The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-05-02
NAVY Of UNITED STATES.
Naval Programme for 1908 as Pre-
scnted In the Report of the
Naval Committee.
CONTINUED CONSTRUCTION ADVOCATED.
While We Have I3s ships DuiIt and
building. Comparatively Few ~
Them are Of Fighting Naiue-bat-
tie Line ships the Ones That De-
termine Naval strength.

Washington, April 2o.-The naval
programme for 1908. as presented in
the naval appropriation and accom-
panying report filed by Chairman
Foss, 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 gem
orally held, and Mr. Foss points on.
that comparatively few of our ships
have any real fighting value. He ac-
companies this with statement Of
the enormous naval equipments and
programmes of other countries. par
ticularly Germany. II is shown by
the report that the total number Of
vessels of our navy, built and build
ing. is 13s and The total cost will be
sa35.0s2.209. The report adds:
while we have built and are build
ing. all told. l3s 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 81 pro-
tected 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 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 ship-building programme started
in 1s9s and will be completed in 1905;
possibly in 1907. instead of 1916. as
first planned. This programme vii
give her in all IS battleships, IA large
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-.
scribed age limit
Concerning new ships for our navy
the report SAYS: THE committee rec.
ommends that for the purpose ot
further increasing the naval estab.
lishment of the United States the
president have constructed two first.
class battleships carrying tine heavi-
est armor and most powerful ord.
nance for vessels of their class upon
trial displacement of about 10000
tons, and 10 have the highest prac-
ticable speed and great radius OF ac-
ton, and to cost, exclusive of armor
and armament. not exceeding S4,212.-
600 each; two first-class armored
cruisers of about IA 500 tons trial dis.
placement. To cost. exclusive Of armor
and armament, not exceeding 81 $50
600 each. and two gunboats of about
LOCO 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 by
the committee to insert provision in
the appropriation bill ofthis year leav.
ing II in the discretion OF the secretary
Of the navy to build any or all ships
in government yards. but making IL
mandatory on him to construct az
least one battleship or one armored
cruiser in such navy yard as he may
designate, as an experiment: and il
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 n,
each session, and upon the compile.
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. 1t is believed
by your committee that nothin,
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 i'm the continued
construction Of our navy. An an.
preparation Of $4,000 is recommend.
ed for each yard in which a ship Is
built.
The complete cost of the two first.
class battleships, two frst-class ar.
mored cruisers and two gunboats.
with total tannoge of $4,000 tons, will
approximate 500, SOC, 900. 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
OF the naval authorities abroad. The
committee is of the opinion that in
recommending the above naval pro-
gramme IL is making substantial!
and healthy increase of our navy. and
one which will meet everywhere with
popular favor"
American Navy Disgraccd.