Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1902-05-02
FOSS ON THE NAVY.
cInrcs II Has No Ren1 Value
Extracts from His Report.

Washington, April 29.-The naval
programme for 1908, as presented in
the naval appropriation bill and ac-
companying report fled Monday by
Chairman Foss of the house naval
committee, is one of unusual interest.
The report does not take as optimis-
tic 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 accompanies this with a state
ment of the enormous naval arma-
ment and programmes of other coun-
tries, particularly Germany.
1t is shown by the report that the
total number of vessels of our navy,
built and building, is 1913, and the
total cost will be $235,0s2,2 200. The re-
port adds:
"While we have built and are building,
all told, 1873 ships, yet comparatively few
of them have any real fighting value. Our
naval prowess lies almost entirely in our is
battleships, eight-armored cruisers, and Il
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 nation
Referring to the foreign naval programme
| the report says:
"Of all the countries. Germany has been
| building during the last few years faster
| than any of the others. Her ship-building
| programme started in 1898 and will be COM
| pleted In 1905; possibly In 1907 instead OF
| 1916 as first planned This programme VIII
give her in all 3S battleships, IA large cruls-
ers, 3S smaller cruisers, and 96 torpedo
boats. After the completion of this pro-
gramme the plan contemplates new con-
| ra,Nfa Oh
still servlceable, may have reached the pre-
scrlbed age limit"
Concerning new ships for our navy the
report says:
'The committee recommend that for the
! purpose of further increasing the naval es-
tablishment of the United States the presi-
dent have constructed two first-class bat
| tleships carrying the heaviest armor and
most powerful ordnance for vessels OF
| their class upon a trial displacement or
| about 1000 tons. and to have the highest
practicable speed and great radius of ac-
ton and to cost, exclusive of armor and
armament, not exceeding S,2l2,OJO each;
two first-class armored cruisers of about
500 tons trial displacement, TO cost, ex-
elusive of armor and armament, not e&-
ceeding Si659,oC0 each, and two Sunboats
of about leo tons trial displacement.
''In view of the fact that there is some
public sentiment favorable to building
ships in our government navy yards, 1t has
been deemed advisable by the committee TO
insert provision In the appropriation bill
of this year leaving 1t in the discretion of
the secretary of the navy to build any or
all ships In government yards, but making
II mandatory on him to construct at least
one battleship or one armored cruiser III
such navy yard as he may designate. as an
experiment.; and II is further provided that
he shall keep an accurate account OF all
| expenditures for labor and material in the
inspection and construction of such shiT
and report TO congress at each session. and
upon the completion of said ship he shall
make detailed report showing the rela'
| tive cost of one built by the government
| and one 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
in their bids, and furthermore be amis:
for future guidance in the continued con
struction of our navy. An appropriation OF
sl75.CC0 is recommended for each yard II
which a ship is built.
THE complete cost of the two first-clas
battleships, two first-class armored cruis
ers and two gunboats, with total tornag,
of $500 tons will approximate S29,5OO,OOO
These battleships and cruisers VIII b
larger than any heretofore authorized b.
congress. and the plans recommended b.
the board OF construction have already ex
cited the favorable comment of the nava
authorities abroad. The committee is o
! the opinion that In recommending the abov
| naval programme II Is making substantial
and healthy increase of our navy, and on
which will meet everywhere with popula
favor"
) other interesting features of the bill ar
provisions for a board of naval officers I
recommend a site for a naval training sta
tion at some point on the great lakes; a
increase OF the enlisted force of the nav
by 5000 men; provisions for n new navy ra
tion is reported by naval board: an In
crease of the number of cadets at the navS
academy by 500.
The detailed statement shows that tn
appropriation bill carries $50. whic
5 is slightly below the appropriation mad
I last year.