The annual report of the Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Curtis D. Wilbur, to President Coolidge contains a strong appeal to the Government to Toosen the purse-strings in order that the Navy may be maintained at the full strength permitted by the law.
Mr. Wilbur says that with the limited funds available it has been necessary to concentrate on repairs yatiier than on the alterations xrequired to keep first-line ships to the proper standards for fleet service.
There are, according 40 the report, 5,160 officers on the roll this year—339 under strength. It is also impossible for the same reason to maintain the "required" 86,000 ensted strength, by 4,000, 'Mr, Wilbur urges that nominations' to the Annapolis Naval Academy shall be restored to the, basis of five for each member of Congress instead of the present) three necessitated by cuts in the naval estimates.
Referring to the failure up to the present, owing to lack of supplies, to begin construction of the projected six million cubic feet air-'Mr, Wilbur observes that some concern is felt by air officials because the supply of helium obtainable at the plant at Fort Worth, Texas, is dwindling.
'The report records a notable improvement in anti-aircraft gunnery' and announces that powder-propelled catapults are being installed on battleships for Iaunching observation and scouting planes.
'Mr, Wilbur describes the general health of the United States Navy og excellent, the daily sick total being under' three, Desertions, too, ave been the lowest on record.—
Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.