Arizona republican., 1908-04-09
COUNTRIES SNAVAL PROGRAM
 OUTLINED BY COMMITTEE
The Bill Will Garry Appropriations Amount
 ing to SI03,967,5IS
The Accompanying Report Shows the Sea Strength of the United States In Comparison With That of Other Great overs.

Washington, April S.-The naval ap- propriation bill authorizing the con- struction of two instead of four battle ships; eight instead of four submarine torpedo boats and carrying a total ap- propriation of s1O3. 1867 ,51S for the naval service for the fiscal year ending June 9, 1909, was reported to the house by Chairman Foss of the committee on naval affairs.
 Provision is made for the enlistment of 5000 men to man the following ships. which are to be put in commits sion within the next few months: The California, Mississippi. Idaho. New Hampshire, South Dakota. North Car olina, Montana, Chester, t5lrmingham and Salem and for 1900 men required to man the torpedo boats not now in commission.
 Representative Hobson of Alabama submitted a minority report recom- mending that provision be made in the bill for four first class battleships in stead of two. Among the items Tn the bill are the following: The appropria- tion for the equipment of vessels is increased s500, 900 over the current ifs cal year on account of the increased number of ships in commission and the necessity of fitting them with new gun firing apparatus and wireless telegraphy; the appropriation for coal transportation is increased $S50. 900: for provisions for the navy appropria- tion is made for s6.547.9O5. The report accompanying the bill states the al- lowed increase of S10O. LOCO in the ap- propriation for provisions for the ma rine corps lis due to the increased cost of 16 per cent in the price of ra- tiOns." The report shows that there are in course of building seven battle ships, four armored cruisers, three scout cruisers, five torpedo boat de- stroyers. four submarine torpedo boats. two colliers and two seagoing tugs.
 The amount necessary to be appro- priated to pay for the work now pro Sressing and contracted for during the next fiscal year is $17. 7.2S2. .s62. Under the heading Naval Program" the committee recommends that the pres ident be authorized to have constructed two first class battleships to cost, ex- elusive of armor and armament not exceeding s6,000.000 each: ten torpedo boat destroyers to have the highest practicable speed, to cost exclusive of armament not to exceed $500. 900 each: the secretary of the navy to be author ized to have constructed eight sub marine torpedo boats. to cost in the aggregate not more than s3.500. GOO of which amount S1.00O,0OO is appro- priated. one sub surface torpedo boat to cost not to exceed s4O0 0O0 two small vessels of like type not to ex- ceed a cost of s22.5OO each-a total authorization of s23945, ,nO0: which will be increased s7.OOO.O0O by the cost of arIning and equipping the two battle ships.
 The report shows the naval con- struction program of several powers which contemplate an expenditure of the following amounts for the vessels indicated during the coming fiscal year:
 England-Three battleships of the Dreadnaught type. one fast unarmored cruiser, five ocean going destroyers.