The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-14
Building Up the Navy.

Chairman CUMMINGS committee has at
last completed and reported the annual
supply bill for the navy.
In view Of the condition Of the Treasury.
economy has been the rule In framing this
measure:' and 80 far has this been pushed
that the only new construction authorized
Is that OF four torpedo boats, while even for
them not Q dollar is appropriated. Three
are to be built with a sum OF $4,000 set
apart years ago for a second Vesuvius. and
the fourth with the 500. 200 heretofore ap-
proprlated for submarine boat provided
the Secretary Of the Navy does not deem
the latter preferable.
The reason for this restricted programme
of new construction Is to be found primarily
In the general retrenchment policy Of Con-
gress. but secondarily In the need OF making
very heavy payments for armor. properly
belonging to former years. 1t Is we'll I'M
derstood that the House Naval Committee
would be very glad to forward Secretary
HERBERr's desire for an additional battle
ship. But. In consequence OF the large pay
ments required on old armor contracts. the
present measure carries an appropriation
of sos. s27. go. which is large advance upon
last years bill. In spite OF all economies.
Moreover. since no less than $4,000 900 Is APP
propriated for the armor and armament Of
tho new steel feet. as now built. or build
ing. and s5.s55.025 more for bulls. steam
machinery. and outfits Of vessels hitherto
or now authorized. making nearly $40. OK. 600
for these two items. the bill cannot be said
TO neglect the increase OF the navy.
1t may safely be assumed that the Secre-
tary will exercise the discretion lodged
with him. and construct the four torpedo
boats. He has approved the adverse re-
port of the Chief OF Ordnance upon the
pneumatic system Of the Vesuvius; and in
fact the present bill authorizes her trans
formation into torpedo cruiser of the
ordinary type. which Is expected to make
her more certainly efficient. As. therefore.
q second gunboat OF the pneumatic type Is
out OF the question. the substitution
OF three torpedo boats Is assured. The
Ordnance Bureau has also expressed itself
against the expediency OF constructing
submarine boat at present. although late
experiments at Newport have encouraged
an ultimate attempt in that direction; and.
accordingly, We may expect a fourth tor
pedo boat. These will be direct additions
to our resources for harbor defence.
But we by no means think that the au-
thorzation OF a battle ship at this session L
to be despaired OF. Should the Senate fol-
low its own precedent In the last Congress
and supply this omission in the House bill.
the House. as on the former occasion. might
concur In the amendment No immediate
appropriation would be required. as was
shown in the case Of the Iowa. Again.
when the Iowa was authorized the House
had already provided for the great armored
cruiser Brooklyn. whereas now 1t has au-
thoriEed only few torpedo boats. costing
In the aggregate about One-fifth as much.
and has appropriated no money even for
them. With the further fact that no battle
ship was authorized last year. although the
regular programme is TO add one at each
session. there Is still good reason TO hope
that such ship may finally be provided.
Turning to other features Of the bill We
md that the Hartford Is to have modern
battery and new steam machinery. Thus
FARRA0UT's old flagship will again. after
time. AppeaE In commission; and her pres
snes on the active list Will be all the more
priced. now that the KeATsArge. her COM
pAni0n In glory. Il no more. That this L.
an exceptional honor is seen by reference
70 the ordinary rule. which. - expressed In