12/08/1909
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
"Every one must admit the wisdom of providing for the payment of the canal expenditure by bonds."
"The ultimate personnel would reach 3,000 line officers and midshipmen and 60,000 enlisted men; but under the measure as drawn, the full authorized strength of officers and men can not be reached for a..."
"I earnestly urge upon the Congress the passage of suitable personnel legislation."
"The effect of the proposed measure would be to promote our officers to the grade of rear-admiral at an average age of 54 to 55, and to make the average of all the rear-admirals about 58."