New-York tribune., 1900-05-13
THE MUDDLE OVER ARMOR.
NAVAL OFFICERS EXPECT CONSTRUC
TION OF WARSHIPS TO CEASE FOR
A YEAR OR TWO.
A YEAR OR TWO.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

WASHINGTON May 12-Naval officers expect the
srnor mudde fin Congress result in the practical
cessation of construction for year or two'
and in their opinion such outcome might prove
rather beneficial the service than otherwise
The disposition in Congress for several years mas
been antagonisfic 10 healthy naval growth. Appro-
priations for vessels have been influenced by
shpbuilders her than by naval experts Inc
growth of the personnel Of the service has been re-
stricted 10 a demorazing degree undesirable types
of ships have been forced upon the Department.
and in instances legislation has been enacted
with the apparent intent Of encouraging injurious
controversies.
one OF the notable indications of the too rapid
multiplication of ships without definite pro-
gramme- such adopted abroad has been
shown N the last year in the delay in getting out
plans and specifications for the three battleships
and three armored cruisers authorized at the last
session OF Congress- The Board on Construction is
still wrangne over superimposed turrets, sheathed
ships batteries distribution, electrical auXil-
aries and a number of matters which have dis
advantages well as advantages, dependent on the
use the United States will have TO make of its
Navy The Tribune exposed a few days ago the
deIinquencies of the shipbulders under existing
contracts. One batteship which has been eighteen
months building is to-day only per cent advanced
Its completion is due April. but at the present
rate it cannot he finished in four years. The fol-
lowing new steel vessels are laid up in reserve:
Battleships- Massachusetts and Indiana o,.,
Protected cruisers-Columbta. Minneapolis. Olym-
Monitors-Puritan Terror Miantonomoh and
Gunboats-VIcksburg. Newport and vesuvius
Torpedo boats-Ericsson Foote, Cushing, Rodg
ers Winslow. Dupont Rowan. Farragut, Davis
Fox. Morris. Talbot, Gwin, Mackenzie, Mckee,
Manly. Somers and Stiletto
The Raleigh the Bancroft the Cincinnati the
Meyhower. the Topeka. the Boston and the San
Francisco are tied up at Navy yards some ready
for immediate service and all could be made avail
able for duty in short time The Detroit has just
list. The Bennington and the Concord have been
ordered home from Asia for a years repairs at
Navy yard. All these modern steel vessels. and
might be commissioned and kept in service except
for lack of officers and men.
The vessels now being built under contract in
private shipyards at the present time are as fol-
lows:
Protected crlisers...-.... 4
TORPEDO boat destroyers. Is
Six more vessels have been authorized, subject to
the willingness of steelmakers 70 supply armor at
$500 a ton.
DELAY MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL.
The question that agitates the Navy is whether it
would not be well to stop ali construction, take
breathing spell and get rid of of the ''fads'
Of some OF the bureau chiefs-particulary those in
terested in patented rattletraps-in other. words,
make the best of the Navy already in hand. After
officers and men become familiar with and know
in service or building new start could be made
and the Navy could proceed with the strides
in a few years from it did in the last fifteen
years in augmenting the feet. This course, it is
thought by some. would not only relieve the tax
payers from heavy burdens. but would give officers
and officials time to digest the Navy 1t is and it
might serve TO clear up the heads of the bureau
chiefs and bring forth new ideas with regard to
gunnery, ship construction and engine design
II would be better, ii is said, stop all construc-
ton until the personnel problem is worked
Congress might see its way clear to provide officers
and men enough to man the fleet and to solve the
vexed question Of how TO take care of the vessels
now In hand, since there is loud complaint that
these costly structures going rack and ruin
for want Of the necessary and attention to
preserve them in an efficient condition. Some Of
the best and latest ships either already laid up
in ordinary being laid up. The significance
lack and protection