Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-09
TO BUILD
WARSHIPS
COAST DEFENSES ARE TO BE
STRENGTHENED
BIG APPROPRIATION MADE FOR
TARGET PRACTICE
Representative Hobson Submits Nil
nority Report Urging construc-
tion of Additional War
Vessels
BY Associated Press.


WASHINGTON, April S--The naval
appropriation bill authorizing the con-
struction of two instead of four battle
ships, and eight instead of four sub
marine boats, and carrying total APP
preparation of $103,9 ,51S for the naval
service for the fiscal year ending June
80. 1909, was reported to the house by
Chairman Foss of the committee ON
naval affairs.
1t is believed the bill will be passed
soon
Provision is made for the enlistment
of 5000 men to man the following ships,
which are to be put in commission with
in the next few months
The California, Mississippi Idaho,
New Hampshire, South Dakota, North
Carolina, Montana, Chester Birming-
ham and Salem, and for 1900 men re-
quired to man torpedo boats not now in
commission.
| Representative Hobson of Alabama
submitted minority report recon-
mending that provision be made In the
bill for four first class battleships in
stead of two.
Among the items in the bill are the
following:
$1,095.600 construction and machinery,
$9,S32,962; armor and armament, $1,000
600; equipment, 100000; sub-surface and
submarine boats, 81 ,445, 900.
Increase for Stores
An increase of $500, 900 over last years
appropriation was allowed in the APP
preparation for ordnance stores, mainly
for target practice, and because there
will be in full commission during the
fiscal year twentyfour battleships,
twelve first class cruisers, sixty-six sec
ond rate and third rate vessels; sixty
torpedo vessels and fifteen auxiliaries,
making total of III vessels.
There is an increase of $150,000 for
smokeless powder. The bill further prs=4
vides appropriation of $415.000 for re-
! placing the thiee-pounder and six
FOUNDER guns by three-inch 50-caIiber
or larger guns, because of the increase
in the effective range of the latest type
of torpedo. These new guns are de-
signed to give the ships protection
against long range torpedo discharge.
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
equipping the naval militia is Increased
to 100000 in order that this branch Of
the naval reserve of the United States
may be more effectively conducted.
The appropriation for equipment of
vessels increased $500,000 over the cur
rent fiscal year on account of the in
creased number of ships in commission
and the necessity of fitting them with
the new gun firing apparatus and
wireless telegraphy.
For Coal and Transportation
The appropriation for coal and trans
portation is increased $S50,000 For pro-
visions for the navy an appropriation =
is made Of $6,547, 1903. The report ac-
y{V.ee he hi TOT hat o1
lowed increase of $780, 900 in the appro-
priation for provisions for the marine
corps sis due to the increased cost of
16 per cent in the price of rations."
The report shows there are in course
of building seven battleships. four ar
mored cruisers, three scout cruisers,
five torpedo boat destroyers, four sub
marine torpedo boats, two colliers and
two sea going tugs.
The amount necessary to be appropri-
ated to pay for the work now
progressing and contracted for during
the next fiscal year is $17.232, 1862. I'm
der the heading NAVAL Program the
committee recommends that the presi-
dent be authorized to have constructed
two first-class battleships to COST ex-
elusive of armor and armament not ex-
ceeding $6,000,000 each, ten torpedo
boat destroyers, to have the highest
practicable speed, and to cost, exclusive
of armament, not to exceed $800,000
each; that the secretary of the navy be
authorized to have constructed eight
submarine torpedo boats to cost in the
aggregate not more than $500, 900, of
which amount $1,000000 is APPROPRIATED;
one Sub-Surface torpedo boat at a cost
not to exceed 100000 and two small
Vessels of like type not to exceed in
cost $22,500 each--a total authorization
of $23, 3,945, 900, which will be increased
or nnn I. .a atxa-~ nd
equipping the two battleships.
The report shows that the naval con-
struction program of the several for
eign powers contemplate the expendi
ture of the following amounts for ves-
sells as indicated during the coming fis-
cal year.
England--Three battleships of the
cruiser, five ocean-going destroyers,
twelve first-class torpedo boats, twelve
submarines. $39, 41S.650.
France-Five destroyers, ten sub
marines, $1S696. 346.
Germany--Two battleShips, one arm
ored cruiser, two scout cruisers, twelve
destroyers and several submarines.
$50, ,575, $50.
Japan, $17. .9e5. 79S for construction and
repair, including the restoration of
Russian warships taken as prizes.
Russia $15,0OO,OO0 for construction and
repairs
Brazil-Three battleships, two scout
cruisers, eighteen torpedo boats and
destroyers.
The relative positions of the several
powers in naval strength is shown TO
be as follows:
Ships built-Great Britain, United
States, France. Germany. Japan, Rus
sia Italy, Austria.
Ships built and building Great
Britain. France. United States, Ger
many, Japan, Russia, Italy. Austria.