Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-02
Value Of Great Navy
to U. S. Commerce.

oAuV VA 0ACot 4N0Sy
to q. S. Commerce. ;s rsan. ,hs
vessels that make up a combatant
fleet with it's attendant vessels and
supply ships, should meet the ap-
proval of all persons who are inter-
ested in the success of American COM
merce, provided they are satisfied that
the greatest navy in the world is a
necessity to the maintenance of the
greatest commercial fleet in the world.
American commerce reaches out far
beyond the coast states into the very
heart of the embarrassing and manu-
featuring districts of the United
States, and, therefore. the strength
of the Navy Is not q local but ma
question to the whole nation, since
the financial burden which its cost
entails falls on ali sections and
classes which provide the money for
it without regard to local distinc-
ton.
with the condition of the Navy agrees
that to insure its greatest potentiality
il must have two factors-more swift
vessels Of greater size than destroy
ers, either scout cruisers or battle
cruisers. and q personnel strong
condition and ready for action.
Development of these new types
involve machinery and equipment of
great power and sometimes Of intri-
czcy, and they can be handled only
by officers and men highly specialized
Such men cannot-be found; they must
be made. and they can be made only
by q process Of careful development
through a long period OF time.
If the big naval program meets the
support Of Congress, and it is reason
ably certain that Congress will pro-
vide some of these necessary vessels,
Il is ohsicue that, just as the bureau
Of naval ordnance makes pro5ecfiles
for the big guns. while the big guns
are in the factory. the ofhcers and
crews for these incoming vessels
should be in training for the proper
handling of these new ships.
Now the fact is that. according to
the estimates Of the officers of the
bureau Of navigation, which guided
the Navy through the tight places of
| the war, PSI 900 ofdcers and men are
| needed for the purpose Of manning
the ships now in the United States
| feet. without providing for the in
| crease. It is understood that the ma
| val appropriation bill will recommend
| authorized strength of the Navy. 137.-
| 485. plus $4,000 temporarily author
| lied. plus $1,000 seamen apprentices
| plus $4,000 in trade schools and un-
| der instruction plus others for the
| emergency to make up the required
| number. Under the act of August 16
I, 1916. officers to tho number of per
! cent of the enlisted men are author
| lied, but under the terms of the ex-
| pected bill Congress is to he asked
| in effect to, repeal this law by re-
| fusing to authorize officers for O force
| above that of the permanent force
| of 137, ass men. or a total Of $3.50 of
| ficers, who, under existing law. should
be of the regular naval establish
| ment. The conclusion seems to be ir-
4 resistible either that there will not be
| as great q naval program as Secretary
| Daniels recommended or that the per-
| sonnet. especially the oficer person
mel. will be as inadequate in numbers
| relatively. as was the personnel OF
! the Navy at the beginning Of the pres.
7 emit war.