The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-12-30

department Of the government anj
its craft afloat should be operated
by the Navy Department This can
not be considered a radical departure (
or experiment as its worth and prac-
tibility were thoroughly demonstrated
under the severe test OF war"
In reviewing tAe operations Of the
fleets during the year Mr.. Daniels
asserts that mo policy adopted in
recent years mas sounder military
basis or has been more completely
Justified than that Of maintaining two
great fleets, one in each Of the great
oceans we are called upon to defend,
with provision for their operation as
one single fleet" Gratifying pro-
gress was made in target practice, in
the training Of new recruits and ma
neuvering during the year, the report
adds.
Reviewing the remaining work un-
der the 1916 building program. Mr..
Daniels says construction is going
forward as rapidly as can he expect
ed under the conditions encountered.
All Of the destroyers OF that program
have been completed except II which
| it was decided not to construct be
cause of a surplus Of this type OF
vessel. The 10 scout cruisers are
going forward rapidly" the secre-
tary states and good progress has
been made on the submarines except
the fleet submersibles Of which but
three have been started. Eleven bat
tleships and six great battle cruisers
also remain under construction.
Tho navy's work abroad during the
year was reviewed in detail by Mr..
Daniels, particular attention being
given the forces in the Adriatic and
Near East in connection with carrying
out the terms Of the armistice, "a
delicate task in view of the political
and radical rivalries involved" The
work of the forces in Turkish waters
under Rear Admiral Mark Bristol
American high commissioner at Con
staTtinople is highly praised and
Rear Admiral Newton McCully is
cornplimented for his conduct Of a
mission in South Russia.
:. The Secretary renews his previously
vciced opposition to consolidation OF
army. navy and commercial aviation
and recommended the creation Of !
separate bureau Of aeronautics in the
Navy Department. In connection
; with his review OF the activities oi
naval aviation during the year, MI
, Daniels ASSERTS that the United States
is "still far behind other countries il
lighter-than-air craft and urges
continuation of the development o.
this branch of the aerial service.
Mr.. Daniels again recommends gov
= ernment ownership Of all radio facili
ties used in transoccan and ship-to
) shore traffic. Earnings Of navy radi'
5 stations from commercial traffic dur
[ ing the year were more than sl,l00,
= 900, the report says.
THE past year has witnessed tn
g practical completion Of tho creates
construction program ashore ever un
4 dertaken by the navy" the repor
says. The immense dry docks Il
Norfolk; Pearl Harbor. Honolulu
! South Boston, and Hunters Point
c San Francisco, are now in use. Al
aircraft storehouse at Hampton Road
0 has been completed at a cost OF mil
e lion dollars. The Lakehurst dirlgibl
I hangar, the largest in the world. i
G nearing completion. The helium plan
g at Fort Worth, Texas. will be pro
ducing this new balloon gas in guam
= tity before the end Of the year ant
G the new Submarine bases at Ney