The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1910-12-06

tains, and points out that IT Is essen
tial 20 the highest efficiency Of the
navy that the age Of our officers be re-
duced and thai nag ofncers particular
ly should gain proper experience as
flag officers In order to enable them to
properly command fleets. I concur in
the secretary's Recommendations.
Covering Of Navai Supply Fund Into
Treasury.
commend to your attention the re-
port Of the secretary on the change
in the system Of cost accounting in
navy yards and also to the history Of
the naval supply fund and the pres
ent conditions existing in regard to
that matter. Under previous practice
and what now seems to have been an
erroneous construction Of the law the
supply fund Of the navy was increased
from 81. .7OO.O to something over $14.-
10000. and a system of accounting
was introduced which prevented the
striking Of a proper balance and a
knowledge Of the exact cost Of main
tanning the naval establishment.
The system has now been abandoned
and a naval supply account establish
ed by law July /, 1910. The naval
supply fund Of 100000 is now on de-
posit In the treasury to the credit of
the department. The secretary recon-
mends that the naval supply account
be made permanent by law and that
the So. .7OO. 900 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 viii be real
" a reduction In recorded naval cost
for this year.
The estimates Of the navy depart.
ment are $5,OOO,OOO 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
the plan Of building two battleships a
year, with a few needed auxiliary YES
sells. I 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 feet. With a feet con-
siderably less than half the size Of
that Of the British navy. we have
shipyards more than double the num-
ber, 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 1t
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 it has been demonstrated that
It, 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 a naval station at Guanta-
namo Of sufficient size and equipment
to serve the purpose Of an emergency
naval base. earnestly join in the rec
ommendation that he be given the au-
thority which he asks.
I am quite aware that such action is
likely to arouse local opposition, but !
conceive It to 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 a 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.
unite with the secretary in the rec.
ommendation that an appropriation be
made to construct a 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
9, 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.
| knowledgment from scientific bodies
and institutions Of learning in Europe