The Nome nugget., 1925-01-17
SECRETARY WILBUR's ANNUAL REPORT
 OF NAVY AFFAIRS FOR THE YEAR

WASHINGlON Jan J, NAfJ-MOueTnlLdtloH Ol the six older batleships of the American fleet is es sential Secretary Wilbur declared lately in his an nua report. If ratio of naval strength is to be maintained He indicated his intention to renew the Departments much debated recommendation for special appropriation for the purpose.
 The report omitted the annual study of the Navy General Board relating to supplementary construc- ton required to round out the fleet. and made no direct reference to the of ten cruisers and sundry auxiliary craft which failed of passage in the final hours of last session The Secretary is under stood have decided to this subject in a special report the House subcommittee on naval appropriations. Neither did he include in his annual report recommendation for change in the Navy's authorized personnel of s6,o0O.
 While the report of the General Board for the current year is withheld from publication 1t is said in naval circles have stressed the increasing essity for expediting construction program rect deficiencies in the fleet which, the board held prevents the United States from maintaining its proper ratio under the limitations treaty.
 Over-Occan Airpane Ordered
 With respect to aircraft, Secretary Wilbur said the special board appointed to develop policy had not completed it's work but had far enough to make certain that the navy already recognizes the importance of the air to modern fleet The recent contract for, patrol plane capable of sustaining flight from San Diego Honolulu is believed to have more than casual connection with this study.
 ''rhe policy of maintaining the fleet on the Pa cifc Coast is approved and should be adhered to, the Secretary said. adding that facilities there fol its maintenance should be extended.
 Inadequate funds for repairs the cause lowered material condition in the fleet during the past year, he said. and this condition might be pected to become more serious the ships aged A subsidiary effect of inadequate appropriations would be breaking up of expert navy yard organi- cations, the report warned.
 The battleships Wyoming. Florida. Utah and Ar kansas found unsafe for fleet work" because of improper boilers the Secretary reported, but he said temporary repairs had been made all ex- cept the Florida, which still is of commission He characterized the reboering of these units "a military necessity"
 Scrapping Program Progressing
 Declaring the scrapping program progress ing according schedule, Secretary Wilbur pre- dicted it's completion we'll within the period allotted
 
 though the report written before the filing of the recent nunctionsuit to prevent the sinking in target practice of the uncompleted battleshp Wash ington the Secretary devoted considerable space description of the tests to which the ship to be put. It was the only hull, the Secretary said which embodied constructura ideas intended to meet modern mining and aerial attack and the Department regarded it as essential that information be obtained of the efficiency of such installation Had the Washington not been available, the report said, it would have been necessary to construct at heavy cost models containing the same features
 Attention was called to the need of formulating new Congressional policy to control naval oil re- serves, in the that the Governments suit against the present leases in the Teapot Dome and California is carried to a successful verdict In the meantime the Secretary said, the reserves are being administered under careful receivership
 "The moral standard' of the service is at it's highest the report declared, "and the Government IS to be congratulated upon the devotion of the of fcers who have designed built, managed and con troled its ships"
 "The Navy is great asset to the Nation in peace well in war" the Secretary asserted "I cannot but believe that the American Navy is great asset to all nations a guarantee of peace and order"
 Shortage of Officers Cited The report called attention to the increasing shortage of officer personnel, declaring it already had become necessary utilize young officers with limited service in responsible positions It was