New-York tribune., 1916-02-12

To tho Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: I'm connection with Governor Whis
mans annual message 20 the Legislature in
which he recommended ,ha. the New York
State Nautical School be abolished ain the in
terest Of economy. and also in view of other
and more pressing educational needs Of the
state the following facts with reference to
this institution are respectfully submitted
Tho board believe that while all good citi-
zons should indorse the Governors laudable
aim for economy, has recommendation Tor the
abandonment Of the nautical school was made
through not being cocnizant OF the great
value Of this institution in training officers
for the American merchant marine.
The last report received from tho Commis-
siorer Of Navigation shows that there are one
hundred ships Of over three thousand tons
each now under construction in various ship
yards in the United states and as many more
contracted for. Where are competent officers
for these ships to come from If suitable
means. such as tho maintenance Of nautical
schools are not encouraged by the Various
states bordering on our coast?
The statement that it costs 100000 annu
ally to maintain one hundred cadets in the
school is erroneous. In 1914 the total ex
pensc was $50 996 In 1915 s75,1s5 was ex-
pended. the total number Of students on .ros
ter during the first year being l45 and the
latter 1i3. Iuder conditions existing IN the
nautical school, comparison between the
cost o. maintaining IL and other educational
institutions Of the state cannot be made un-
less the following is taken into considera-
ton:
he Federal government furnishes the ship
the school building, as it were and the state
pays for running the school. but has not in
vested. IN many of the public school build
ings, hundred, of thousands Of dollars
Take for instance. some Of the high schools
Of New York. The cost Of building and
grounds win exceed 100000. Consider the
interest on his amount at per cent $4,000
and add this TO the yearly cost of the up
keep" salaries Of teachers, heating. lighting,
etc. and then We can arrive at more fair
basis OF comparative cost.
The board Of governors in It's last two re-
Iorts expressed the need of ship which
could accommodate at least 200 cadets. II IS
further tho endeavor 20 obtain such vessel
from the Washington authorities. Mani
fcstly. II such a vessel be obtained. the cost
per capita would be reduced TO about one
half OF what it is at present
II. r. bill 24.l45 entitled Al Act for the
Establishment Of Marine Schools etc, passed
;he House of Representatives in January.
lgll and the Senate in March. 1911. II be-
came a law and is now on the statute books
Of the country The bill carried a proviso for
an appropriation annually for a sum not ex-
.l4a - AL .nl atr,-
tained By the states or munici ipalities speci-
fed IN the act. Unfortunately, the Congress
sional Committee on Appropriations has not
appropriated 10 date any sum a. authorized
by this act, and. through false ideas Of econ
omy. none Of our Congressman has insisted
upon an appropriation under the law being
made The reports Of the governors for the
last two years have asked the Legislature 20
use is utmost eudeavor 70 obtain this money
recognizing the fact that the general govern
ment should give more assistance TO the
tates maintaining nautical schools
I'm view Of the contention that "other and
more pressing educational needs Of the state"
warrant the discOntinuance Of the school il is
universally conceded that the education and
training Of American officers Tor our COM
mercial ships is one Of the most important
matters before the country to-day. Our mer-
chant marine is increasing rapidly. Compe-
tent men must be found to officer and man
our ships. and it is only in such institutions
as nautical schools that the youth can fit
themselves for life AZ sea and TO become Off
GERS in our merchant marine
For forty years the nautical school has
been in existence. and during that time has
supplied the marine profession with hundreds
Of competent officers
Those who were familiar with conditions IN
the nautical school prior to its transfer 70