Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-01-25
BLUEJACkETs BEST FED
MEN IN THE WORLD

Washington, Jan. "a IF We serve
eggs aboard ship the men want to see
the shells, II we serve potatoes, they
want to see the skins; and they're
entitled to- said Rear Admiral Nc
Gowan, paymaster of the navy I'm
telling the house naval committee to-
day that American bluejackets are
the best fed body Of men in the world.
when any of our men has eaten
what's on the mess table he added.
hes had mighty good meal and
he's satisfied
While the navy ration costs 36
cents day per man and the army
ration about Is or 20 cents, the au-
miral declared he never would under
any circumstances recommend any
less quality or quantity of food for
the sailor
Representative Kelley of Michigan
asked whether the United states sue
cessfully could send 200, 600 soldiers to
the Philippines and property care Tor
their provisioning.
ut would present gigantic proper
tions compared to the much smaller
number of men we have TO feed In
the fleet" the admiral replied but
the feeding of 100000 men Is no
greater problem than feeding 1000
If We have the same sources OF sup
ply and refrigeration. The distance
is no problem"
Admiral McGowan said II cost from
$50 to $25,100 To educate each ca
Diet at Annapolis, ana that the results
were worth it. or $l30,p00 appro
priatcd last year for the new naval
reserve only $4,000 had been requir-
ed. he said, as only lac men had re-
spondcd IN the first six months OF
this fiscal year.
The admiral concurred IN a recon-
incubation made by secretary Dan
iels in letter read by Chairman
Padgett that navy uniforms be made
in a government factory
General Murray presented mems
orandum he prepared several months
ago at the request Of Speaker clark,
setting forth his views as to what
would constitute adequate defense.
The general said that for the actual
defense OF the United states territory
alone and without considering main-
tenancc Of the Monroe doctrine or
protecting the interests Of American
citizens abroad a regular army VIRTUE
ally three times its present SIZE ana
three strong fleets for the navy would
General Murray revealed that q
special board on land defenses had
spent six years from 1906 to 1919 IN
preparing a report as 60 what would
he needed to protect the country. the
boards report is regarded as eonli-
dental 10y the war department and ITS
conclusions never have been made
public Its members viii be called
before the committee later Tho
board, which Is headed by General
Wotherspoon. now retired, visited eN.
cry coast district Of the country ana
studied defense problems. II recon-
mendrd. General Murray said. a force
of at least a third larger than he be-
lieNed necessary. his own opinion he
ing that a peace strength army OF
afa 600 regulars $4,000 of whom
would be on overseas duty could be
relied upon 10 protect the country
until volunteer army OF a million
men could be formed and trained.
General Murray proposed that the
enlistment period be cut 10 one year
for infantry and eighteen months Tor
other arms. with no obligation as to
reserve duty thereafter. The scheme,
he said. would turn out 100000 well
trained mop annually.