Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-11
Commander Predicts Savings
of Millions in Moving
US, War Craft.
YOUNGER ADMIRALS is
COL. THOMPSON'S PLEA
Not Properly Qualified to Handle
Fleets in War Under Present
Law, He Says.

The Importance of the Panama cana
from defensive standpoint. the made
uuacy of the present law regarding the
promotion of naval officers and the neces-
sity for greater development of aeronau-
ties were discussed by prominent navy
experts today at a meeting of the Navy
League of the United States, held at the
New Willard The principal speakers
were Commander J. S. Mexican. U. s. N,
and Capt. W. J. Chambers, u s. N.
Discussing the "strategetic value OF the
Panama canal to the navy Commander
Mexican delivered an illustrated lecture.
showing the way in which the Canal Zone
is to be fortified.
..The public, Congress and press. and,
fear. some naval officers got the impress
sion that the Panama canal by furnish
ing a short cut between the two oceans
doubled our fleet he said
Mobility Is Increased.
What the canal really will do is to
increase immensely our fleets mobility
freedom and speed of movement-by
permitting rapid transfer and concen-
tration in either ocean and 1t simplif1eS
and reduces the cost of our logistics-that
Is the supply and maintenance of the
fleet on the way to and in the area OF
operations.
THE canal. in the case of fleet con-
sisting of forty-eight battleships and
their attendant satellites, would save
So 0OOeOo in fuel and sixty days in time
between Culebra and Panama. 1t will
reduce the number of Golfers, storeships.
etc, by at least 100 vessels OF 5000 tons
each. costing SJd,OO0,COO.
Other Possible Savings.
1T Is not difficult to imagine situa-
ton in which this saving of sixty days
In time would save more in the total
cost of the war than the cost of the COM
pleted canal. $500 100000. 1t is only a
little less easy to imagine case where
this sixty days saving might entirely
prevent a war costing ten times the cost
OF the canal.
Desires Younger Admirals.
Col. Thompson said that law is needed
giving the navy younger admirals. The
admiral is the most important man of
the fleet, he said, and In time of battle
his skill and experience count for more
than the bravery of the other officers or
the skill of the gun pointers
Continuing. he declared:
Under the present law our adnnralS are
too old when they reach flag rank. and
they have had too little experience in
command to be properly qualified for
handling fleet in time of war. When
emergency comes if our adnirals are eff
ticient it is not because of the working of
the present law. but in spite Of it.
The new law suggested by the Navy
Department would bring about a better
condition, and / am sure that if the
American people understood the facts
they would quickly make Congress pass
personnel law which would give us at
all times a sufficient number of admirals
wait to evolve them during period of
actual conflict.
Cost of the United States Navy.
The cost of our navy today is about
equal to what we pay for tires for our
automobiles. If we are willing to paw
the navy as much as We are paying for
chauneurs we could promptly build
enough ships to make us superior on the
sea to any nation Great Britain except
eo), and to so officer and man our fleet
as TO insure that the blessings of peace
VIII remain with us and the horrors of
war never touches our shores
capt w. i. Chambers, L. S. n, de-
clared that the advance in aeronautics
Is no reason for not developing the
navy. The United States is far be-
hind other leading nations in its ad-
greatly needs an aeronautical laborau
tory
Admiral Selfridge's Suggestions.
Rear Admiral Selfridge proposed two
plans of his own for improving the
navy. The first was to establish q
naval reserve, by increasing the term
or enlistment from four to ten years
ana encouraging young men to enlist
by making them serve only three wears
actively, and then remain on the re-
serve list Tor seven years. During the
reserve period they would be REQUIRED
To go on duty one month out of each
year. and De paid nominal salaries
Admiral Selfrldge's second plan aims
TO get younger officers in positions OF
command In the navy, and give them
more actual experience. He proposed
that in the lower grades of naval
officers the officers themselves should
assist in selecting the men to be pro-
NOTED. The present condition of naval
officers is deplOrable, he said
This afternoon the delegates are a,
Fort Myer. witnessing special cav
airy drill arranged by Col Joseph Car
rard, commandment Of the post
Tonight the annual dinner of the
league is to be held at the New Viii
lard. Secretary of the Navy Daniels
will be the guest Of honor and Vice
President Marshall and several mem
OCES VI tic Saoluct axe expected TO at
tend and make addresses Gen Horace
Porter. president of the league will
Introduce Col. Thompson as toast
master.
The convention will be brought to a
close tomorrow with an inspection OF
the Washington navy. yard in the
morning and trip to Mount Vernon
on the Dolphin in the afternoon.
InefAciency of Navy Alleged.
A startling disclosure Of the present
condition of the United States Navy was
made at the afternoon session yesterday
by Capt John Hood, L. S. N, until re