The morning times., 1896-03-26

The report of the House Committee on
Naval Affairs, which was prepared by its
chairman, Mr.. Boutelle, of Maine, contains
careful review of the committees work
in the preparation of the appropriation bill
which was reported Tuesday.
The report shows that under the in
crease of the Navy" the estimates for the
next fiscal year called for So, ,522, 1888 for
carrying on the work of construction OF
the hulls and machinery, armor and arma-
Inent and equipment of vessels heretofore
authorized.
Under this head the committee have added
appropriations amounting to $3,256, $50
FOR work during the next fiscal year i'll the
construction offour seagoing battlcships and
fifteen torpedo boats, making the total
Appropriation for increase OF the navy
$12,779,133 In continuation of this sub
ject the report states:
Upon full consideration, your commit
tee determined that the best interests Of
the navy will be served by devoting such APP
preparations for new vessels as shall be made
at this session to the construction OF YES
sells of those two classes, and in this view
they find support in practical consensus
Of opinion among naval Officers and the
strong recommendation OF the Secretary
of the Navy.
CHEAPNEss OF CONSTRUCTION.
Under all the circumstances, and in view
Of the remarkable decrease in the cost OF
construction of ships, the committee have
felt disposed to recommend a liberal proyis-
H,i
the largest authorization of tonnage and
expenditures that has been made in any
year since the building of the new navy
began. The four battleships and fifteen
torpedo boats viii aggregate about $4,000
tons, to cost exclusive of ARMAMENT, not
exceeding SIC, 1878 600"
The report shows that the present bill
carries an increase OF So, ,46S, ABS over the
amount carried by helast tannuaiappropria-
ton, and So ,3O1 ,619 over the estimates
submitted by the department. This in
crease is due to number of items, some
Of which are herewith given:
THE GENERAL ESTABLISHMENT.
Under the general establishment" the
pay of the Navy has been Increased $451,-
544, and contingent $40 900, making SAIL
544 in all, which is principally on account of
provision for the enlistment OF another
! 600 additional men, requested by the de-
partment to furnish crews for vessels al
ready in commission and 10 be put in COM
mission during the next fiscal year. >
To provide for the additional men en-
listed from time to time during he present
fiscal year, the sum of 81 l76.4S1 was appro-
priatcd in the act OF March ., 995. and the
estimates for the next fiscal year called for
S3TS.075 more tran The estimates OF the
year before, to provide 81 1S,025 variation
in duty pay of officers and pay OF cadets.
and $360,o0o for pay of 900 additional
men.
In addition the bill carries $3.50 600,
which, it is estimated, viii suffice 10 pay
the additional meu provided in this act
for the time Of their probable enlistment
aud service during the year.
INCREASE ALL AROUND.
Under the bureau OF navigation there
IS an increase OF $3.50 for bounties for
outfits of apprentices, which was cut
down last year; OF $500 for water-works
at naval training station in Rhode Island.
and 50 900 for necessary repairs at Naval
War College.
tuuSI luS buItdh VI OJulldHCe llipEe II n
Increase of Ss79.5OO, the principal new
provisions being for reserve supply of guns
FOR ships for the Navy, $3.50, COO reserve
supply OF pro5cctiles. 5000, 900; additional
supply OF torpedoes, 81 $4,000; reserve guns
for auxiliary cruisers. S25O,O0O; naval
magazine at Fort Mfflin, Pa, $4,000:
water supply for naval magazine at Dover.
y. j., $4,000; ard extending sea wall ut
torpedo station. Newport, $4,000.
Under the bureau of construction and re-
pair there i S anincrcase of 81 ,O65, 500. The
general item OF construction and repair of
vessels is increased by $350,O0O, and
like sunni appropriatedto TO cover deficiency
forthe present year. Other items for repairs
are those for the Hartford 500, 600, and
The Chicago S250,00O.
For new boilers and machinery for the
Atlantic, Dolphin, and Hartford S235. 900
IS appropriated.