The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-09
.icw War Ships for Our Navy.

The Naval Appropriation bill Is soon to
come up in the House. 1t will provide for
only one new vessel. although that Is to be
nm nrmorcd cruiser Of the best type. gen.
orally resembling tho New York. and as far
us possible an Improvement upon her.
While this limited provision for the in
crease of the navy has n precedent in last
years session. which also authorized only
one largo new vessel. it contrasts greatly
with the liberal action of the Fifty-flrst Con-
gress ut its first session, and must be some-
thing of disappointment to the country.
Tho House Naval Committee is naturally
dcsircus to give It's aid to the general policy
of frigaltv. But it coull secure great rc-
trcnrlncnt with less restriction than 1t now
proposes. II we look at Secretary TRACY's
estimates for tho coming year. we find that
tho sum he asks for the increase OF the navy
is Sl2,2s0.s55. rs against sls.i7l. 800 estimated
for tho same purpose last year, and ST.
G07.o2o actually appropriated.
Accordingly. should the Fifty-second
Congress give the Secretary oil he asks for
this purpose. it would still cut down by
more than Sj.32G,OoO tho similar appropria-
lions of its predecessor last year Mean
while tho routine department expenditures
arc about rs usual so that tho total esti-
mates for this year are s27 194. G39.sO. against
S33,G2G, oGG.sl asked for and $685. .1457S &c
tually appropriated last year.
Secretary TRACY thus took pains to well
come the rctrcnchmcnt policy OF the new
Congress. He voluntarily brought down
his estimates as far as the public good per-
mittcd instead of trying to put Congress
into the attitude of refusing needed sup
plies. We're all the other annual appropria-
ton bills cut down us much proportionally.
tho FIfty-sccond Congress would have q
marvellous record. Yet this is u popular
form of expenditure. tho whole country
taking Il pride in tho building up OF our
navy. and in it's records Of surprising other
nations in speed or guns or armOr.
Mr.. TRACY recommended two battle
ships of the Indiana class and one armored
cruiser like tho New York. Surely Congress
might authorize one of each type. He has
asked for four small vessels for special SER
vice on the Asintic and South Atlantic sta
tons: surely two could be authorized.
which together would only cost $SOO.OOO.
with perhaps hail That sum needed for a first
installmcnr. He has asked for more torpe-
do boats, and, since these small and mex
pensive craft can DO built even in minor
shops, not only on the seahoard. but In the
heart OF the country. the interests OF home
industry everywhere should support such
an addition to our naval resources.
The last Congress. ut its long session,
corresponding to the present. authorized
three great battle ships Of the Indiana type.
which alone will cost, for hulls and ma
chinery, $9.22O.ooo; the triple-screw cruiser
Pirate. to cost S2.725.OOo: IL torpedo cruiser
for which the allowance should now be
slightly increased. and a new torpedo boat.
A much smaller expenditure will now
suffice. but there should be liberal pro-
vision for going on with this good work.
1t should be kept in mind that. as only in
stallments are required at each session for
the work authorized. those now voted will
be substitutes for others that will success
sively drop out with the completion OF ves-
sells under construction. d.
Besides. Secretary TRACY's report directly
declares that. remarkable as is his pres
ent reduction in estimates. a much larger
reduction will take place in the follow
ing year. which will substantially COM
plcte all the work in progress under exist
Ing authorizations Of Congress" The argyll
menu for taking up and vigorously carrying
aneaSt TINS work Is, IN TACT. overwhelming.
While tho Naval Committee has taken q
conservative view in its provisions for new
vessels. and will propose one fine new war
ship. Congress might wisely supply the
authority to so further. The navy we now
have was enough to save us a few months
ago from the alternative OF war with Chill
or national disgrace. The navy We mean
soon to have will save us from wars with
more powerful nations hereafter.