Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-04-30
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Appropriation Bill and Report Filed
by Chairman Foss.
GALL FOR NEW BATTLESHIPS
Report Does Not Take the Optimistic
View of Our Naval Prowess
Generally Held-Bill Car
ries 81 ,659,3S6.

programme for 1903 as presented III
the naval appropriation bill and &C.
companying report filed by Chairman
Foss of the house naval committee Is
one of unusual interest. The report
does not take as optimistic view OF
our naval prowess as is generally held.
and Mr.. Foss points out that compare,
lively few of our ships have any real
lighting value. He accompanies this
with a statement of the enormous ma
val armament and programmes OF 9TH
or countries, particularly Germany.
II is shown by the report that the to-
tai number Of vessels Of our navy, built
and building, is 1873, and the total will
be 35.OS2, 2O9. The report ADDS:
"While we have built and are building
all told, 1873 ships, yet comparatively
few of them have any real fighting val
he. Our naval proves lies almost en-
tirely in our eighteen battleships, eight
armored cruisers and twenty-one pro-
tected cruisers. The rest Of our ships
would cut but little figure in actual
war. Ships of the battle line practical
iv alone determine the naval strength
Of nation"
Referring to the foreign naval pro-
gramme, the report says:
"Of all the countries Germany mas
been building during the last few years
faster than any of the others. Her
shipbuilding programme started in 1898
and will be completed in 1908, possibly
in 1907. instead Of 1915 as first plan
ned, This programme will give her in
all thirty-eight battleships, fourteen
large cruisers, thirty-eight smaller
cruisers and ninety-six torpedo boats
After the completion Of this programme
the plan contemplates new construc
tons to replace ships which. though
still serviceable, may have reached thu
prescribed age limit"
New Ships Recommended.
Concerning new ships for our navy
the report says: ''The committee rec
ommends that for the purpose of fur
Their increasing the naval establish
ment of the United States the presl
dent have constructed two first elias
I battleships, carrying the heaviest al
NOR and most powerful ordnance TO
vessels of their class upon trial dis
placement Of about 10000 tons, and
have the highest practicable speed an
great radius of action and to cost, eN
elusive or armor and armament, nc
exceeding $4212OO0 each; two frs
class armored cruisers of about 14,oO
tons trial displacement, to cost, e.
elusive of armor and armament, nc
exceeding $4,659,OOO each, and tW
gunboats of about 1000 tons trial di
placement
"In view of the fact that there
some public sentiment favorable
building ships in our government nav
yards, it has been deemed advisable [
the committee to insert a. provision
- the appropriation bill Of this We;
leaving it in the discretion of the sc
. rotary of the navy to build any or O
ships in government yards, but ma
ing it mandatory on him to constru
Il at least one battleship or one armor'
cruiser in such navy yard as he ma
| designate as an experiment, and it
further provided that he shall keep
accurate account. of all eXpendltur
for labor and for material in the
spection and construction Of such 81
III and report to congress at each sessle
and upon the completion Of said ST
he shall make detailed report sho
ing the relative cost Of one built
| the government and one by contra
1t Is believed by your committee TT
nothing short Of an experiment OF Il
kind will show whether private c.
tractors have been reasonable In tn
bids and, furthermore,>be basis
future guidance in the continued G.
struction Of our navy. An appropl
ton Of $4,000 is recommended
- This sig1