The Detroit times., 1910-10-17

Quiro0 10 man the
lighting craft. An -
other $1,000 are - !
employed In trade and labor positions
In navy yards and elsewhere: while
there are some 5000 clerical and pro-
fessional men employed by the deprat-
ment outside Of Washington. II costs
about $4,000. 900 q year for the main
tenance and enlargement OF the navy.
More than $l00.000.00O Of this goes
toward upkeep. The English navy 10
twice as large az ours, yet It's cost
or maintenance Il but little greater
than ours. This Is due largely to the
higher salaries that are paid In the
American navy.
SECRETARY Meyer has made q CON-
plete rearrangement of the administra-
tive features OF the departmental SER
vice. When he became secretary he
concluded that civilian head Of the
department needs q number Of pro-
fessional advisors not occupied with
the details Of administrative positions,
and appointed four aida. These men
have nothing to do with the business
end Of naval management but main
tain q general oversight Of the mill
tary features OF the service.
The aid for the neet advises with
the secretary concerning all move
ments Of naval vessels. and the make
up OF the various fleets and squad
rons: assists In the preparation Of
war plans and strategic movements
and digests, for the benefit of the sec
retary. the work of the general board,
the naval war college. and the Office
of naval intelligence. The aid for
personnel keeps the secretary inform
ed as to all problems Of manning ves-
sells OF the navy, transfer Of onicials.
etc. The aid for material looks AZ
ter the furnishing OF supplies and
equipment for the naval establish
ment. He has general oversight OF
tion and repairs, steam engineering.
ordnance, and supplies and accounts.
His advice covers every held. from
the purchase of the soap which the
sailors use to the signing OF contracts
for millions Of dollars worth Of armor
plate. The aid for inspection makes
careful professional examinations OF
all equipment, navy yards. coaling sta
ions, docks. etc, connected with the
building and maintenance Of the navy
Through these aids the secretary has
divorced the business end Of affairs
from the military end.
The average warship begins to de-
cline In usefulness after ten years. 1t
Is then said to become obsolescent.
Too good to throw upon the scrap
pile. II Is not good enough to main
tain it's place In active service. The
problem then becomes to dispose Of
II to the best advantage. II may be
placed In reserve ready for an emerg-
ency, or turned over to the naval mL
litia for the training Of amateur tars.
There are tactical as we'll az economic
questions to be considered In the dis
position Of obsolete ships. The stan
of aids cooperate with the secretary
In such matters.
The administrative details OF the
department are handled by q number
of bureaus. That Of navigation looks
after the issuance, recording and en-
forcement Of the orders Of the secre-
tary to the individual odicials OF the
navy. n has charge Of the training
and education Of the oficers and men
Of the navy, the enlistment and as
signments of duty Of all enlisted men,
and everything relating to the per-
sonnel Of the force. There II q great
demand for good men In the service,
and an abundant supply Of Indifferent
ones. During the fiscal year OF 1909
there were $1,000 applications for en-
listment, Of which $4,000 were reject
ed because of physical disability. and
1000 for other reasons. There were
1S, 900 accepted for enlistment. OF the
~ 900 jackies In the service. $4,000
were serving their first term and less
than 1000 had enlisted for more than
three terms.
The bureau of yards and docks has
charge of the navy yards, docks, train
ing stations. the powder factory. mag
azines, and the naval academy, so far
as furnishing watchmen and laborers
for cleaning purposes IL concerned.
The old bureau Of equipment has been
emasculated by the new organization.
It's duties being largely distributed
among the other bureaus. II formerly
had charge Of the equipment Of all
vessels with rigging. sails. anchors,
yeoman stores, nautical and navigat-
ing instruments, binnacles, nags,
lights, and the shops for making all
these things.
The bureau OF ordnance has charge
of the guns and ammunition and all
matters closely related to their prep
aration and handling. The largest gun
foundry In the world IL operated un-
der its direction at Washington. Here