The Columbus commercial., 1908-04-12
NAVAL ESTIMATE
CARRIES BIG SUM
The Appropriation Bill Has Been Reported
To House By Committee On Naval
Affairs.

ilt ldsdl dpPIOpi AuI1oh Jill,
authorizing the construction of
two, instead of four, battle ships
and eight, instead of four, sub
marine torpedo boats. and carry
ling a total appropriation of $103, :
967, ,518 for the naval service for
the fiscial year ending June 30,
1909, has been reported to the
house.
The total appropriation recom-
mended is $22, SIS, 831 less than
the aggregate estimate Submit
ed by the department, and $3,-
663, GIG more than the amount
appropriated for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1908.
The bill carries an item of one
million toward the construction
of submarine torpedo boats and
an item of $445, 900 toward the
construction of subsurface tor
pedo boats. Provision is made
| for the enlistment of 5000 men
to man the following ships,
which are to be put in commiss-
ion within the next two months
The California. Mississippi, Ida
no, New Hampshire, South Da-
kota, North Carolina, Montana,
Chester, Birmingham and Salem,
and for 1,500 men required to
man torpedo boats not now in
commission.
Representative Hobson, of
Alabama, submitted a minority
report recommending that proviS-
ion be made for four frst-class
battle ships instead of two.
Among the items on the bill
are the following; Naval train
ing stations for the great lakes,
81, 095, 600; construction and ma
chinery, SO, 1872, 962; armour and
armament, 1000, 900; equipment,
S400, 600; for sub-surface and
submarine boats, 81, AS, 900.
An increase of $5OO,O00 over
last years appropriation was al
lowed in the appropriation for
ordance and ordance stores,
mainly for target practice and
because there will be in full or
partial commission during the
fscial year twenty-four battle
ships, twelve first-class cruisers,
sixty-six second-rate and third
rate vessels, sixty torpedo YES
sells and fifteen auxiliaries, MAX
ing a total of 1T vessels.
There is an increase of $780, :
900 for smokeless powder. The
bill further provides an ap-
preparation of $415, 900 for replac-
ing the three-pounder and six
FOUNDER guns, by three inch so
calibre or larger guns, because
of the increase in the effective
range of the latest type of tor
pedo. These new guns are de-
signed to give the ship protection
against long range torpedo dis.
charge. Provision is made for
other changes intended to keep
the.batteries of the ships in the
highest state of efficiency. Nine
hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars is appropriated for torpedoes
and the converting of torpedo
boats. The appropriation for
arming and equiping the naval
militia is increased 500, 900 in
order that this branch of the ma
Wy may be more efficiently con-
Quoted.
The appropriation for the equip
ment of the vessels is increased
$500. 900 over the current fscial
year on account of the increased
number of ships in commission
and the necessity of fitting the n
with the new gun-firing appa.
ratus and wireless telegraphy.
i The approp.i-t.on for coal anG
transportation is increased $780,.
900.
/ For provisions for the navy an
appropriation is made for S6,-
597. 905. The bill states that ar
increase of 500, 900 in the appro-
priation is made for the provis
ion of the marine corps is due
to the increased cost of sixteer
per cent in the price ofrations. ;