The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-06
THE NAVY Department.
Wants Naval Station at Guantana-
mo-Honors For Peary.


In the last annual report OF the sec
rotary of the navy and in my annual
message attention was called to the
new detail of officers in the navy de-
partment by which officers of flag rank
were assigned TO duty as aids to the
secretary in respect to naval opera
tins, personnel inspection and mate
rial. This change. was substantial
compliance with the Recommendation
of the commission on naval reorgan-
ization, headed by Mr.. Justice Moody,
and submitted to President Roosevelt
on Feb. 26, 1909
Through the advice Of this commit
tee of line officers the secretary is able
to bring about a proper coordination
of all the branches Of the naval de-
partment with greater military eff
cheney. The secretary of the navy rec
ommends that this new organization
be recognized by legislation and thus
made permanent. I concur in the rec
ommendation.
The secretary, In view Of the conclu-
sions of a recent court of inquiry on
certain phases of marine corps admin
istration, recommends that the major
general commandant of the marine
corps be appointed for a four year
term and that officers of the adjutant
and inspectors department be detailed
from the line.
He also asks for legislation to inn
| prove the conditions now existing in
the personnel Of officers of the navy,
particularly with regard to the age
and experience of flag officers and cap
tains. and points out that it is essen
| tial to the highest efficiency Of the
navy that the age of our officers be re-
duced and that flag officers particular
ly should gain proper experience as
flag officers In order to enable them to
properly command fleets. 1 concur in
the secretary's recommendations.
Covering of Naval Supply Fund Into
Treasury.
e! I 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, 100000 to something over $14.-
100000. and a system of accounting
| was introduced which prevented the
striking of a proper balance and
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 1, 1910. The naval
supply fund of s., TOO, 900 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 81, 700 COO of the naval supply fund
| be covered into the treasury as unnec'
essary, and 1 ask for legislative au-
| thority to do this. This sum when
covered into the treasury will be real
| ~ a reduction in recorded naval cost
for this year.
The estimates of the navy depart.
ment are Sc, OO0, 900 less than the ap-
| preparations 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
year, with few needed auxiliary yes