Evening star., 1935-09-27
INCREASING NAVY
URGED IN FORUM
Assistant Secretary Roose-
welt Declares Service Is
{ "WoefuIIy Lacking"

The increase of the Navy's man
power and auxiliary warships was ad-
vocated last night by Assistant Secre-
tary of the Navy Henry L. Roosevelt.
Speaking in the National Radio
Forum, arranged by The Star and
carried over Nation network
Of the National Broadcasttog Co., Col.
Roosevelt praised the naval personnel,
but said it was not adequate despite
the fact the enlisted strength Of the
Navy has been increased about is per
cent in the last three years.
An expansion, based on the expsn-
sion of the Navy, is planned to bring
the personnel establishment up to
adequate numbers, he said.
The Navy is "woefully lacking" he
continued, in auxiliaries-tankers, re-
pair ships, tenders for submarines,
marine transports and hospital ships.
"Our merchant marine as it exists
today Is most valuable auxiliary to
the fleet" Col. Roosevelt declared,
''but it is far too small; and, In any
case, a certain number of specially
designed vessels are urgently needed" !"
He discussed the Navy building pro-
gram in detail, expressing the hope
that construction of 36 more destroy
ers and Is more submarines to round
out treaty-strength feet will be
authorized.
The text Of Col Roosevelts address:
1t is my privilege tonight to ad-
dress the Radio Forum on the subject
of the United States Navy. and its
development under the stewardship
of the present administration. Our
citizens these days are turning their
scrutiny upon our Naval establish
ment.
What of the United States Fleet?
What of the bases ashore that sup
port the feet? What of our officers
and men, their morale, and their
fitness? In a word is the American
Navy ready and adequate to meet the
demands that might be imposed upon
it in the interests of national security?
Certain persons and certain agencies
have gained the public ear with COM
ment and criticism indicating de-
f1ciencies and imperfections. in Navy
personnel and Navy materiel. What
are these criticisms? Are they sound
and informed, or are they frivolous and
mischievous? These questions are
rightly asked, and they deserve frank
answers.
The mission of the Navy is briefly
stated 1t is: To insure the integrity
of our coasts. and of our insular
-I
sea-borne commerce. 1t is not de-
signed or administered for aggres-
sion Its purpose is national defense.
1t is simply, national insurance in
its cheapest and sanest form. Its
strength is determined by your rep
resentatiyes in Congress: and its
fitness and efficiency is the RESPONSE
bility of its civilian and naval heads.
To be adequate. it must be strong
enough. in the various categories of
ships, and in the number and dis
tribution of its personnel to meet
the requirements of our naval policy.
Naval Power Is Relative.
That statement is a little like
Abraham Lincoln's Judgment on the
proper length for a mans legs: He
said a mans legs ought to be long
enough to reach from his coat tails
to the ground. But, as matter of
fact, modern naval strength is rela-
tive: it is the principle, these days,
to compute it in relation to the naval
strength of our neighbors in the
family of nations. Certain treaties,
notably those signed at Washington
on February 6, 1922; and at London
April %, 1880, set up a standard of
naval armament between the i'm
portant sea powers of the world
Making no comment here on any other
naval power. it must be noted that
the United States. after signing those
treaties, failed to build the vessels
in which it was then deficient. or to
provide for the replacement of vessels
which were obsolete or becoming
obsolescent through age in service.
On the third of March. 1922, the
situation of the United States Navy
was as follows: We had 35l ,030 tens
of ships yet to be built under the
treaties with Great Britain and Japan
the following categorieS Aircraft car
rierS, $500 tons; heavy cruisers, 30
900 tons; light cruisers, 87,100 tons;
destroyers. 1873 900 tons, ard sub
marines, 40, 73O tons.
This enormous tonnage of unbuilG
ships was due to simple neglect OF
our Navy between the years 1922 to
1888. During this period there had
been laid down for the United States
Navy. 173.095 tons; by the British
Navy. 394 ,819 tons; and by the Japa-
nese Navy 360,770 tons.
Early in 1888 steps were taken by
the President and by the Congress
toNcorrect this situation. with the re-
suit that during the year. 101 900 tons
Of ships were provided for, and con-
tracts and awards made for the fcl-
lowing: Two aircraft carriers, one
heavy cruiser, four light cruisers,
eight destroyer leaders, Is destroyers.
four submarines and TWO gunboats.
Work Continued in 1894.
In 1884. there were laid down Gne
heavy cruiser. 10000 tons; three lighs
VI uloClo, <O,OOU buAhos Two destroyer.
leaders, $500 tons: twelve dsStroyers,
$4,000 tons, and six Submarines; and
in 1895, contracts have been awarded
for. one aircraft carrier, two light
cruisers, Is destroyeEs. and six sub
marines, totaling 66.ss0 tons.
This means that sll aircraft car
riers, and heavy and light cruisers.
which are allowed 20 the United
States Navy under International trea-
ties, are either building or contracts
have been made therefor.
There remain to be built q tgSal
of 81 vessels, SO stsstsoysss sad IL
submarines-which under the present
building program VIII be completed
by, 1912. Thereafter, If tlSs sseaGdss
are continued, only geplece4zsezsss wiH
benneeded among sEss fsassttzg ships.
There is still a general class os
ships required to rourd oa& the Sect