The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-14
FAvoRS A BIG NAVY.
Congressman Dayton Wants 1t Half
as Large us EnEiand's.


as Large us EnEiand's.
Representative Dayton CT West yfr-
ginia, a member of the House Naval At
fairs Committee, in discussing needed
legislation, said today:
I believe that the United states should
have Navy whose strength should be at
least half of that Of England othtr
countries are increasing their naFies
rapidly, and the United States cannot a
ford TO be in the rear of the procession.
We can afford to spend approximately as
much on the Navy as on our Army, and
with s10o, 00O, 600 per annum to expend on
the Navy we should have one Viii sh I'LL
be a source of pride and qualification to
every American am believer in bat
tleships. It is in the battleship the re-
lance of the country on the sea must he
placed II do not think We should IN
dertake to force the construction Of the
Navy beyond the capacity of the AmeFi-
can shfpyards. as all of car ships should
be constructed at home In fact. spend
ing money on the Navy is good way II
put it in circulation, for all of it goes
TO American shipyards or foundries and
to American workmen-"
Mr. Dayton said he thought liberal
appropriation would be made during the
coming session for the construction Of
battieships, and that from four to six
battleships or cruisers should be author
lied.
"Our great trouble he continued.
will be in finding tn officers and men for
the new Navy. Il viii not be so d m :ult
to secure men after the country becomes
aware of the fact that the Navy wants
more men, and good men, but we are IN
no position TO equip cur vessels WITH OH
GERS. / have always favored Academy
educated officers for the Navy. l believe.
therefore, that the attendance at the
Academy should be increased to point
sufficient to insure a steady supply OF
officers. l am inclined to favor Admiral
Crowninshield's recommendation that
there should for the next ten years be
two cadets at Annapolis for each Con-
gressional district and four from the
State-at-Iarge- This should relieve the
present situation materially"
Mr.. Dayton was asked IL he thought $40
per ton was too much to pay for armoT
plate, il being reported that the SecFe-
tary of the Navy would sign contract at
that price. IF Dir. Long" he said, has
secured a contract at that price he has done
more than anyone. even the most hopeful,
anticipated. There is always great deal
Of nonsense uttered about aFmor plate, be
cause of the almost unlimited opportunity
it gives for buncombe. No 4e0 men could
take up the question of this character and
deal with it in a purely business way, and
Congress acted wisely in placing the mat
ter in the hands of the Secretary OF the
Navy with certain instructions An armoI
pate factory is not needed, and I doubt il
the Government could construct armer al
| its own plant nearly as cheaply as it can
purchase II from private PARTIES. I an
always opposed TO the Government COM
peting with private contractors where il
can be avoided. and from accounts in 9th
er Government enterprises 1t would appear
that instead Of securing the armoF al $40
per ton It would cost $500 to 81 600 per ton
If made by the Government.