Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-11-24
THE NAVY IS
FIT FOR FIGHT
Remarkable Progress Made
Since United States En-
tered World War

congress and tne administration are
both deserving OF great credit for the
| rapid Improvement, increase and em.
cheney of the navy. During the years
in which Wilson has been president
congress has appropriated more than
81, 200. 100000 for naval purposes,
which exceeds the total appropriations
OF the new navy in 1888 up to the
Wilson administration by more than
$250.00O.000. BY the warm and earn.
| est cooperation OF congress and the
administration the United States when
its present program is completed will
have easily the second largest navy
in the world. For the fiscal year end.
ing June 80. 1918. congress has appro-
priated $l,604 100000 and authorized
contracts for S271.OOO,OOO. During the
last two years the appropriations by
the United States for naval purposes
have far exceeded those OF any other
nation for the same length of time,
either in peace or war.
NEW NAVY CREATED
The legislation for the increase of
the navy In material and personnel
and changing and reforming its man.
agement has practically created an
entirely new navy. Its increase in
efficiency has been as marked as its
| increase in size. Workmanship and
| the records of officers and men have
daily improved and their efficiency in
every respect become greater. l am
satisfied that II an opportunity pre-
| sents itself the American navy will
| give a splendid account of itself of
which the country will be proud. Con.
gress has been most generous in re.
spending to the demands of the navy
for appropriations and increases, and
the secretary of the navy has wisely,
efficiently and promptly used the re-
sources placed at his disposal. I have
kept in close touch with the navy
department, especially since the de
claration OF war, and Secretary Dan.
iels has proven himself a most cap
able administrator and efficient secre-
tary OF the navy. II is gratifying to
know the amount that has been ac-
complished in so short time.
The navy and marine corps have
been increased until they now consti-
tute a force OF more than a quarter of
Nl,n a1nT Ion
of war the navy by volunteer enlist.
, ments has been increased from $4,000
r to more than $4,000. In addition TO
! these there are in the naval reserve
49, 900 men. in the national naval vol.
unteers l4,500 men, in the hospital
corps $500 men. and about 5000 men
| In the coast guards. There are now
+ about $4,000 commissioned and war
rant officers in the navy and reserve
The marine corps has grown since
the declaration of war from $4,000 tC
more than $4,000 by volunteer enlist
= ments. To raise. train and officer
this largely increased force was in
n deed great undertakign, and the de
partment is deserving of commenda
II tion for the promptness and eflicienc
with which II has been done.
IS SIZE OF NAVY TRIPLED
't There are three times as many ve'
e sells in the naval service now as ther
were when the United States entere
% the war. Every battleship and cruise
IT that was in reserve has been full
T. manned and commissioned. Man
10 hundreds OF vessels and fast motto
~ craft have been surveyed. taken owe
oi and converted into patrol boats. Man
10 vessels have been completed since tn
u war began by hurried constructio
and have been promptly put in Sc
Ut vice. More than $50 merchant vessel
in have been armed with naval guns an
IN supplied with naval crews and officer
~ The American fleet has been pr
ls yided with supplies and ammunitic
'd and made ready for action for al
ng demand that might be made upon
a. In addition to getting ready the fe
10 existing, the navy department is al!
ir' carrying out the largest ship constru
m tion program in the history OF any n
ton. II has now in progress OF co
- structlon 1877 vessels, extending fro
ia superdroadnoughts to submarine CHI
n ers. The total cost OF those und
p construction at present Ia estimat
81 at more than s1,15o.OO0.o 200.
TO LEAD IN oEsTRoYERs
Arrangements were recently ma
for completing very large number
dostroyers in addition to the many
ready under construction, and the
when finished will give us the larg'
number Of destroyers Of any navy
the world. These destroyers are
dlspensable for warfare against 81
marines and for protecting our &C