New-York tribune., 1919-12-08
Secretary Daniels in Annual
Report Advises Substan-
tial Increase in Pay; Asks
$387,883,254 for 1920
Number of Men Doubled
Transport Service and Mine
Layers and Sweepers Get
Especial Commentator
-.--~~eszRs
Nep York. Tribuns
WQshin0tO4a Bureau

WAShlNGION, dec. line actual
war cost of the United States Navy
was S2,ss2, 100000, according to- the
Navy submitted to the President un-
der date of December l and made
public for the first time to-day.
The funds made available for the
use Of the navy during the period
from April /, 1917, to June 80, 1919,
amounted to $685., ,99S,878. but assum-
ing that the expenditures for the navy
on a peace basis would have continued
to increase at the same rate as during
the decade from 1907 to 1916. the
peace-time expenditures would have
been about $375,59S,000 during the
cost at nearly $3,oO0,00O,0 900.
The Secretary of the Navy makes
an appeal for substantial increases in
pay in the navy, pointing out that in
spite of the natural attractiveness Of
the service, men who otherwise would
join are forced to seek work in civilian
pursuits because of the greater rate
Of pay, which is especially essential
in these days of high prices.
$573,131,254 for Year
Secretary Daniels places the total
estimate Of the navel establishment
for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1921, at $573, 131, ,254.80, or $40,115,-
584.06 less than the appropriations for
the current fiscal year. Other than
for ship construction, the appropria-
tions recommended amount to 1887 $685.
254 80, or less than two and a quarter
times the appropriations carried for
like purposes in the naval appropria-
ton act approved August 20, 1916, de-
spite the growth Of the fleet, the shore
establishment and the personnel, to
say nothing of advanced labor and ma
terial costs.
No recommendation for the appro-
priation of money or for authorization
to proceed with any new ship construc-
ton is contained in the estimates. A
separate estimate will be presented
when the department has determined
upon its recommendation as to new
construction, tits announced.
Tells of Navy Transport
The work of the navy since the armis-
tice is outlined in detail. eve were
faced with the tremendous task of
transporting back to this country the
100000 American soldiers in Europe"
says the report. british and other for
eign ships which had carried to France
were available. The energy and eff
cheney with which this task was per-
formed are evidenced by the fact that
by the end Of July, 1919, 1,770,4S4
troops had been returned to America,
of which 1,518,149 were brought over
in United States transports"
Detailed statistics show to what ex-
tent the navy utilized all available bot
toms to the limit of their capacities
to return the American soldiers in the
shortest possible time. The troop ac-
c commodations on the Leviathan were
increased from 10000 to 10000; on the
George Washington, from $500 to $500,
and on other great vessels proportion
ately. Battleships and cruisers also
were pressed into service.
A total Of 145,000 men came back
from Europe on these fighting ships.
In addition, fifty-six cargo ships, and
nine great vessels, surrendered by the
Germans, aided in the work of trans
porting our soldiers home.
Though rehabilitation has returned
over 900 men from military to CIV
ilian pursuits, there are now in the
navy more than twice as many enlisted
men as there were on January 1, 1917"
Secretary Daniels says:
"The United States navy emerged
from the war incomparably stronger
and more powerful than ever before
second only to that of Great Britain
and far in advance of any other for
eign navy, in ships, in men and every
element of strength.
Occasion is taken by the Secretary
of the Navy to express disapproval of
the suggestion that separate air serv-
ice, divorced both from the army and
the navy, be established. Through CO.
operation, naval and military flying
could be derived from a single unified
control, 1t is argued.
Secretary Daniels pays high tribute
to the men who laid the great North
Sea mine fields and those who swept
them away after the armistice, and
asserts that its effectiveness played
vital part in ending the war.