Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-12-10
ACADEMY CANDIDATES
SHOULD PUT IN YEAR
Daniels Says They Should Serve As
Enlisted Men Before Mast.
HIS ANNUAL REPORT READY
Estimates Of Appropriations For Vari-
Gus Branches of Service Have
Been PREPARED.

! pointed TO the Naval Academy should
be compelled TO serve at least one
year before the mast as an enlisted
man, together with estimates of APP
| preparations for the present fiscal
year and other things. Secretary of
the Navy Daniels has prepared his
annual report TO submit to the Con-
gress.
To a young officer commanding the
first fiotilla of American destroyers- TO
reach the war zone when the United
States entered the world war, Secre-
tary Daniels turns in the report, to
find the war slogan of the naval serv-
ice. Asked by the British Admiral to
whom he reported when his ships
would be ready for work against the
submarines after the long voyage, the
officer replied:
we are ready now"
THAT was not the language OF
boasting," Mr. Daniels says, in de-
scribing the incident 1T was the
prophecy and pledge of our service
with those fighting in a common
cause.
During peaceful years the navy
has been quietly but steadily perfect
ing itself to meet the time of war
Now the hour for which il has been
preparing has arrived Our sword is
drawn. and no one will dispute that
the blade is keen and free from rust
and it's temper true.
Record OF Increasing Power.
While | may not speak in detail Of
the greater naval operations, it may
increasing power, OF developing re-
sourcefuIness and of cooperative
achievement which the American PEG
pie may well survey with national
pride. While the details of what we
have done and how we have done it
must wait until il is permissible to
spread them upon public record, this
summary may be given to our people:
"In the navy we have prepared for,
and have met the duties of the pres
ent: we are preparing for and are
confident we will be able to meet any
| call for greater duties, for more ex-
acting responsibilities. The best way
to secure enduring peace is to prepare
increasingly, night and day, for the
winning of the war, whether it be long
! or short. This we have done; this
tinue to do"
For the coming year Mr.. Daniels
| proposes a naval budget of 81 ,039, $780,
| SOP, which is not itemized in his re-
port. In various ways, he says, it
win be necessary to ask for additional
funds as the session of Congress pro-
ceeds. He points out, however, that
appropriations for the last fiscal year
totaled $1,542, 1872, S59 for the navy and
for .13-month period $1,905. 41O,930
Congress provided literally, he says.
and legislated for the navy with vi
sion and wisdom.
This was done, too" he adds, Gin
the broadcast spirit of national patriot
ism by members of all political par
ties"
Striking figures contained in the re-
port showing the war expansion of
the navy include the following:
Vast Increase In Naval Force.
Since January 1, 1917, the naval
force has increased from $500 officers
and $4,000 men to $4,000 officers and
254,000 men; the number of stations
of all kinds operated by the navy has
increased from 100 to 1863; the num-
Der of civil employees from $4,000 to
10000; the strength of the Naval Re-
serve from a few hundred to 1926
men; the average monthly expendi-
ture from $8,000,000 to $60,000,00O;
the number of ships in commission
from little more than 300 to more
than 1,000 the Hospital Corps from
1000 to 1000; the National Naval
Volunteers from zero to $4,000 men,
the Marine Corps from 344 officers and
1921 men to 1897 officers and 10000
men. In addition to this and to the |
vast orders for material placed, the |
expansion of the air service and to |
many wholly new activities develop
ing from war conditions, training
facilities have been provided for 49, |
$50 men, exclusive of the Naval Acad- |
envy and other regular service
schools.
For the first time the Secretary does
not make public the report of the Cen |
eral Board of the Navy. His synopsis |
of the Boards work shows that it has |
been of most confidential character, |
and the report is withheld for that |
reason, Mr.. Daniels says This re-
port is the usual source of the future
building program of the navy. The
Secretary contents himself this year,
however, with recommending that
the remainder of the three-year pro-
gram already approved be authorized,
including three battleships, one bat
tie cruiser, three scout cruisers, nine
fleet submarines and a number of
craft
Asks For Permanent Increase.
The Secretary asks that the perma-
nent enlisted personnel be increased
to $4,000 bluejackets, 10000 appren-
tice seamen, 1000 in the trade schools
and 1000 for the air service. For
war purposes he asks that the figures
be 10000 bluejackets. $4,000 appren-
tees, $4,000 in trade schools and TO-
BOO in aviation.
Mr.. Daniels again emphasizes his
feeling that promotion should be
made on the basis of merit throughout :
The navy and that the fetish" Of
seniority be abandoned, from adj
niral to ensign" He recommends
hat the selective system now be ex-
ended to the staff as we'll as the line