Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-12-05


Of hattleship. and even then the last
ten years % that reriod should be spent In
the second line Of defense This short
lifo Is rather the result Of evolution n
ship design and ordinances than Of actual
decrease IN effieisncy IN the ship itself
To make UP for the retirement OF these
obsolete vessels there must be authorized
after 1919. In hdditlou 10 the two ships
per year provided in the established pro-
Trsm. a sufficient number Of vessels TO
maintain The fleet At the minimum Of
twenty ships OF the first line. AS II WI
be necessary for At least five or six ma
tons 10 maintain natles TO enforce the
decree Of an international court the secre-
tary does not feel that we are very near
the international settlement Of all issues
and the era Of international peace. and he
declares that the deluson that a nation
with a large population. great wealth and
resources Is immune from attack has been
dispelled BY the history Of war. A formid-
able array Of tables showing the enormous
amount Of naval construction now under
way or authorized by foreign nations is
presented TO Justify the appeal for an ad-
herence 20 the regular building program in
this country. .t
YOUNGER Officers Needed.
Our nag Officers are fhe oldest in the
world and consequently retire within year
or two after attaining that rank without de-
veloping their fullest efficiency. Therefore,
the secretary urges strongly the passage
OF the personnel bin now pending before
congress. which will insure rapidly of
promotion and the accession to the higher
Grades OF the service Of limited number
OF officers especially qualified. He also
requests the creation Of grades above the
present rear adnirals so as to conform
to foreign naval practice and sound ad-
minlstration.
The troubles which have agitated the
marine corps during the last year find
their reflex in recommendation that the
appointment Of the commnndant Of a corps
(who should DO a major gcueraD should
be limited to four years Instead Of the
present Indefinite term. while the marines
themselves should be stationed in two prin-
cipal posts one on the Atlantic and one
on the Pacific COASTS, only small police de-
tails being assigned 70 the various navy
yards.
Money Asked FOR AeropIanes.
Secretary Meyer speaks with pride OF
the workings Of the reorganization scheme
inauRurated by himself and points to a
saving OF about 100000 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 says that It appears to be prac-
ticable also for an aeroplane to board
ship. But even II 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 the aero
plane would be OF no moment. So he re-
quests an appropriation Of $4,000 10 con-
unue the aeroplane experiments.
Accounts Consolidated.
Secretary Meyer refers to the establish
ment OF the naval supply account, by
which seven or more accounts were con-
solldated into one, with great decrease in
bookkeeping and knowledge of stores on
hand From being over obligated on March
81. the condition now is that the whole
value OF the naval supply fund is liquidated
and available and the secretary recon-
mends that its vaiue-S2, 700. OOO-be turned
Into the treasury. This represents a saw
ing Of that amount and In the future the
department win work along on the regular
appropriations.
The discovery of the North pole by Rob
srt =. Peary, after years of patient and
arduous endeavor, is declared TO be an
event which has added to the honor and
credit OF our country.
Says SECRETARY Meyer: 1T Is fitting that
the government should recognize the value
Of hts services, and their successful ter
mination. II 1t meets with your approval,
recommend that Peary. the discoverer Of
Of the North pole be given commission
by legislation as rear admiral Of the corps
Of civil en&neets OF the navy, to date
from April s, 1903, the date of his dis
sovery OF the pole, ana that he be retired
as Of that date with highest retired pay
" that grade"