The Monticellonian., 1902-05-02
NAVY 0F UNITED STATES.
Naval Programme for 1903 as Pre- sented In the Report of the
 Naval Committee.
CONTINUED CONSTRUCTION ADVOCATED.
Building, Comparatively Few of Them are of Fighting Nalue-Bat- tie Line ships the ones That De- termine Naval Strength.

Washington, April 29.-The naval programme for 1903, as presented in the naval appropriation and accom- panying report filed by Chairman Floss, of the house naval committee, is one of unusual interest The re- port does not take as optimistic a view of our naval progress as is gen erally held, and Mir. Floss points out that comparatively few of our ships have any real fighting value. He ac- companies this with a statement of the enormous naval equipments and programmes of other countries, par ticularly Germany. It is shown by the report that the total number of vessels of our navy, built and build- ing, k l3s and the total cost will be S235, ,0S2 ,209. The report adds:
 While we have built and are build ing, all told, 13s ships, yet compara- lively few of them have any real fighting value. Our naval prowess lies almost entirely in our IS battleships, eight armored cruisers and 21 pro- teeted cruisers. The rest of our ships would cnt but little figure in actual war Ships of the battle line prac- tical1y alone determine the naval strength of 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 shlp-building programme started in 1898 and will be completed in 1908; possibly in 1907, instead of 1916. as first planned. This programme will give her in all 3s battleships, IA large cruisers, B smaller cruisers and 96 torpedo boats. After the completion of this programme the plan contem- plates new constructions to replace ships which, though still very service able, may have reached the pre- seribed age limit"
 Concerning new ships for our navy, the report says: The committee rec ommends that for the purpose of further increasing the naval estab- lishment of the United States the president have constructed two first class battleships carrying the heavi- est armor and most powerful ord nance for vessels of their class upon trial displacement of about 16,OOo tons, and to have the highest prac- ticable speed and great radius of ac- tion, and to cost, exclusive of armor and armament, not exceeding $4.212.- 00O each; two tirst-class armored cruisers of about 14,500 tons trial dis. placement, to cost, exclusive of armor and armament, not exceeding s4,659,- 600 each, and two gunboats of about 1000 tons trial displacement.
 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 bv the committee to insert provision in the appropriation bill of this year leav- ing it in the discretion of the secretary of the navy to build any or all ships in government yards, but making it mandatory on him to construct at least one battleship or one armored cruiser in such navy yard as he may designate, as an experiment.; and it Is further provided that he shall keep an accurate account of all ex- penditures for labor and material in the inspection and construction of such ship and report to congress at each session, and upon the comple- ton of said ship he shall make a de- tailed report showing the relative cost of one built by the government and one by contract. It is believed by your committee that nothing short of an experiment of this kind will show whether private contrac- tors have been reasonable in their bids, and, furthermore, be valuable for future guidance in the continued construction of our navy. An an. propriation of S175,000 is recommend. ed for each yard in which shin is built.
 The complete cost of the two first class battleships, two first-class ar- mored cruisers and two gunboats, with total tannoge of 63,00O tons. will approximate S29, ,500 ,00O These battle ships and cruisers will be larger than any heretofore authorized by con gress, and the plans recommended by the board of construction already have excited the favorable comment CT the naval authorities abroad. The committee is of the opinion that in the above naval pre- gramme it is making a substantial and healthy increase of our navy. anu one which will meet everywhere with popular favor"