Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-08

gram at a time when the industrial re-
sources OF the country are already
taxed to their utmost capacity i'm meet
ing the demands OF tremendous trade
activity, both domestic and foreign, in
every branch OF business. II may be
necessary. however. for Congress to
enact Legislation OF the character to
insure the early completion Of the
program OF construction"
The report touches briefly on many
activities of the Navy Department, and
commends highly the new organiza-
ton and ordination that is being
effected 10y Admiral Benscn, chief OF
operations. In addition TO the report
Of the general bomrd. Il fun statement
by Admiral Benson is appended. show.
ing the rapid progress being made in
every line Of development. The most
disappointing feature Of the year ac-
cording TO the general board and Adj
miral Rcnsou. has been the slow prog
ress with development OF naval air
craft
"tndonbtedly much preliminary work
has been done cXpcrimcntally which
does not show" tn: board says, but
the application OF this very important
branch OF the service to the practical
uses Of the fleet has not yet been fully
developed. Satisfactory aircraft do not
appear as yet to he available for usc
with the feet"
The board recommends new or
sanitation OF the flying service under
II directing officer in the Office Of the
chicl OF operations. While admitting
the slo~ncss of acronautical develop
mcnt. Admiral Benson expresses the
hope that a big machine designed and
built by the navy and now under tcs,
may solve the problem encountered
SEVENTEEN AEHoPLANEs
IN ACTIVE SERVICE:
The report shows that the navy now
has seventeen acfoplanes in active ser.
"icc and that sixty more have been
ordered. In addition, several French
and British made machines have been
ordered.
In it's brief review Of the European
war, the general board finds nothing
to warrant modification of its previous
belief that til. battlcship is the
backbone OF the sea power OF a nation
For this reason, the report adds tho
board has determined that the number.
power and size Of tn" guns TO bc placed
aboard new batIl"ships should be in
creased without sacrificing arnor
speed or cruisin. radius. Larger chips
must be built to contain all ,hes, char
act"ristics. the report continues. and
Tor the 1915 ships the board has recon-
mcndcd the most powerful battery
which IL believes can be constructed
having due regard t. the present state
Of the art OF building heavy ordnance
In this country.
il Is shown that the batteries deci,' Ell
uDou to meet these requirements Will
bc twelve l6-inch. 50-caliber guns for
each ship y Test gun is now being
built
Discussing oni.s:menis in the navy
SECRETARY Daniels shows that Congress
has authorized an Immediate increase
Of $4,000 incm only 1873 OF whom have
been obtained.
Here again lie new and Serious
problems" h. says. More than orii-
aary methods must b. used 10 per-
auado young men to decline countless
opportunities opening before them in
commercial life in favor OF service with
The government.
er" II not for thu CRAFTY ing re
suits in enlistments already shown. as
u result of the policy Of the last few
years of Offering educational advant-
aScs, particularly along technical lines
- oar recruits, J would feel indeed
that the problem OF securing the men
authorized for our fleets WAS an almost
hopeless ono. .ss II is, | feel sure il
viii be solved. but il is still prob
lem. and what ] desire in this report
is 10 warn the public against eonsid-
erinE that the mere passage OF laws
authorizing additional men is equiva-
lent 10 having these men actually on
board our ships"