Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-22
Naval Appropriation Bill Reported
to the House.
PROVISION FOR A new MAINE
An Increase Over the Estimates as
Submitted by the Department.
QUESTION OF DRY DOCKS

The naval appropriation bill, as reported
to the House today, carries a total Of S35,-
6SSO5S, an increase over last year of S3.-
I6i, ,432 and over the current estimates of
s2.5lI,S
For the increase of the navy the bill al
lows to be constructed by contract three
seagoing coast-line battle ships designed to
carry the heaviest armor and most power
ful ordnance. displacement ll.0o0 TONS with
the highest practicable speed for their class,
to cost. exclusive of armament. not exceed
ing S.OO0,oo0 each, one to be named the
Maine: six torpedo boats. $50 tons displace-
ment. and six torpedo boat destroyers,
about $50 tons displacement, to cost not
exceeding S,3i0,0o0. and one gunboat to
take the place of the United States steamer
Michigan to cost, exclusive of armament,
rot over s26O,0o0. to be built on the great
lakes. One of these seagoing battle
slips is to be built on the Pacific
coast. The contracts for the construction
of all these vessels are to be made within
sixty days of the enactment of the bill.
Dry Docks.
Toward the construction of four timber
dry docks. s20O.OOo each is allowed, each to
be not less than 200 feet long and sufficient
to meet probable future requirements of
Portsmouth, n. H.; Boston, Mass; League
Island, Pa, and Mare Island, Cal, the to-
tai cost when completed not to exceed
$S50.O00 each The Algiers, La, dry dock is
to be a double-sided, steel floating type
known as the combined floating and grav-
ing self-docking dock, capable of lifting a
vessel of 15,GW tons displacement and
twenty-seven feet draft of water, to cost,
including moorings and wharf. $3.50. .0So, OF
which S200,Ooo is appropriated this year.
ii
of naval officers to determine the desira-
bility Of locating and constructing dry
dock in the harbor of Galveston, Texas,
and to report to Congress at the next ses-
sion.
Toward the armament and armor Of do
mestic manufacture of vessels authorized
under four previous acts and the present
bill, including the completion of the ord
nance outfit for the six torpedo boat de-
stroyers and six torpedo boats there is an
item of $5,45S.St0, the total cost of the
armor. according to the plans and specifica-
tions already prepared for the three bat
tie ships authorized by the act of June 10.
1896. not to exceed So 2i0.O00, including all
nickel in the same and exclusive of the
cost OF transportation, tests. etc, and no
contract for armor plate TO average exceed
ing 800 per ton. To complete the equip
ment outfit of new vessels heretofore au-
thorized, $4,000 is given.
To install electric plants in gunboats
numbered ten. eleven, twelve and thirteen
St0.oo0. The committee provide that If the
battle ship directed 10 be built the Pa
cific coast cannot be built at a cost not
exceeding per cent above the lowest ac-
cepted bid for the other battle ships IL Is
to be constructed elsewhere in the country.
Local Items.
The bill contains a number of appropria-
tions of local interest.
For the purchase and erection of new and
improved machinery for the gun plant at
ha r5
For clerical force at the Washington
navy yard. under the bureau OF ordnance,
SIS, $3.50, the same as the current law
For clerical force at the Washington
navy yard, under the bureau OF equipment,
81 600, same current law.
For clerical force at the Washington
navy yard under the bureau of yards and ,
docks, si,41S; no change from existing law.
For improvement electric plant, WASH
inEtoa navy yard, $4,000: storehouse for
guns, S35 900; new roof for south gun shop,
SO. .347: total. SI6.341, against 81. 132 So ap-
propriated under this head by current law.
Naval obseryatory-For grounds. roads
ard Improvements, $1,000, an increase of
5000; for repairs $1,000 new).
For clerical force at the Washington
navy yard under the bureau of supplies
and accounts, s6.4i7.25 (no change).
For clerical force at Washington navy
yard under bureau of construction and re-
pairs, 81. 400 (no change).
To reimburse the enlisted men of the
marine corps who lost-clothing in the fires
at the navy yard, Washington, in 1897.
Ss1.13
A provision was Inserted in the bill for
the appointment, for temporary service. of
twenty-five acting assistant surgeons. who
shall have the relative rank and compensa-
tion of assistant surgeons. No person
shall be appointed assistant surgeon until
he has been examined and approved by a
beard of naval surgeons, designated by the
Secretary of the Navy. nor who is under
twenty-one or over thirty years of age, in
elusive.
The active list of assistant paynasters
shall hereafter consist Of twenty-five
The sum of S93, ,721 is provided for the
erection of buildings on government ground
location not otherwise specified) for the
manufacture of smokeless powder.