The record-union., 1899-12-04
ITEMS Soft Hats, SI.5O, $3.50.

follows: Appropriations, exclusive OF
public works, SSO,576, 1861; amount
drawn, S39,O45, 1881; balance on June
/ 80, $41, 531, 313.1O.
| The estimates for 190O-19O1 follow
For 1900, $49, OIL 1886. IS; for 1901, $74,-
| go, 3O9 10
| 1t will be noticed that the naval esti-
mates for the fiscal year 1901 reach
the total of $74, $50, 3O9.15, being an in
crease of $25, 1925, 1895 over the appro-
| priations for the present fiscal year.
| While this increase is large, it is to be
| found in the three items of public i'm
| provements, the construction and re-
pair of vessels and increase of the
INSTRUMENTATION and machinery.
| 1t is to be remembered that the naval
establishment has greatly increased in
the past year or two, and it is neces-
sary to maintain it in AN efficient con-
| dition-
| NAVAL CONSTRUCTION ABROAD.
| In order that it may be seen at a
glance what other great powers are
| doing in the matter of naval construc-
ton as compared with our own pro-
gress, the department has had the fol-
mage laid down in 1899 and the total
| tonnage now under construction:
Laid down in 1899: England, 247,-
900 tons; France, IA, 1879; Germany,
81, 324 Italy, 1880; Russia, 65,50l
United States, "a, 1O1.
Total now under construction: Eng
land, 531, $50 tons; France, 253, 5333 !;
Germany, 14S, 235; Italy, 40, $40; Japan,
1 on -
123, 236.
INCREASE OF THE NAVY.
The number Of large, swift and pow
erful armored cruisers of great coal en-
durance in our navy is largely dis
proportiOnate to the rest of the naval
establishment. The experience of the
last year has also shown the need of
several smaller vessels usually classed
as gunboats. It is therefore recon-
mended that Congress be requested to
authorize the construction of the fol-
lowing vessels:
First-Three armored cruisers, of
about $4,000 tons trial displacement
of a maximum draft at deep load not to
exceed 26 feet, carrying the heaviest
armor and most powerful ordnance for
vessels of their class, to be sheathed
and coppered and to have the highest
practicable speed and great radius of
action.
Second-Twelve gunboats. of about
900 tons trial displacement, to be
sheathed and coppered.
And, third, as recommended q year
ago, three protected cruisers of about
5000 tons trial displacement, carrying
the most powerful ordnance for vessels
of their class, to be sheathed and cop
pered, and to have the highest practic-
able speed and great radius of action
The increase in the tonnage of the
last three named vessels from 5000
tons, as recommended a year ago, to
5000 tons is suggested by the naval
board on construction as better
adapted to the present needs of the
service. The same board are also of
the opinion that if any of the fore
going vessels are authorized, the law
should provide that in case satisfactory
bids cannot be obtained for their con-
struction by contract, the department
shall have authority to construct the
same in the navy yards.
CONSOLIDATION OF BUREAUS.
In the opinion of the department it
would be in the interest of good bust
ness organization and economy to con-
solidate the three Bureau of Construc-
ton and Repair, Steam Engineering and
Equipment under one head. These bu
reaus have to do with the construction
and fitting out of vessels; in one word,