New-York tribune., 1901-01-20
NAVY APPROPRIATIONS
BILL AS REPORTED TO HOUSE PROVIDES
FOR EXPENDITURE OF $77,016,635-
TWO BATTLESHIPS AND TWO
CRUISERS CALLED FOR
CRUISERS CALLED FOR.

Washington Jan. 19-The Naval Appropria-
,on bill was reported to the House to-day with
an elaborate statement of its provisions by
chairman Foss Of the Naval Committee The
hill carries $77O16, ,635 the largest ever reported
.o the House from the Committee on Naval At
fairs This is S1l,Si5,71S above the bill of last
,,egr. and .395 below the estimates sub
Ia1tted by the Navy Department
Concerning new ships for the Navy, the re-
port says:
For the purpose of further increasing the
naval establishment of the United States the
committee recommends that the President be
authorized 10 have built by contract two un-
eheathed seagoing battleships, carrying the
heaviest arInOr and the most powerful ordnance
sor vessels Of their class upon a trial displace-
ynent Of about 1900 tons EACH TO have the
highest practicable speed and greatest radius of
action. and to cost, exclusive of armor and
armament, not exceeding So $4,000 each, and
two unsheathed armored cruisers carrying the
heaviest armor and most powerful ordnance for
vessels OF their class, upon a trial displacement
of about l4.vU tons each, and TO have the high
est practicable speed and greatest radius of
flor and TO cost. exclusive of armor and arma-
ynent not exceeding S4,ODO.0tD each. Maximum
cost Of the vessels herein authorized exclusive
Of armor and armament, will be S15,700.O00.
The bill provides that not more than one bat
tIeship or armored cruiser shall be built in
yard or by one party, and the usual provision
g made that at least and not more than
two Of the battleships and armored cruisers
shall be built on the Pacific Coast
Of the appropriations for the various branches
~ the service the principal item Is SO. 100000
Cor the increase ot the Navy. The pay of the
Navy is increased 50. .4S9,3S7 over the appro-
nriaticns for the same object last year, and is
accounted for by the authority granted to the
renartrnent 10 enlist five thousand additional
saamen and fifty warrant machinists to meet
the necessity Of properly manning the new ships
soon to be added to the Navy To meet the
emergency of the lack Of officers for the new
ships the bill provides that the two classes now
Al sea which have completed their four years
course at the Naval Academy shall be commits
s,oned thereupon. This will provide for the new
officers desired by the Department, and in the
Judgment of the committee will meet all the
exigencies of the present situation.
The continued necessity for emergency fund
Is found 20 exist in the unsettled state Of affairs
In the Far East. and enables the Department
TO meet contingencies " hich it is impossible to
anticipate with sufficient accuracy to specifically
estimate for.
The following places receive appropriations
FOR naval work: Portsmouth. S37S $50; Boston,
S52G OOO: New-York, 81. 1.O09 900; League Island,
$685., go; Washington. $31S,210; Norfolk S594,-
2G0; Key West. S144,G00; Mare Island. 1881 .66O:
Puget Sound. $273000; San Juan, $4,000; Pen
sacola. Sal 800; Algiers S230,O00; Dry Tortugas,
SltHtOhbb, Hawaii Sloi,'DVyI lululldp S--J,orO'
For the four new drydocks building at
Portsmouth. Boston, League Island and Mare
Island s. I,OO0.oo0 is provided The committee
recommends this year an appropriation Of S3,-
O00 900 toward the rebuilding of the Naval
Academy. In last years bill S350000 was ap-
proprated; prior 10 that time S1220.00O, max
ing a total appropriation of $1,57OOOO prior to
the present bill
The report says in part as to armor:
Yc,ir committee also provides under the in
crease Of the Navy appropriation Of $4,000
00D for and armament for ships now
Under construction. 1t viii be remembered that
Congress wisely solved the perpleXing question
81 providing armor plate for our ships last year
by the enactment Of a provision giving the
Secretary Of the Navy full power to buy arnor
al such price as in his judgment might seem
reasonable and just build armor plate
factory. toward which S4,000,o00 was appro-
priated. II ought TO be matter Of general con-
graduation that the arnor plate question has
been settled through the skill, firmness and ex-
cellent judgment of the Secretary Of the Navy
in carrying out the evident purposes Of Con-
gTess.