Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-12-22
Plan to Build Twelve More to be
Presented to Congress.
A SHARE FOR THIS YARD
Facilities for All the Contracts That NAV
DE Awarded. Some Opposition
Amons::Certain shipbuilders.
The Recommend alton.


The proposition of the Secretary Of
he Navy to build twelve additonali
warships is af distinctly local interest.
i'll as much as it is certain that this
yard will gea a fair share Of the work
provided Congress decides to adopt the
suggestion and vote the where withal.
1t means. if it is a CO. an Increased
population for the city, and more work
for all. 1t also means m ore money for
circulation, and even better business
than the frst-rate article, the mer-
chants are now enjoying.
1t is stated that some of the Shipbuild-
ers are raising objections to the plan Of
letting all of the contracts at once on
account of limited facilities. AT New
port News, however, there are facilities
for building all of the ships that the
Navy Department will award to the
shipbuilding company. Here tn ere are
two large electric cantilever cranes
standing now and two others are being
built. The next three months will see
the last Of these completed.
1t is true that there are still six new
ships to be built here, in addition to the
three battleships now in the water and
the three merchant ships on the ways.
If the warship contracts are awarded
the Newport News yard will get it's
share and if the ways are crowded when
it is time to commence work. there is
plenty of room at the shipyard for more
cranes.
Assurances have been given to Presi-
dent Mckinley and Secretary Of the
Navy Long by members Of the Naval
Committees of Congress, says the New
York Herald. that the shipbuilding pro-
Gramme which they recommended will
be adopted This means that Congress
will pledge the government to the ex-
penditure of almost 100000 for in
creasing the navy. An immediate ap-
preparation of such large sum will
not, of course, be necessary. 1t will be
spread over a period of at least four,
years. In the Forthcoming Naval APP
preparation bill an expenditure of only
ten to fifteen million dollars need be
authorized.
Tt is proposed to distribute the money
among fifteen vessels, three Of which
will be seagoing sheathed and coppered
battleships Of 1850, tons, to have
speed above eighteen knots if possible;
three sheathed and coppered armored
cruisers OF about 10000 tons and at
least twenty-five knots speed; three
sheathed and coppered protected cruis-
coppered cruisers of $500 tons.
Strange as it may seem, some opposi-
ton has developed from the shipbuild-
ers of the country who may try to Sc
cure reduction in the number of ships
authorized. or, if Congress be willing,
to obtain the authorization of fifteen
ships. the contracts for a certain num-
Der of which are to be placed yearly
until the entire programme has been
executed. Opposition of the shipbuild
ers arises from the fact that their
plants are not large enough to accom-
modate the entire construction, espe-
cially when this government already
has under way eight battleships four
monitors one protected cruiser, sixteen
torpedo boat destroyers, TWENTY-FIVE
torpedo boats. one training ship for
the Naval Academy and one submarine
topedo boat, and is awaiting the close
of the negotiations of the Anglo-Ameri-
can High Commission to place con-
tract with a lake shipbuilder for the
construction Of a gunboat. Apprehen-
sion Is SO felt by the shipbuilders that
Congress may direct the construction
Of some Of the vessels at the navy
yard, and that it is desired to prevent
il possible.
There is reason to believe, however,
that Secretary Long will seriously con-
slider the advisa bility of recommending
to Congress that three vessels, probably
of the 5000 ton class, be constructed in
the Brooklyn. Norfolk and Mare Island
navy yards. Some Of the officials Of the
department. believe it would be the part
Of wisdom to take such action, especi-
ally in view Of the alleged congestion
Of the shipbuilding yards. Other off,
Gals may oppose the proposition and
point to the difficulties of government
construction, as shown in the case OF
vessels now IN service.
!t. i II yE