New Britain herald., 1916-08-26

1 lack under both Roosevelt and Taft. l There isn't a defect in the navy today that was not inherited from former administrations I am glad to say that, under the constructive leadership of Wilson, most republicans united with the democrats in supporting the big navy program, which will repair the deficiencies of former administra- tions.
 Let Us Consider Men.
 Not less important than fighting craft are men to man them. The Roosevelt administration added 7,50O men to the navy. The Taft adminis- ration authorized 1000 men (though Secretary Meyer asked for only 4,0O0) but only 5000 were actually enlisted. In the first two years of Wilson's ad ministration, 5,S24 men enlisted, and increase authorized is 27,500. In emergencies the president may make the enlistment S7,000 as against the $500 authorized when Wilson was inaugurated. This will be a suffi- cient number to man all ships, which has not been possible in this genera ton. The large increase at this time was made necessary because former administratiO tiOns failed to enlist enough men to man the small number of ships they constructed. There was no organized naval militia, no provision for a reserve and no civilian training when Wilson became president. Pro- vision has been made for these, an indispensa ble adjunct to an efficient navy.
 Proof of Improvement in the Navy.
 While the utmost care is exercised in accepting men for the navy, causing the rejection of five out of every six applicants for physical, mental or moral reasons, the fact that the Wilson administration has been able to fill and keep the quota of enlistments full, that re-enlistm ents have increased from 52 per cent to 85 per cent, that assertions have fallen off from 216 to less than ninety per month, and that the number of prisoners has been re- duced from 1900 to 7G0 under inn proved penal systems, evidences the increased popularity and efficiency of the service.
 Shortage of Officers Being Remedied.
 The navy was short of officers when Wilson came into office. Why? Be- cause each congressman was author ized to appoint only one midshlpman to Anna polls. Tn May of 1913, con- gress extended the law, which repub- licans had let expire, giving two ap- potntments to each congressman. This year congress has made an increase so that each senator and representative has three appointments to Annapolis This is an increase of over 831. If this had been done under Roosevelt and Taft, there would have been no shortage of officers
 Promotion of Enlisted Men. Doors heretofore closed are now open to blueja ackets. Under new leg islation, twenty-five enlisted men can now he be appointed annually to the Naval academy and qualify to rise from apprentice seaman to admiral. Already twenty-eight have been ap- pointed and this new recognition mas had a salutary effect throughout the entire navy and made it truly Amerl- can in spirit Fifteen enlisted men have been appointed as assistant pay master, and sixty-four to the position Of pay clerk, which grade, numbering over 200, will henceforth be aXclus1ve- ly filled by appointments from ranks instead of by the personal appolnt- ments of pay officers. Thirteen en- listed men have been promoted to en- sign from the ranks during Wilson's three years, as compared with three in Taft's four years. Enlisted men are eligible to the aviation corps and new schools have been enlarged, giving opportunity for the best training to am bilious enlisted men who come into the navy, with a chance to those of superior ability to earn promo Otion.
 Expansion of Air Craft
 The present congress has also ap- propriated $3.900,OO0 for aeronautics and the aviation station, continuing the wise policy of the 63d congress, which made the first specific appro priation ($1 1,O0O,O00) for aeronautics. The appropriation by the 63d congress has permitted the development of nav al aeronaut so that an aviation ship is now in the fleet and the aVia- ton corps has been increased to IS machines and 160 officers and men as compared with four machines and four officers in March, 1913 The