The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-25
NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
As Prepared by the House Committee
1t Carries $31 ,611 -

Aatt.
WASHINGTON, March 24.-The naval ap-
preparation bill for the fiscal year. which
begins on July 1, next, was completed to-
day by the House committee on naval af-
fairs and may be considered by the House
this week. The total amount carried by the
bill is SCI. GIL. 034, of which $12, 779, 1873 is for
the increase of the navy. The appropriation
is an increase over the amount of the last
bill. which was about twenty-nine and one
third millions. The principal features of the
bill have been mentioned as they were de-
cided on by the committee. Under the in
crease OF the navy. the chief items are four
new battle ships and fifteen torpedo boats,
the former Ito carry the heaviest armor
and most powerful ordnance on a displace-
ment of about eleven thousand tons, and
to have the highest practicable speed for
vessels of this class" Speed premiums are
not to be offered: all parts Of the vessels
are to be of dometic manufacture and the
contracts are to be let within ninety days
after the passage of the act. One firm, under
the act, may bid for ali of the vessels. For
the hnlls and outside of the vessel and
steam machinery heretofore authorized, ST.
670.679 is made available: for the armor and
armament for vessels authorized by the
acts of 1856, 1890. 1892, 1898 and this act, and
the three torpedo boats authorized by the
act of 1896. $4,S71. 454 Is appropriated; for the
completion OF the equipment of new vessels,
s235. 100.
Under the bureau of construction and re-
pair, $l,2s0,0c0 Is carried for the construction
and repair of vessels and an additional sum
OF $3.50, 600 Is made Immediately available for
work urgently required on the Miantonomoh.
Bennington. Baltimore. Petrol, Mohican,
Ranger. Atlanta, Nesuvius, the tugs For
tune and Standish. and the Pensacola and
Swatara. the latter two OF which are to be
sod. 1t is stipulated that no expenditures
are TO be made for the repair of any wooden
ships when the estimated cost OF repairs
exceeds 10 per cent. of the cost of "A new
ship OF the same material and size. and
special Items are included of $3.50. 600 for re-
pairs to the Chicago and SlUo, 900 for the
Hartford, the latter vessel being exempted
from the 10 per cent. Droviso. An expendi-
ture OF 81, 500 Is authorized for the plans and
preliminary work for a model tank for try
ing models Of vessels 10 be built, on the old
naval observatory grounds, in Washington,
and to be placed at the disposal OF private
periments in the tank For steam machin-
cry OF vessels. s72S.000 Is appropriated, and,
In addition. there are special items of $780,
900 fer the Chicago: $100. 900 for the Atlanta
Immediately availabie): $780, 600 for the Doll
phin Immediately availablel. and $4,000 for
the Hartford.
For equipment OF vessels. S1,3I2,147 is car
ried. for ordnance and ordnance stores. S192.-
900: reserve guns for auxiliary cruisers. $685.
0o0. for arming and equipping naval militia,
10000. for maintenance OF yards and docks,
S265. 900; $4,000 for the Port Royal. s. c.,
dry-dock station. which includes $4,000 for