Evening star., 1934-09-20

More than $4,000 workers are now
on the pay rolls of the navy yards and
naval bases-10, 900 more than a year
ago-and with the new construction
in prospect this number will be further
increased. In private yards, it is esti-
mated that more than $4,000 workers
will find jobs on naval contracts. And
I might remark here that the Navy,
which does all its own maintenance
and repair, as well as full half of its
own construction, ranks high among
the industries employing skilled labor
in this country. The money it spends
is spent at home-roughly, IS per cent
for labor-and this money is not only
translated into the ships we need, but
it affords security and independence to
a very large group of workers and sup
port to wide range of subsidiary
industries.
So much for replacement and con-
structiol The Navy has in the last
year progressed along other lines to-
ward the ideal of balance. It is pro-
vided in the Vinson-Trammell bill
that naval aircraft, SO essential as
auxiliaries, shall be increased in cor
rect proportion to the increase in
ships.
We are justly proud of our air force
in the Navy. 1t Is not widely adver-
tised part Of our naval service, but
some idea of its activity may be gained
from the fact that, during the recent
cruise Of the fleet from the West
Coast to the Atlantic seaboard, and
incident to the exercises carried out
at sea, the planes Of the three aircraft
carriers with the fleet flew approx
mately 1,34l 500 miles. This was ac-
complished without single actual
casualty.
Flight Not a Stunt.
| Early in this year Patrol Squadron
! 10-F flew in formation and on sched-
ule from San Francisco to Pearl Har-
Dor. 1t was a service squadron,
manned by the usual personnel, and
| operating under service conditions.
The fact that 1t made the longest for
nation flight on record Is only incl
dental, because it was not stunt in
| any sense, but routine naval aircraft
operation.
In the months Of August and Sep
| lClIDCl IWO pdllOl VI tllC
Aircraft Base Force are making a
| 7,000-mile coastwise flight from San
Diego to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and
return. The Navy is thoroughly air
minded.
The Marine Corps that glamorous
section of our combat forces, has also
made progress toward increased eff
! cheney and usefulness. There has been
organized, and is now being, the force
! called the Fleet Marine Force. Formed
ashore at its San Diego and Quantico
bases, 1t Is held, under its proper
| officers. at the disposal of the COM
mander in chief of the United States
| Fleet, and constitutes a unit specially
| trained and equipped for the amphib-
ious problems that do not fail to face
the fleets at sea. 1t is a vital addi-
ton to feet strength. The Marine
Corps was granted an increase in per-
! sonnel during the current year. It
now numbers 1900 officers and men
In the Marine Corps. also. the prin-
ciple of promotion by selection has
been established through personnel
| legislation enacted by the last Con-
gress. The Navy has enjoyed the
! benefits of advancement by selection
since 1916. and its experience is con-
vincing as to the merits of such a
system. In fact, the principle of pro-
motion by selection has been consid-
cred SO successful that at its last ses-
sion Congress enacted bill extending
this form of promotion to the grades
Of lieutenant and lieutenant COM
| mander in the Navy