New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-12
NAVAL men URGE
MERCHANT MARINE
Society Sends to Wilson
Resolution Offering
Its Services.

ways and means for advancing the
art OF shipbuilding in this country was
the most important topic discussed
Yesterday at the meeting of the So
Getty OF Naval Architects and Marine
Engineers IN the Engineering Societies
building. All members agreed that eff
forts should be made 20 aid the gov
eminent in establishing an American
merchant marine worthy of the name.
10 that end the services of the So
elety were rendered the government in
the form OF a resolution, which will be
forwarded TO President Wilson. II
set forth that commerce of the United
states was seriously hampered by its
dependence upon foreign vessels. Con-
tinuing, the resolution said:
ANY legislation relating 10 our mer-
chant marine should recognize and in
crease the advantage Of our nations
general system of industrial develop
ment, and such added legislation
should have in view the relief Of ex-
isting burdens and take account Of the
additional cost of operating ships in
accordance with the laws and indus
trial policy Of our country"
The subject of submarine signalling
was covered in papers BY J. B. Millet
and Commander F. L. Sawyer. The lat
est device was said 10 consist Of a
combination of a special wireless in
stallation and an instrument called an
oscillator. By use of the combination
II was possible to fix the position Of
any approaching vessel or iceberg.
Spencer Miller read an interesting
paper on the coaling OF warsnips at
sea. He described the probable infu
ence Of this operation on naval
strategy in the North Sea. He said that
about 20 per cent of the British yes
sells must be absent from the fighting
line at all times. owing to the fact that
they must return TO coaling base
every ten days. Even 70 maintain So
per cent on the lire, Mr.. Miller said,
would necessitGte coaling az sea.
"The United States az war during
the next few years." he said. would
be defended almost entirely by coal
burning ships, emitting destroyers and
submarines. Based or our present
equipment. our feet Of defence would
consist of sixty-seven cosl-burning and
three oil-burning ships.
"The first thought of an invading
enemy would be 10 seize a fuel base.
IL might be an island belonging TO a
neutral power, and the logical step for
the United States would be 10 bottle
up the enemy's feet in whatever port
il reached. To maintain an effective
blockade the vessels should be able TO
replenish their coal bunkers without
leaving their stations.
Thirty million dollars would pur-
chase twenty-five big colliers. like the
I. s. s. Jason and Orion. These huge,
19,000-ton GOLFERS. with their high
speed brosdside coaling gear. could
coal three ships in day when the
sea is smooth, and such a purchase
would be money we'll spent"
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Assistant
Secretary of the Navy, contributed
paper setting forth some hitherto un-
published facts concerning the con-
struction of this country's first
frigates, in 1895. Mr.. Roosevelt was
unable to be present, having been
called 10 Washington late Thursday
night.
The two-days' session ended last
night with a dinner at the Waldorf.
The guests Of honor were Admiral y.