Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-01
NAVAL REPORT
ADVERSE TO
SHIPS
CHAIRMAN FoSS SAYS FEW OF
OUR GREAT SHIPS ARE OF
ANY PRACTICAL VALUE FOR
FIGHTING.

FIGHTING.
WASHINGTON. d. O.. April S-The
naval program for 1893 as presented
IN the naval appropriation and accom-
pauyfng report filed today by Chairman
FOES. OF the house naval committee, Is
one OF unusual interest. The report does
not take as optimistic view OF our naval
proves as Is generally held. and Mr.
Fuss 2oIngs cut that comparatively few
az our slisss have any real fighting value.
he accompanies this with a statement OF
the enormous naval armament and pro-
grams OF other countries. particularly
Germany. Il Is shown by the report that
the fetal number OF vessels Of our navy,
bGfit asd building. Is lSS. and the total
cost win be So 0S2 zoe. The report adds:
While we have quilt and are building
all told. is ships. yet comparatively few
OF them have any real fighting value. Our
naval proves is almost entirely In our
eighteen battleships. eight armored cruis-
ers and Il protected cruisers. the rest OF
our ships would cut but little figure In
actual war. Ships Of the battle line prac-
tically alone determine the naval strength
OF a nation"
Referring 70 the foreign hawai- program
the report says:
ssOf All the countries. Germany has been
than any OF the others. Her ship build
ing program started IN 1895 and will be
completed in 1913. possibly IN 1907. instead
Of 1916 as first planned. The program
will give her in all 8 battleships. Il large
cruisers. IS smaller cruisers and IS torpedo
boats After the completion Of this pro-
gram, the plan contemplates new con-
structions TO replace ships. which. though
stfu serviceable may have reached the
prescribed age limit"
Concerning new ships for our navy the
report says:
The committee recommends that for the
purpose OF further increasing the naval
establishment OF the United States. the
president have constructed two frst-class
haftleships. carrying the heaviest armor
and most powerful ordnance for vessels OF
their class upon a trial displacement Of
about 1s 900 tons and to have the highest
practicable speed and greatest radius OF
action. and 70 cost. exclusive OF armor and
armament not exceeding A.M2,0o each;
two t-st-class arrored cruisers Of about
l4500 tons trial displacement 20 cost, ex-
elusive Of arusor and armament, not ex-
ceedIng HISS. 90 each. and two gunooats
OF about TO- 90 trial displacement"
American Built Ships.
IN view % the fact that there is some
public favorable to government navy
yards. Il has been deemed advisable by
the committee 20 insert a provision In the
appropriation sill this year leaving Il In
the discretion % the secretary 81 the navy
20 build any or all ships In government
yards. but making IL mandatory on him
to construct at east one battleship OF one
armored cruiser IN such navy yard as he
may designate. as an experiment; and Il Is
further provided that he shall keep an ac-
curats account &C all expenditures for
labor and material N the inspection and
construction OF such ship and report 20
CONGRESS at each session and upon the
completion OF said ship he shall make
detailed report showing the relative cost
OF one built BY the government and one BY
contract
1T Is believed BY your COMMITTEES that
nothing short OF an experiment OF this
klrd win show whether private contrac-
tors have seen reasonable in their bids,
and furthermore be an example for future
guidance in the construction OF our navy.
An appropriation OF 81. 600 Is recommend
ed for each yard IN which a ship is built.
The complete cost OF the two arst-class
hattieships. two hrst-ciass armored cr1is-
ers and two gunboats. with total tonnage
OF $500 tons win approximate ses.S0c,0oo.
IneEe battleships and cruisers will be
larger than any heretofore authorized by
CONGRESS and the plans recommended by
the Board o. Construction have already
excited the favorable comment OF naval
HufnortUee ABROAD Inc committee u o.
opinion that in recommending the above
naval program. II Is taking a substantial
and healthy increase OF our navy one
which viii meet everywhere the most pop
Ular favor"
Other interesting features OF the bin are
provisions for board OF naval officers 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 aooo men; the provisions for a
new navy ration as reported by a naval
board. an increase OF the number OF ca
diets at the naval academy by 500.
The detailed statement shows that the
appropriation bill carries 81. .SS6. which
IS slightly below the appropriation adopt
ed last year. Some OF the main items In
this total are the following:
Pay OF the navy -. 80. ........... SIG. is. 1s9
Emergency funds -. -. .. $500. 10000
Bureau Navigation 80. -. 49,. rs. s71
Bureau Ordance -. -. -. -. -. 3I0e. COS
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