Omaha daily bee., 1920-12-14

Of economy and efficiency is made by
the naval secretary. He declares
that America should have but one
navy" and that at present there are
various little navies" under various
government departments whose ac-
tivities could, be far more advan-
'agcously directed under single
control.
The Navy department now oper-
ates total of 979 vessels, Mr.. Dam
iels points out, while the War de-
partment maintains fleet Of $50
craft, exclusive of l,245 other vessels
of various types used in harbor
work; the treasury, l0l ships; the De-
partment of Commerce, l47; the ship
ping board, 1,s10,. and miscellaneous
divisions more than 200 others.
Amalgamation with the navy of the
coast guard and the lighthouse and
life-saving services is particularly
urged by Mr.. Daniels and he also
says "it wohld be to the advantage
Of the army as we'll as the navy ii
all United States> transports were
manned by the navy in time, of peace
as we'll as war"
Says Policy Vindicated.
In reviewing the operations Of the
fleets during the year Mr.. Daniels
asserts that mo policy adopted in
recent years has sounder military
basis or has been more completely
justified than that of maintaining two
great fleets, one on each of the great
oceans we are called upon to defend.
with provision for their operation as
one single fleet Gratifying prog
ress was made in target practice, in
the training of new recruits and ma.
neuvering during the year, the re-
port adds.
Reviewing the remaining work un-
der the 1916 building program, Mr..
Daniels says construction is going
forward as rapidly as can be expect
ed under the conditions encountered.
All of the destroyers OF that program
have been completed except IL,
which it was decided not to construct
because of surplus of this type OF
vessel. The 10 scout cruisers are
going forward rapidly" the secre-
tary states, and goot progress has
been mdae on the submarines except
the nine feet submersibles. of which
but three have been started. Eleven
battleships and six great battle cruis-
ers also remain under construction.
Urges Air Department.
The secretary rcnews his previous
fy voiced opposition to consolidation
of army, navy and commercial avia.
tion and recommended the creation
of separate bureau of>aeronautics
in the Navy department. I'm conne.-
tion with his review of the activities
OF naval aviation during the year.
Mr.. Daniels asserts that the United
States is still far behind other coun.
tries in lighter-than-air craft" and
urges continuation of the develop
ment rasn;,s Of this branch Of the aerial
The safeguarding of the navy's ell
reserves is vigorously urged by Mr..
Daniels, who declares the assurance
of an adequate Gil supply for the
navy is vital to the service.
Mr.. Daniels devotes consider
able portion of his report to the
marine occupation of Haiti and to
the investigation now being corr
Quoted there by special naval board
of inquiry. He gives in fnil the va
rious reports of Investigations by
Major General Lejeune, Brisadier
General Barnett and others, which
previously have been published, and
declared that "thc duty of inaintain-
ing order and suppressing revolu-
tionary movements has been per-
formed in a spirit which has received
the highest commentator from all
who have familiarized themselves
with the true history of the service
of tire marines in Haiti y