New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-01
FOR A LARGER NAVY.
NO CHANGE OF POLICY.
Representative Dayton Bclicrcs Con-
grcSS Viii Be Liberal.
rrEou TIE TRIBUNE HUEEAU.I

Washington. July S1.-A continuation of the build
ing programme of the navy seems assured. 50 far
the House Committee Naval Affairs is
cerned. a result of the recent trip OF the com
mittee 10 the navy yards aIorg the Atlantic Coast
in the course OF which the yards of private com
panies having government contracts We're also in
spected Representative 4 q. Dayton OF West
Virginia. the ranking Republican member OF the
committee. arrived in Washingto2 to-day. return
ing TO his home after the voyage with the com
rnittee. NJ. Dayton declared that. personally. he
convinced that the private yards are capable
OF taking care OF all the ships which Congress
might authorize at the coming session. His col
leagues the committee he believes. are also coz
WINGED Of this fact. He says there are vacant slips
at the Newport News yard. at the cramps yard
and at the New-York ShipbuldinG CoTpany's
yards. These companies could all take additional
work to the amount Of two or three times vA1t
is likely TO be authorized BY Congress
Mr.. Dayton is enthusiastic believer in con-
tinuOus programme Of naval construction. While
such programme has in reality been carried on
for the last few years. 1t has only been because
the advocates of the larger navy have succeeded.
against strong opposition. in having their ideas
adopted. To adopt a permanent programme. with
the understanding that a certain number OF ships
to he authorized each year. would Obviate
this legislative battle over each naval bill in CON
gress- Mr.. Dayton announces that he will advo-
cate the adoption OF such a programme nj the
coming session of Congress. IS he has in the past
CRITICISM OF NAVY YARDS
While the private yards seem to have created
satisfactory impression on the committee, there is
considerable criticism of the government yards
AIR Dayton declares that not Of the yards
along the Atlantic Coast has adequate room 70
grow. that money appropriated years ago for their
improvement has not Yet been spent. and that the
greatest delay in constructing buildings and making
other improvements is in evidence
The yards a Boston. Brooklyn and Norfolk"
Mr. Dayton continued. were established when the
United States Navy was small and insignificant
and the horizon of the legislative mind was mar
rowed as to the future of the navy. The result
was that in every instance there was n complete
failure buy sufficient water trent on which to
build up a great naval. plant. such as has been
authorized and is necessary for the proper care OF
the navy. Norfolk must necessarily have more
front unless that yard is to be crippled, and
crippled very seriously. in its future work At
Brooklyn the navy yard is just like thin she'll
Every inch of it is occupied, and the great prob
lem is how We can get additional ships and room
condition is found at Boston The nearest ap-
proach TO an ideal yard Is at League Island where
We have beautiful harbor. but the channel re-
quiEes a great deal Of dredging ,.... g.,
that there had been great delay on the part OF con-
that our appropriations were away ahead o. the
work actually done For instance. the drydOck al
one authorized for Boston Is fairly well advanced
but all of them have been authorized four or fve
years and ought to have been entirely completed
Mr., DAYTON does not regard the trip OF the com
the first part of too warm for comfort.
while the last part was entirely too cold. The com
daily sessions. and the whole affair was
a businessIike proceeding The trip did not lnVo We
an expenditure of more Than S9to or Si,Wv ne qe-
clares and we'll worth this expenditure IN Civ
ing the members of the Naval Committee an exact
understanding of the condition OF works Tor Whcn
they will called upon TO vote appropriations at
the coming session of Congress II Will 90 more
than years service on the committee
without personal insight into the exact condlton
of affairs in the opinion of Mr. Dayton
Mr.. DAYTON believes that four or i've ships Shou!d
be authorized a the next session of Congress he
he'll there will be little QlInCuUN IN
getting such an authorization through the House OF
Representatives. -,
battleships Louisiana and Connecticut, the former
being built at the Newport News yard ana me laI-
ter at the government yard at BROOKLYN 10 test
the argument which has been made in favor or the
construction of a batteship in a government Eard-
The two ships begun about the same time but
present progress seems TO argue sOmeWhat IN FAVOR
of the work being done in the private yard at New
port News.