New-York tribune., 1907-01-25
TWO BIG BATTLESHIPS.
House Committee Authorises Other
Increases an NaUy.
[From The Tribune Bureau. !

Washington. Jan. 2-Another 2O.OOO-ton battle
ship. Identical with the authorized by Con
gress last year; two torpedo boat destrOyers and
100000 for the construction of submarine boats
is the naval increase recommended by the House
Committee on Naval Affairs for the approval of
Congress.
This is not all that the administration desires
but it is regarded a long step that direction
Attorney General BOnaparte in his last annual
report as Secretary of the Navy. recommended
two additional batteships OF the 20OO-tOn class
besides the authorized, two squadron oolliers
larger than the two already authorized four de-
stroyers river gunboat OF the Helena type. two
shallow draft river gunboats and four motor tor
pedo boats for ships. He also recommended that
one of the colliers already authorized should be
far modified permit Of it's am
munition vessel President Roosevelt and the Sec
retary OF the Navy also favor the building OF two
more 2OOO0-ton bsttleships. in addition to the
authorized last year.
The House Naval Committee agreed this morning
upon its recommendations for the increase of the
navy. The Naval Appropriation bill. which
res altogether about sos OOGO0O may be reported
Saturday. but more probably will not go in until
Monday
The increase agreed upon by the committee and
to be urged upon Congress is as follows:
One batteship, identical in every respect
with the authorized last year, of 10000 tons
first class IN every particular. mounting ten 1-inoh
guns. or four more than the British Dreadnought
This new battleship is carry heavy and as
powerful armament as any known vessel OF It's
kind and is TO have the highest practicable speed
and the greatest possible radius of action The
vessel is cost SSOJO.OOO exclusive OF and
armament, about 100000 altogether
Two toroedo boat destToyeTs eosting sS29SOO , each
The type and number of these submarines is left
by the committee 70 tho discretion Of the Navy
Department. Members Of the Naval Committee
calculate that this appropriation will provide about
eight submarines
An appropriation of s.. 600 is made for the
struCtIon of a floating drydock
ak arYlaG an ,riatf Of
70 complete the Naval Academy buildings at
Annapolis Some buildings ara laboratories
are TO be built AT the naval proving grounds at
Indian Head. at OF SS4 100 The bill contains
no provision for the proposed torpedo manufacture
ing plant. This stricken out by the sub-com-
uittee because the members could not agree upon
It's location. The original draft provided that u
should be at Newport
One proposition which has occupied considerable
attention involves provision for the enlargement OF
the government powder plant at Indian Head
Some members OF the committee think the plant
should be enlarged. They argue that IL II is
larged the Powder Trust Will have TO reduce its
selling prices 10 the Navy Department. 1t is con-
tended that this plant. which makes a great deal
OF snokelesS powder, originally established
with view TO affecting the price paid by the gov
eminent 10 private powder manufacturers. but that
the plant has not made enough powder seriously 20
affect the trust II is understood that the PROPOSE
ton will be brought TO the front when the bill Is
taken up in the House.