The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1906-04-06
BIGGEST FIGHTER.
20,O00-TON MONSTER VOTED BY
HOUSE COMMITTEE.
WILL SURPASS DREADNOUCHT
The Big Ship Will Be Second to None
in Armor, Gun Fire and Fighting
Ability.

Washington, April BY a unani-
nous vote the House Naval Commit
tee yesterday voted for the authoriza-
ton of one battleship, to be the most
powerful in the world. Although the
exact limit of displacement is left to
the discretion of the Navy Department,
the intent of the committee and the
liberality OF the contemplated appro-
EriatiOn is for a craft of 10000 tons
displacement, second to none in armor,
power of gun fire and general fight
ing ability. 1t is hoped it will prove
the superior of the new British Dread.
nought. The committees action is in
line with the views of Admiral Dewey
in favor of larger ships and larger
batteries. as expressed in the Herald
last September, and before the com.
mittee few days ago.
In addition to the battlesh1p the
committee voted for the authorization
of three torpedo boat destroyers, one
craving dock for the Puget Sound
navy yard, at Bremerton, Wash, while
authority is given the secretary to eX-
pend 100000 for the purchase Of
subsurface, submersible or submarine
torpedo boats, after competitive trials
Of various types. The committee also
approved an item of 100000 to be
used in repairing and reftting the IA
nous old frigate Constitution so that
II will be in approximately the same
condition as Admiral Nelson's flagship,
the Victory, at Portsmouth, England.
This does not mean that the frigate
!. will be fitted for cruising. 1t will
simply serve. as show ship.
BY the. action of the committee. II
approved by the House, the Navy De-
partment will have an opportunity to
build a battleship in no manner in
ferior to the Dreadnought. The ex-
act limit of displacement is left to
the discretion Of the Secretary of the
Navy, with the sole restriction that
the craft shall cost not more than &c..
100000, exclusive of armor and arma.
ment. 1t is further stipulated that the
Secretary shall consider not only the
plans drawn by the Board of Con-
struotion of the Navy Department, but
shall invite designs from private build
ers as well.
The 16000-ton battleships hitherto
authorized have cost $4,400,000, ex,
elusive of armor and armament A
limit Of $6,0Oo,eOO is high enough to
permit the building of a 2O,OOO-ton
battleship If desired. No restriction
as to speed or battery will be foun
in the bill as reported The Navy
Department will be unhampered by
any legislative directions as to details.
The naval committee expects this &C
ton to result in the construction of the
finest fighting ship in the world Its
name will be the Constitution, if the
spirit which animates the naval com.
mittee is equally strong in the House.
Representative Cousins, who drafted
the paragraph authorizing the battle.
ship, said yesterday that the question
of naming this splendid craft the Con-
stitution will be later presented to
the House. The Republic is another
name suggested. Chairman Foss of the
naval committee said the action of
the committee was along the lines of
advice given by Secretary Bonaparte,
who said that if we authorized only
one new battleship it should be a very
large one.