Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-12-13
SECRETARY OF
NAVY's REPORT

Washington, Dec. 12,-Fun details
of Secretary Daniels continuous naval
construction program involving the ex-
penditure OF half a billion dollars In
the course of the next five years are
contained in his annual report as head
of the Navy Department, made public
tonight.
Battleships are still the primary
need, he declares; Mr.. Daniels says:
"As in the case Of submarines, SO In
the case of battle cruisers, the parti-
cular course of the present war does
not justify the prevalent exaggerated
idea of their Importance"
On account of congesteion of work
in both the navy yards and civil estab-
lishments Mr.. Dariels proposes to be-
gin work on two battleships and two
cruisers only during the first year,
If Secretary Daniels program is
carried out. the Navy would be conf
posed of the following vessels built or
building in 1921: battleships, firts line
21; battle cruisers, s: battleships,
second line, 25; armored cruisers, 10;
scout cruisers. 13; cruisers, first class,
5; cruisers, second class, 5; cruisers,
third class. 10; destroyers, 108; fleet
submarines, 10; coast submarines,
157; monitors, 6; gunboats, 20; supply
ships, 4; fuel ships, 8; ammunition
ships, 2.
Emphasizing the need of battle
cruisers, which 1.-THE navy now lacks,
and of moro scouts, Secretary Daniels
says:
1T is notable fact that in every
| naval event of consequence which has
occurred In the North Seas area the
leading parts have been taken by YES
sells OF the battle cruiser and scout
types and it is evident that had either
side lacked such vessels II would have
been at disadvantage. When the
battle cruiser type was first brought
out 1t was argued that it could lie in
the line with battleships and be used
as battleship upon occasion. Expert
ence of the war, however, seems to
Indicate that their primary function
will be independent action and that il
possible antagonist is possessed of
and material number of vessels whose
speed enables them to certainly elude
the battleship and which are so pow
erful that they neednot apprehend tor
pedo craft, 1t Is necessary to have the
battle cruiser to cope with them.
I'm case of war, the country having
the superior fleet will probably con-
troll the sea, but experience has demon
strated the fact that fast cruisers
may keep the sea for an indefinite
period, obtaining supplies and coal
from captured merchantmen and in
the meantime do an inestimable dam
age to commerce and lines of commun-
ication of the country with the more
powerful navy. Without fast cruisers
OF equal or greater power, both in
speed and armament, the real control
of the sea and protection to COM
merce and lines of communication can
not be assured"
The aggregate estimates for the
next fiscal year for the up.keep of the
present naval establishment, the con-
tinuance of work on vessels already
begun and the commencement of work
on the five year program are $217, $751;
174. OF this amount s28,369,127 would
go to continue the ships authorized
by the last Congress, and $4,000, 900
would be devoted to new construction
1t Is hoped the present Congress will
authorize. This makes $85,372,127 for
the first year for increase OF the
navy" The specific amounts to be
expended annually during the FIVE
year period as well as the units OF
construction called for in the FIVE
year 00,000,0O0 building program al.
ready have been made public by Mr..
Daniels.
AS TO auxiliary ships for the navy,
Mr.. Daniels points out that the ideal
way to secure them would be to have
Congress authorize the construction OF
government-owned ships upon navy
specifications to be utilized for com.
merce in time of peace and be ready
for navy purposes In the event of
hostilities. .-
such policy" says the Secretary.
would give to the navy, without cost
for the operation during peace, a per.
feet auxiliary. or course, these ships
should be built upon navy plans and
manned by American citizens trained
under Navy regulations which would
make them efficient In time of war"
Having dealt exhaustiyely with the
proposed five year building program,
Mr.. Daniels turns to the discussion
Of questions Of personnel and recon.
mends first Of all that the present
system OF promotion OF officers by
seniority be torn up by the roots"
Characterizing 1t as "the ideal system
for. awarding mediocrity In the same
manner as resource and initiative and
great ability" the Secretary in advis.
Ing promotion by selection says II is
the system which is adopted in prac.
tically every walk OF Industrial life.