New Britain herald., 1925-12-14
NAVAL PROGRESS
 SHOWN IN REPORT
Sec. Wilbur Says Morale Is at
 Highest Point

had progressed steadily and that the morale never was higher.
 Transmitting his annual account ing to the White House MT. Will bur devoted a great portion to air ctivities-including the disastrous voyage of the Shenandoah; the flight toward Honolulu of the PN-9, No. l, and the Arctic thrust of the Mac Milan expedition. He had only high praise for those engaged in these ventures.
 As for the fleet itself, the sue cess of the trip 10 Australia was de- clared to be a practical demonstra- ton of the fitness of the navy and also served to foster friendly rela- tons with our ncighbors of the South Pacific"
 Forced economy, the secretary said, has benefited the navy by eliminating eXtravagance and Was'o' by developing thrift and thorough ness, and in particular by develop ing the skill, zeal and character ol the naval personnel, but he added that when ships became obsolete they should be replaced.
 Shenandoah Disaster
 Referring to the Shenandoah dis aster and the controversy which 1oI- lowed. MT. Wilbur again declared that complete liberty of action was given Lieutenant Commander Zach ary Lansdownc, the ships com mander. As for aviation policies in general, he reiterated his stand that aeronautics should continue as an arm of the fleet.
 "On August 19, 1925" Mir. Will bur said, the chief of naval opera tions held his final conference with Lieutenant Commander LansdoWne concerning the flight at which time Lieutenant Commander l.ansdoWhe expressed himself as satisfied with the date and arrangement for the flight and expressed entire conh- dence in the ability of the ship and crew to successfully complete the proposed flight.
 "At this conference Lieutenant Commander I.ansdowne was again reminded that in accordance with the established policy of the depart ment he was authorized 10 defer the trip, change the itinerary or abandon it altogether if in his ludg- ment such changes were rendered necessary by weather cond''.ens.'
 Aviation Operations
 The naval aviation operations with the MacMillan expedition, the secre- tary said, would furnish valuable ln- formation not only from viewpoint of science and discovery, but in the interest of air operations under new and difficult conditions. The at tempted Hawaiian flight was de- scribed as "another step in advance in the development of material and equipment for naval planes in long distance work over Watcr.' The plane PN-9, No. 1, he added, failed to reach her gial because the fav- orablc winds were of less intensity than anticipated, which with rain squalls accounted for her not having enough fuel.
 Commander John Rodgers and his crew. he said. were due great credit" for their fortitude and re- sourcefulness.
 The report described the courses in aviation instituted at the naval academy adding that it was planned to give more extensive courses to classes upon their graduation. Then taking up the subject in detail; 1t concluded;
 Aircraft operating with the other coordinate arms of the fleet are vitally essential to modern naval operations. The development of naval aviation has progressed dur ing the past year with satisfactory results in spite of many difficulties inherent in the refinement of new art.
 The navy has made every effort to standardize on types of aircraft which are best suited to the needs of the naval service. Planes have been developed and are now in serv. ice with the fleet which combine the functions of scouting, bombing, and torpedo launching. Other types have been developed and arc in ust for observation and spotting scrNicC 10 the hattleships and cruisers Fighting planes will be provided with special reference to the equip ment Of airplano carriers.
 Practical TTainlng
 "Practical training in the tacttca use of aircraft in naval operations was afforded by tho maneuvers hclC thls year and contcring around 'h' Hawaiian Islands. In these opera Hons naval aviation was given n1 important role. A total of 13i naval aircraft were engaged in thes' maneuvcrs, representing an inCreaS' of approximately % per cent oTo the available air strength o' 1h' ilect in inc previous year.
 ne COInblHtI bl'l diI'NH tA dll craft, submarines and surfac" ros Sels again proved the value Of caol type and demonstrated the int"rdc pendence or thcs" three arms of th navy The operations Of th" Carri" Langley in the fleet mancuNtr demonstrated the value ot this typ and served 10 emphasize the need O frst-line aircraft carriers in majo fleet operations.
 "Tn spite Of the lack of carrie tonnage the number of aircraft par ticipating in fleet mancuvcrs has in creased each year since the close o tho war.
 The bureau of aoronantiCs dur ing the year has continued develop ment work in an effort 10 produce thrce-serNice plane available for tn new aircraft carriers. Trials hay been made on such planes and in bureau reports that by the first 0 December 1t will be in position i determine definitely the exact char