF
/ civil engineers OF the navy, SO date
from April 6, 1909, and date of his
discovery Of the pole, and that ne BE-
retired as OF that date with highest
retired pay OF that grade