Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-12-28


for the ensuing fiscal year an Item II
$4,000 has been inserted TO cover the pre-
urinary expense Of establishing parcel
post on rural mail routes, as wei as 20
cover an Investigation having for It's OBJ
ject the final establishment or general
n.rcel most on all railway and steamboat
transportation routes. The department
he,ieves that after the initial expenses of
establishing the system are betrayed ana
,ho MARCEL most Is in full operation on the
rural routes It will not only prlhB IN
.ufY,clent revenue to meet its cost. but also
a surplus that can be utilized In paying
the expenses Of n parcel post in the city
1t Ia hoped that Congress VIII author
ize tho Immediate establishment OF a
limited parcel post on such rural routes
1, may be selected, providing for the de-
livery along the routes of parcels not e.
ceeding II pounds, which Ia the weight
limit for the international parcel post, or
at the postofilce from which such route
emanates, or on another route emanating
from the same office. Such preliminary
service will prepare the way for the more
thorough and comprehensive inquiry con-
template in asking for the appropriation
mentioned, enable the department to gain
definite informant ton concerning the prac-
tical operation of a general system. and
at the same time extend the benefit Of the
service to q class OF people who, above all
others, are specially in need of it.
The suggestion that we have Il general
parcel post has awakened great Oppose
ton on the part Of some who think that it
will have the effect to destroy the bust
ness Of the country storekeeper Instead
OF doing this. | think the change Will
greatly increase business for the benefit
OF all. The reduction in the cost Of liv-
ing 1t will bring about ought to make it's
coming certain.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
on the End OF November last. re
viewed the fighting fleet of hattleshjps
and other vessels assembled in New York
harbor, consisting of 81 bat,loshius two
armored cruisers. two cruisers. - do
stroyers, IL torpedo boats. : suhn 'rine~.
and other attendant vessels. making 9N
vessels OF all classes. of tonnage Of
SIC. 634 tons. Those who saw the fleet wer"
struck with ito preparedness and with
Its high military efficiency. All Amer
leans should be proud Of its personnel
The feet was deficient in the number
OF torpedo destroyers. in cruisers. and in
GOLFERS as well as in large battleship
cruisers, which are now becoming 4 very
important feature of foreign navies no
tably the British. German. and japanese.
The building plans for this year con-
templates two battleships and two col
liers This IL because the other and
smaller vessels can be built much moro
or -
battleshps. and we certainly ought ~
continue the policy of two battleships n
year until after the Panama canal Is fin
ished and until In our first line and in
our reserve line we can number 80 avail
able vessels OF proper armament and
size
The reorganization of the navy and the
appointment OF four aids to the score
tary have continued to demonstrate their
usefulness II would he difficult now 10
administer the affairs OF the navy with
out the expert counsel and advice OF these
aids. and renew the recommendation
which made last year. that the aids he
recognized by statute.
ADMIRAIS ARE NEEDED.
It Is certain that the navy. with its
present size. should have admirals in ac-
tive command higher than rear admiras
The recognized grades in order are .Ad-
miral OF the feet. vice-admiral, and rear
admiral. Our great battleship feet is
commanded by a rear admiral. with fo'f
other rear admicals under his ord"-S
This is not as it should be, and when
questions of precedence arise between
our naval officers and those of European
navies the American rear admiral,
though in command Of ten times the force
Of foreign vice-admiral must Yield pre-
cedence 10 the latter. Such an ahsHrdliN
ought not TO prevail. and II can be avoid
ed By the creation OF two or three posi-
tions of nag rank above that of rear adj
miral.
attended the opening Of the Now train-
ing school at North Chicago ILL.,, ana am
glad to note the opportunity which this
gives for drawing upon young mon of
the country from the interior. from farms
stores, shops. and offices which nsuros
high average OF intelligence and
character among them. and which they
showed In the very wonderful improve
ment in discipline and drill which only n
few short weeks presence at the na'1|
station had made.
invite your attention to the consider7-
ton OF the new system of detention aud
Of punishment for army and navy en-
listed men which has obtained in Great
Britain, and which has made greatly fol
the better control OF the men. We should
adopt a similar system here.
Like the treasury department and the
war department. the navy department
has given mitch attention to economy l'
administration, and has cut down mum
Der Of unnecessary expenses and reduced
Its estimates except for construction and
the increase that that involves.
urge upon Congress the necessity fo'
an immediate increase of 700 mon in the
enlisted strength of the navy, provided
for in the estimates, Four thousand more
are now needed TO man all the available
vessels.
There are In the service to-day about
1870 enlisted men Of all ratings.
Careful computation shows that n
April. 1912, 1876 men will be required
for vessels In commission. and 500 APP
prentice seamen should me kept under
training at all times.
ABOLITION OF NAVY Wards
The secretary OF the navy mas rec
commended the abolition OF certain of the
smaller and unnecessary navy yards and
in order TO furnish a complete and COM
prehensive report has referred tho Qa"'-
ton OF all navy yards 20 the Joint board
OF the army and navy, This board Will
shortly make its report and the Seere-
tary OF the navy advises me that hts
lrac dat