The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1901-01-26
UNCLE SANS NEN F!GHTERS
CONTRACT WILL BE SOON LET,
Moran Broa. Of Seattle VIA Probably
Get One 60 RutId--Navs Asks for .
Large Appropriation-More New
Cruhxera.

Washington, Jan. 2S.-The board Of
naval construction has completed the re-
vision OF the specifications vi tine battle
ships with a view to the bringing Of the
cost within the figures OF the bidders. The
electric light plants have been retained in
the specifications, but by making 1umer-
Gus small cuts and reducing the fund re-
served from the total cost Of the snip on
account of inspection the desired result has
been obtained and President 0lcott and
Judge Payson, representing both the New
port News and Bath companies, are pre-
pared to accept the contracts for the ships
ON the board terms.
Moran Bros. of Seattle already have
verbally notified Secretary Long oi their
purpose to accept the award in their case,
80 that although some technieahties .emlin
10 be disposed Of in connection with their
contracts, the navy department practically
aas concluded the task OF allottirg the
greatest contract for naval construction
work ever let in the history OF the Ameri-
can navy. Ii congress adopts the depart
ments suggestion for construction in the
pending navy hill and provides for four
new bAttleships and two armored cruisers
It Is the purpose OF the navy department
not to prepare new plans, but to invite bids
Lpon the plans used for the ships Just
Contracted for. In this case a long step
all be taken toward recovering the ground
,ost during the past year.
Ina Az i'm ia mn tfaF Of Anu.kr,,a-
lion is the matter OF opening the proposals
Tor the building Of six cruisers on the i'm
proved olympia type, which is to take
place February l. This vessel being OF
smaller pattern than the big ships il is the
expectation OF the department that some
II the smaller building concerns AMI those
new to the business who Jailed to secure
Awards for bIttleships and armOred eruis-
ers may secure contracts within their abiI-
,ty, Tor it is doubtful if the large eoaeerns
Sin be in a position to bid low for any of
these.
Concerning the new ships for the navy
the report says: For the purpose OF iur-
lher increasing the naval establishment OF
the United States the committee recon-
,nends that the president be authorized to
lave built by contract two unsheathed sea-
going battleships, carrying the heaviest
amor and the most powerful ordnance for
sessels of their class on trial displaee-
nent of about I4,00O tons each, to have the
highest practicable speed and greatest rad
JUS OF action, and TO cost, exclusive OF ar.
nor and armament, not exceeding $780,
30 each; and two unsheathed armored
ruisers carrying the heaviest armOr and
most powerful ordnance for vessels of their
lass, upon a trial displacement Of about
1900 tons each, and to have the highest
practicable speed and greatest radius OF
'etion, and to cost, exclusive of armor and
armament, not exceeding 100000 each.
The maximum cost of the vessels herein
authorized, exclusive of armor and arma-
nent, viii be Sl5,7OOOOO.7
The bill provides that no more than one
'attleship or arm0red cruiser shall be built
n one yard or by one party, and the usual
Eovision Is made that at least one and not
more than two of the battleships and ar
n0red cruisers shall be built on the Pacific
cast
OF the appropriations for the variou,
ranches OF the service the principal item
5 SO, 100000 for the increase Of the navy
he payment Of the navy is increased 81,
over the appropriations for the
anne object Last year. and is accounted for
y the authority granted to the depart.
lent to enlist 5000 additional seamen and
% warrant m1ehinists to meet the neces-
ity OF properly manning the new ships
oon to be added to the navy. To meet
ne emergency of the Lack of officers for
he new ships the bill provides that the
~o classes now at sea which have com
leted their four years course at the naval
eademy shall be commissioned thereupon.
his will provide for the naval officers de-
lred by the department and in the lud9.
lent OF the committee, will meet ali the
xlgencies of the present situation