The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-28
Host of Our Naval Vessels Are
Nearly Worthless
When Viewed From the Stand
point of Fighters.
PROGRAMME FOR 1903
As Set Forth in Report Of
Chairman EOSs
Of the House Committee on
Naval Affairs.
PROGRAMME FOR 1908

naval urogramme for 1903, as
presented IN the naval appropriation
bill and accompanying report fled to-
day by Chairman Foss of the house
naval committee, is one of unusual IN
terest. The report does not take as
optimistic a view of our naval prowess
as is generally held and Mr.. toss
points out that comparatively few OF
our ships have any real fighting value
He accompanies this with staternent
of the enormous naval armament Oh
other countries, particularly Germany
It is shown by the report that the
total number of vessels of our navy,
built and building, is 1873, and the total
cost VIII be 2350S2 POS The report
adds.
while we have built and are build
ing, all told, 138 ships, yet compare
lively few Of them have any real fight
ing value Our naval prowess lies al
most entirely in our eighteen battle
ships eight armored cruisers and
tWenty-One protected cruisers. The rest
of our ships would cut but little figure
in actual war. Ships of the battle line
practically alone determine the naval
strength Of a nation"
Referring to the foreign naval pro
gramme the report says:
of all the countries Germany has
been building during the last few years
faster than any of the others Her
shipping programme started in 1893
and viii be completed in 1903; possibly
in 1907. instead of 1916, as first planned
This programme viii give her in all 3S
battleships, IA large cruisers, IS smaller
cruisers and SO 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 pre-
scribed age limit"
Concerning new ships for our navy,
the report says:
The committee recommends that for
naval blishment of the United
States the president would have con
structed two first class battleships,
carrying the heaviest armOr and most
powerful ordnance for vessels of their
class, upon a trial displacement of
about 10000 tons, and to have the
highest practicable speed and great
radius OF action, and to cost exclusive
of armor and armament, not exceed
ing %,zl2,UUO each; two first class ar
mored cruisers of about 1850 tons trial
displacement. to cost exclusive of ar
NOR and armament. not exceeding S4,
$4,000 each. and two gunboats of about
LOCO tons trial displacement.
In view of the fact that there is some
phbhc sentiment favorable to building
shlps In our government navy yards
II has been deemed advisable by the
committee to insert a provision in this
Dill this year, leaving it to the discre-
ton Of the secretary of the navy to build
some or all the ships in government
TO construct a least one battleship or
one armored cruiser in such navy yard
as he may designate as an experiment:
and II Is further provided that he shall
Keep an accurate account of all expendf-
lures for labor and material in the in
spection and construction of such ship
ana report to congress at each session,
ana upon the completion of said ship he
snail make a detailed report showing
the relative cost Of one built by the gov
ernment and one by contract. 1t is be
ileHeQ Oy your committee that nothing
snort OF an experiment OF this kind will
show whether private contractors have
been reasonable in their bids and fur
enernore be used for future guidance
in the continued construction of our
navy An appropriation of $4,000 is
ship is built
The complete cost Of two first class
battleships, two first class armored
cruisers and two gunboard with total
tonnage OF $1,000 tons. viii approximate
TzsioVOU UU- THESE battIeShips and cruis-
ers viii be larger than any heretofore
authorized by congress, and the plans
recommended by the board of construc-
Ton already have excited the favorable
comment OF the naval authorities abroad.
The committee is of the opinion that in
recommending the above naval pro
gramme, it is making substantial and
neailhy increase Of our navy, and one
winch Will meet everywhere with pop-
ular favor
Other interesting features Of the bin
are provisions for a board of naval Off
GERS TO recommend a site for a naval
training station at some point on the
great lakes; an increase of the enlisted
force Of the navy by 5000 men; provis-
ions tOr new navy ration as reported
by a naval board; an Increase Of the
by 500
The detailed statement shows that the
appropriation bill carries S77, 659, 1856,
which is slightly below the appropria-
ton made last year. Some of the main
items in this total are the following.
Some of the main items in this total
are the following:
Pay of the navv..... s1e 100 100