Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-12-10
ENORMOUS INCREASE
FOR ARMY and NAVY
Study Of Figures Sent Into Con-
gFess Reveal That Half Bill.
Ion Is Asked for.
BIG INCREASES ARE DEMANDED
War Department Wants s21s,ooo.ooo
Navy Asks Four New Battle.
ships and Many Other Things, and
the calls for Money Have Been
DUBBED "war Scare Appropriations,

WASHINGTON. d. C.. Dec. 9-Mem.
bers of Congress who came TO Wash.
ington looking forward to winter
of political speeches designed for
their effect upon the next Presiden-
tial campaign find themselves con.
fronted by serious matters. The
PRESIDENTS message is found to have
deeper significance than Mt first read.
ing when taken In connection with
the enormously increased estimates
for the army and navy. The idea is
presented by ADMINISTRATION officials
that In the preparation of these csti-
mates the government found itself
confronted With the possibility of con-
ilict with strongly entrcnched ma.
ton. 1t has accordingly called upon
Congress 10 authorize the expendl.
turc of sums adequate for the coun.
try's protection. The war scare" IS
expected to greatly increase appro.
priatlons for the navy and for coast
defense.
Hardly an Item In the Jurisdiction
Of the War and Navy Departments,
including ordnance supplies, seacoast
dcfenses, army poShts. naval stations
and ali kinds of modern equipment for
both, falls TO be sent TO Congress-
this session in figures much larger
than ever before in a time of peace.
They show in what particulars the
war experts Of the country regard
the country's defenses deficient. In
round numbers the amount of money
asked by the departments for fu-
ture wars and by the Pension Bureau
to pay old soldiers for past wars Ia
$500 900 600. an enormous sum for n
nation at peace with all the world.
The War Department wants s21S,
11i.52G.I4. of which Sill ,e2S. 924.96 Is
( for the construction of public works,
part OF which were authorized BY the
rivers and harbors appropriation uili
of the last session. Much of this es
Innate. however. is for Notifications
aud other defenses both within the
United States and in the insular 20
sessions.
Fortilications in insular possessions,
which last year received $930,O00 are
now estimated to require the expend,.
ture of s9,756,992 while the ordinance
department of the army requires more
than 100000 in connection with
these Notifications. where last yeal
was given Si75.500. Fire control In
insular possessions requires an ex.
penditure of Sl,S05.379. where las,
year an appropriation OF 100000 was
deemed sufficient By Congress. Bar
racks, quarters and seacoast defenses
In the Philippines arc estimated to
cost sl.62S,7G0 this year. where 81.
100000 Was appropriated last year,
and their are additional tens of 81.
for site FOR brigade post and mil
, itary camp on the Pacific coast and
Sl,2S0,204 for additional land ana
storchonses ut Manila. IN connection
with the administration Of military
affairs ut home there are large In.
creascs. Electrical installations NJ sea.
coast Notifications require new ap
preparation of 100000. and new
sites for these Qualifications are est
mated Mt $3,47S.50o.
Gun and mortar batteries estimated
for at Si.aS9. 600. were Appropriated for
last year In the sum OF but $1,000.
600. Other Items not appropriated
for last year are easements and gal
lcrics for submarine mines, S46i.964,
operation and maintenance of fire
control installations. Sli5,5lS; mill.
tary aeronautics 100000.
The estimates for the navy this
year are also large. An appropria.
ton of s1t0.iS3 .O77.S0 is wanted. as
compared with s94.47i ,57093 appro
priatcd last year. OF this amount
$la.3oS.2 72 Is asked for public works,
against an appropriation last year
for this purpose of $4.S74.292. Largo
expenditures are contemplated uponI
the Pacific coast The shlpbuilding
program calls for four battleships OF
10000 tons each. with an equal mum.
Der of scout cruisers and auxiliiaries.
arc YOU looking for a sound. seen,
cd (non-spcculative) investment? See