The Washington herald., 1907-10-26
CABINET IN MEETING
Naval Matters occupy First
Session Since June.
ESTIMATES WILL BE HIGH
More Money VIII BE Needed for the
Maintenance of Navy than Last
Year, When SIO3,OOO,OOO Was APP
prOpriated-New Ships Not Dis
cussed-Want Base on Pacific.

Secretary Of the Navy Metcalf held the
center Of the stage at the regular meet
ing of the Cabinet yesterday.
II was the first Cabinet session since
President Roosevelt went TO Oyster Bay,
in June, and, while there were many
other things to talk over, the interest in
naval affairs, with particular reference
10 contemplated increases in the feet and
the personnel, was so great that the
meeting was taken up in listening 10 an
explanation from Mr.. Metcalf Of the
estimates of appropriations which were
regarded as necessary for the conduct Of
the naval establishment in the fiscal year
TO begin on July l. 1908.
The estimates Of appropriations pro-
vide for a considerable increase over the
aggregate Of the estimates for the cur
rent fiscal year. which were greatly in
excess Of the total amount allowed by
Congress. Just how much will be asked
for by Secretary Metcalf has not been
made known, but the principal items of
increase are for work under the Bureaus
of Ordnance, Yards and Docks, and
Equipment. and for the pay Of enlisted
men.
The Navy Department twill ask Con-
gress to increase the present enlisted
strength by 5000 so that enough men
viii be available for the war ships which
VIII be completed soon. and about $5.OOO-
600 in addition to tire amount asked for
last year VIII be requested TO pay them.
More guns. more dry docks, and provision
for the new fre-control system on battle
ships and armored cruisers will help swell
the estimates Last year the estimates
were Sis, AZ. $50, but Congress cut this
total down 20 Sl02 OIL ,070.
No Reference TO Fleet.
The estimates submitted to the Presi-
! dent and the Cabinet by Secretary Met
calf did not include provision for any
! increase in the fleet. No decision has
been reached by the President and the
Secretary Of the Navy as 10 the number
and the character Of the vessels for the
construction of which Congress viii De
asked 10 appropriate. The desire of the
I administration Is to obtain authority tc
make a substantial increase in the mum
/ Der of lIne-of-battle ships. but considera-
/ ton Of the advisability Of asking for more
/ than Congress would be willing probably
10 allow has resulted in a decision q
/ give longer thought 20 the subject.
/ Varying opinions as to the number OF
! battle ships should be included IN IN,
/ recommendation of the Secretary Of the
/ Navy have been expressed by those i'm
mediately concerned, who include Pres
/ ident Roosevelt. Secretary Metcalf, IN,
members OF the general board of the navy
and high ranking naval officers. Some
are in favor OF asking for two battle
/ ships and others for three.
/ Ia the course OF the discussion az the
/ Cabinet meeting, some attention was de
voted 30 the subject of providing more
adequate docking facilities for large yes
| sells OF war at places on the Pacific Coast
/ This subject has become prominent il
/ official circles on account OF the decision
10 send the battle-ship feet to the Pa
/ cific. and the knowledge that the pres
| ent docking facilities are wholly INSULT
/ cient. San Diego, where the navy has
la Coalng station. was regarded as IN,
place for the establishment Of another
/ large naval base, but no attempt to settl,
the matter was made.