Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-03-19
NAVY DEPARTMENT PRAISES WORK
OFTHE SIXTY THIRD congress

the efficiency of the CORDS. having
charge of supplying the navy in peace
and war.
Naval Constructors.
The steady increase of the build.
ing program and the constant deveE
opments in naval architecture call for
more naval constructors. and the
Secretary Of the Navy is given author.
ity to transfer an additional number
OF ensigns TO the Naval Construction
Corps not exceeding five in any one
calendar year up to a total not ex.
ceeding "a. The necessity for this
has been heightened by reason OF the
changed methods OF construction that
will be learned as the result of the
present European war.
Medals.
Heretofore there has been a pro.
vision Of law by which an enlisted
man who showed distinguished con-
duct in battle or extraordinary hero
ism can be given a medal Of honor,
but there has been no such provision
for an officer. The bin provides that
the President may give, such medal
Of honor to an officer who deserves
it,
Radio.
"The development that has been
made in radio during the last year
has demonstrated the great, value that
the service can render in war, and its
prime importance as a means of COM
munication. Communication is now
readily had between the radio stations
at Arlington and the small radio sta
ton at San Diego, and the erection of
the high-power stations at San Diego,
Pearl Harbor and Cavite will, 1t is
believed, insure communication be-
tween the Department and the Gov
ernments most distant possessions at
all times of the day and at all seasons
of the year.
Marine Barracks.
1.-THE 61st Congress appropriated
$500, 600 for the construction of Ma
rine barracks in Panama. In view OF
the fact that the forces of the army
will occupy the Canal Zone, the Secre-
tary of the Navy did not authorize the
construction of the barracks provided
for at Panama, and this bill authoriz-
esf the use Of the 100000 appropriate
ed at Panama to be spent, 100000
each for barracks at Mare Island and
Norfolk. a&1".-- - '~''. IN
ShipbuiIdingr at Navy Yards. -
r. Until year ago none of our navy
yards were prepared to build ships
except New York and Mare Island.
The naval bill passed at the first ses-
sion of this Congress carried an APP
preparation for building slip that
would enable Boston and Philadelphia
to build ships for the navy. The pre-
sent bill carries an appropriation to
enable Norfolk and Charleston to con-
struet ships in these yards and dur.
ing the year the Secretary has arrang-
ed to build submarines at the Ports
mouth IN. H. yard. It is believed
that If all the navy yards are equipped
to do construction Of some character,
the investment I'm the yards will yield
"a better return and that the eompeti-
ton between the yards and the private
contractors would insure that the gov
eminent will secure the construction
of new ships at the lowest possible
price. S--~I, - s. ! SC, +. II E5ek4s@
During the last year the Secretary
Of the Navy. has established an avia.
ton school at Pensacola, utilizing the
grounds and buildings which had been
abandoned when the Pensacola, Navy
Yard was abolished. For the first
time in the historyttof the navy, air
craft were used abroad during the
occupation of Vera Cruz, and the navy
aviators were able to render valuable
service. The war IN Europe has shown
the great importaneei of air craft. The
conference report makes new de-
parture in aeronautics in the navy and
appropristes $1,000. 900 for the deyel
opment of aeronantics and the pur-
Chase Of modern air craft. Hereto
fore the appropriations for aeronautics
have been divided among the several
bureaus. Il is now concentrated, and
with the school at Pensacola and the
larger appropriations, navy aeronaut,
les win become much more effective
agency. - -
"In addition, the bill provides for an
Advisory Committee for aeronautics.
It is believed that this advisory com.
mittee, with the authority given, COM
posed of officers of the army and
navy and men skilled in aeronautical
engineering and its allied sciences,
will bring together the aeronautic ser:
vices of the government and give to
each branch the valued results of
study and investigation.
"The aeronautic service is particu-
larry hazardous and calls for men Of
enterprise and daring. The bill pro-
vides proper compensation for the
courageous men who undertake this
dangerous service for the navy, and
permits the Secretary of the Navy to
assign to this service officers Of high.
er rank than have heretofore been
available. &c.. r..
The conferees have voiced public
sentiment in faVoring a large increase