Evening star., 1939-11-26
Fleet Needs More
Men and Auxiliary
Ships, Edison Says
Navy Otherwise at High
State Of Efficiency,
Report Declares

BY the Associated Press.
Acting Secretary Charles Edison
reported yesterday that the expand
ing Navy was handicapped by
shortage of trained officers and men
and needed more auxiliary vessels,
but otherwise was at high state
of efficiency.
In his annual report to President
Roosevelt, Mr.. Edison said: The
Navy is prepared to exercise its vital
function of bringing the enemy to
our terms as quickly as possible,
while. keeping him at safe distance
from our shores"
The complaint of a shortage in
warship crews was drafted prior to
the European war and before Mr..
Roosevelt directed the addition of
about $4,000 men in his September
proclamation of a limited national
emergency Officials said, however,
it will be some months before all are
recruited and trained.
The Edison report covered the fiS-
cal year ending last June 80.
In that period, warcraft, aside from
submarines, operated with only 85.6
per cent of their full compliments
of sailors, he said, and vessels of the
fleet lacked their full quotas of off,
GERS.
S,671 Line Officers Needed.
Blaming Congress for failing to
provide sufficient appropriations,
Acting Secretary Edison commented:
although the allowances pre-
scribed proved adequate for the
peacetime training and operation of
the individual ships, they are not
sufficient to provide for speedy
and efficient mobilization which con-
templates the complete and efficient
manning of useful combatant ships.
now in full commission, in reduced
commission, or out of commission.
in addition to many auxiliary YES
sells that will be obtained from the
merchant marine"
He said official studies indicated
8,671 line officers were needed for
all ships, built and building. There
were only 6,877 on the active list
June 80, although Congress author
lied an increase from 6,53l to 1862.
The shortage is chiefly in the lower
ranks.
Detailing the progress of con-
Struction, Mr.. Edison said 18 fight
ing ships and auxiliaries were
commissioned Work was started
or ordered begun on Al of 43 war
ships for which Congress provided
initial funds. Altogether los ships
of all types were listed as under
construction on June 80.
More Auxiliaries Required.
The new ships included two
45,000-ton battleships. Mr.. Edison
said recommendations as to the
size of other capital craft would be
made from time to time as neces-
sary to best meet the needs of
national security"
The status of our naval auXilia-
ries is still very unsatisfactory" he
advised, adding that "it may be ex-
pected also that more auxiliaries,
in addition to requirements, will be
required to meet the demands of
our expanding fleet"
The creation of merchant ma
rine of modern, fast and efficiently
manned vessels is a measure of
great importance to national secu-
rity as an auxiliary war reserve of
vessels not needed for use in peace
time, but urgently and promptly
required in war; he commented.
Mr.. Edison became acting head of
the Navy on the death of Secretary
Swanson. which he described as
"an irreparable loss" to the Navy.
He also lauded Admiral Harry E.
Yarnell, who retired recently as
commander of the Asiatic Fleet.
The report specifically recon-
mended that major units of the
fleet continue to be based in the
Pacific Coast area.