The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-29
Provision Made for the Construction
of Two of the Largest Battle
ships Ever Built.
EACH is TO COST $4,212,OO0
ALSO TWO FIRST-CLAsS CRUISERS
AND TWO GUNBOATS.
Constructed in a Navy Yard-50O
More Naval Cadets.

WASHINGTON, April 2S.-The naval
programme for 1903. as presented in the
naval appropriation bill and accompany
ing report, filed to-day by Chairman Foss,
of the House naval committee, is one of
unusual interest. The report does not take
as optimistic a view of our naval prowess
as is generally held, and Mr.. FOss points
out that comparatively few of our ships
have any real fighting value. He accom-
panies this with a statement of the enor-
nous naval armament and programmes Of
other countries, particularly Germany.
1t is shown by the report that the total
number of vessels of navy, built and
building, is 13S. and the total cost will be
S295 OS2, ,2O9. The report adds: while We
have built and are building, all told, 13S
ships yet comparatively few of them have
any real fighting value. Our naval prowess
lies almost entirely in our Is battleships,
8 armored cruisers and 21 protected cruis-
ers. The rest of our ships would cut but
little figure in actual war. Ships of the bat
tie line practically alone determine the
naval strength of nation
Referring TO the foreign naval pro-
gramme the report says: "Of all the coun-
tries, Germany has been building during
the last few years faster than any of the
others Her shipbuilding programme
started in 1898, and will be completed in
1905; possibly in 1907, instead of 1906, as
first planned. This programme will give her
in all 3S battleships. IA large cruisers, 3S
smaller cruisers and 96 torpedo boats
After the completion of this programme
the plan contemplates new constructions
to replace ships. which. though still serv-
iceable may have reached the prescribed
age limit"
Concerning new ships for our navy, the
report says: THE committee recommend
that for the purpose of further increasing
the naval establishment of the United
States, the President have constructed two
first-class battleships carrying the heaviest
armor and most powerful ordnance for ves-
sells of their class upon trial displacement
of about 10 900 tons, and to have the high
est practicable speed and great radius of
action, and to cost. exclusive of armor and
armament. not exceeding S4,212O00 each:
two first-clasS armOred cruisers of about
Il 500 tons trial displacement. to cost ex-
exceed 81. .659 600 each, and two gunboats of
about 1000 tons trial displacement.
AN EXPERIMENT.
.'In view of the fact that there is some
public sentiment favorable to building
ships in our government navy yards. it has
been. deemed advisable by the committee
to insert a provision in the appropriation
bill of this year. leaving 1t in the discre-
ton OF the secretary of the navy to build
any or all ships in government yards. but
making il mandatory on him TO construct
at least one battleship or one armored
cruiser in such navy yard he may desig-
nate. as an experiment; and il is further
provided that he shall keep an accurate ac-
count of all expenditures for labor and ma
terial In the inspection and construction of
such ship and report 10 Congress each ses-
sion. and upon the completion OF said ship
shall make a detailed report showing the
relative cost OF one built by the govern
ment and by contract. 1t is believed by
your committee that nothing short OF an
experiment of this kind will show whether
private contractors have been reasonable
i'm their bids. and. furthermore furnish
figures for future guidance in the continued
construction of our navy. An appropria-
tion of S1T5.0OO IS recommended for each
yard In which ship is built
"The complete cost Of the two first-class
battleships. two first-claSs armored cruis-
ers and two gunboats, with total tonnage
Of $500 tons. will approximate s.. 500 O00
These battleships and cruisers will be