Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-10-31
NAVY COSTS MORE
Secretary Metcalf's Estimates Like
ly TO Startls Congress BY
Their Size,
MORE BATTLEsHIPs ALSO
The Canal Must be MadS Wider and
More Blue Jackets Enlisted
All Of Which Takes
Cash.

Washington, Oct. 26.-Naval natter
occupied the attention of the cabinet
during considerable part of Fridays
meeting. Secretary Metcal has just
completed the compilation Of the es
Inmates for the maintenance of the
naval establishment and as these show
q great increase as compared with the
current fiscal year, thereby promis'
| ing to cause much debate in congress-
at the approaching session, the presi-
dent and the secretary Of the navy
are giving their most earnest atten-
ton to them. The secretary advanced
a proposition to increase by $4,000. 900
the standing appropriation for the pay
ment Of enlisted men in the navy.
According to his estimate this increase
would admit Of the recruitment Of
about 5000 bluejackets in addition to
the present force. The proposition
was received with favor and Will be
included In the estimates to be SUB
mitted to congress.
Another matter not entirely naval
In character deemed worthy of report
by Secretary Metcal- because Of Its In
fluence upon the character on naval
vessels to be constructed in the future
was the recommendation Of the 18th
milan Canal commission brought to
Washington few days ago by Civil
Engineer Rousseau, looking to the
widening of the locks Of the Panama
canal and this subject was discussed
at some length. Some naval officers
whose views we're reflected by Secre-
tary Metcalf held tnat a width of 100
feet in the locks would be quite suf-
flcient to meet all naval needs within
the next half century, but 1t appeared
that another element believes that the
locks would prove too narrow In the
course Of ten years. The president
decided to await a detailed report
from the canal commission upon this
important subject and so the subject
was laid aside for the present.
Secretary Metcalf also has before
him the report of the naval general
board headed by Admiral Dewey upon
the new construction required to meet
the plans Of the board and these
were touched upon incident to the con-
struction Of the width of the canal
flocks Not only the naval general
board But the naval board on con-
struction headed by Admiral Con-
verse, the chief naval constructor and
the secretary Of the navy himself must
impress their views in formal reports
upon this matter of new construction
before the president will have in hand
all of the material upon which to base
his own recommendation to congress.
1t is pointed out that by reason Of
the fact that he last year expressed
the. oninion that one new ship would
be all thai should necessarily be au-
thorized by this congress- the presi-
dent has somewhat embarrassed him.
self hut as several OF the battleships
whicN we're last year supposed to be
perfectly scrvlceable, have since rath-
err w avuectedlv been shown to be Of
obsolete tyne, It is not apprehended
that tAe president will have any DIFF
ncrltr IN recommending to congress.
for u 70 now quite certain that no
less ivan two and probably three bat
tlrshi"s Of the first order will be
recommended in the estimates.