Evening star., 1938-11-20
Program Of Additions
To Navy Urged by
Swanson in Report
Larger Personnel and
Bigger Fleet Held
Needed for U. S.

OI99eI VIeet ueiu
Needed for U. S.
An orderly program" of addi-
tons to the United States Fleet and
requirements within the fleet, i'm
mediate large-scale construction of
fleet auxiliaries and an immediate
increase in commissioned and en-
listed Navy and Marine Corps per-
sonnel are urged by Secretary of
the Navy Swanson in his annual
report, made public last night.
Creation of a merchant marine of
modern, fast, efficiently manned
vessels lis a measure of great i'm
portance to national security as an
auxiliary war reserve of vessels not
needed for naval use in peacetime.
but urgently and promptly required
in time of war;" Secretary Swanson
said.
Despite the present naval con-
struction program, the United
States, unless still further construc-
ton is authorized at once, will con-
tinue considerably" below the
strength in under-age destroyers
and submarines authorized by the
Washington and London naval trea-
ties, according to the report.
1t is highly important, Mr.. Swan
son said, that the Navy be given
sufficient funds for personnel to
furnish 100 per cent allowances for
all vessels in commission in order
that the Navy as whole may be
Immediately available in an emer-
gency.'
Enlisted Strength Increase.
Appropriations for 1888 provided
for an increase of average enlisted
strength from 100000 at the begin
ming to los. 900 at the end of the
fiscal year. Although the number of
vessels in the fleet remained about
the same, commissioning of new and
larger vessels. as contraSted with
retiring of smaller vessels more than
absorbed the increase, it was pointed
out.
1T has been possible to maintain
the larger ships at IS per cent of
the war complement, the minimum
under which these ships can be
safely operated. Mr.. Swanson re-
ported. Submarines have been
maintained at 100 per cent compile
ment and other types at varying
percentages, dependent on the type
and the duty performed. The aver
age allowance was 853 per cent OF
war complement.
The percentage of re-enlistments
for 1893 was 1921 as against 8l.75
for 1887. Mr.. Swanson explaining
that the percentage might be ex-
pected to decrease with the i'm
provement of economic conditions
in the country as whole There
were 1888 new enhstments, from a
total of l72,000 applicants.
The shortage of officer personnel
has been keenly felt by all branches
of the naval service it was re-
ported. The graduation of the Naval
Academy class of 1888 resulted in a
net gain over accumulated losses
through the year of 225 line officers,
making a total on June 80 last of
6,565 officers.
Need for Officers.
Recognizing that 7.2ll line Off
GERS are necessary to man the peace
time treaty Navy now nearly COM
pleted, and some 1900 more for the
naval expansion authorized by the
last Congress, it is apparent that a
serious shortage exists" Mr.. Swan
son reported.
Maintenance of the Naval Acad-
emy ION at least four appointment
basis" is necessary, he said. to make
up for annual losses and to provide
for annual expansion to gradually
make good the existing shortage.
Secretary Swanson reiterated his
plea of last year for increased pay
for naval personnel. pointing out
that since 1908 the average pay Of
officers has increased only about 10
per cent and of enlisted men about
| IS per cent. but that the cost of
living has increased 80 per cent and
is still rising.
Construction of naval auxiliaries
is vitally needed and requests for
authorization and funds will be
made on the basis of an orderly
auxiliary replacement program" Mr.
Swanson said. Lack of seaplane
tenders has made it difficult to en-
ploy patrol airplanes with the fleet
and to form an estimate of the ulti
mate value in national defense, it
was stated.
New Squadron Assembled.
An important development under
naval policy has been to organize
the Navy for operations in either
or both oceans so that expansion
only will be necessary in case OF
national emergency" it was report
ed. Since the close of the past fis-
cal year, in keeping with this policy
the Navy Department has created a
new Atlantic squadron, now in
process of being assembled.
The number of ships in commits
sion and operated at sea during the
year included Is battleships. includ-
ing 3 in reduced commission; II
heavy cruisers, Is light cruisers, 12e
destroyers and light mine layers
including II in reduced commits
sion; So submarines, 5 aircraft car
riers, l mine layer, IA patrol vessels
and 96 auxiliaries of all types.
New vessels placed in commits
sion during the year included light
cruisers, IL destroyers. 6 submarines
aircraft carriers, l oiler and !
ocean tug.
The Navy placed out of commits