Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-11
ONLY TWO BATTLESH!PS.

| Washington, Feb. 10-By a vote To-
| day Of IL to 5, one member being alb
sent and not voting, the House COM
| mittee on naval affairs rejected TIL
| Presidents urgent recommendation
that Congress at this session authorize
the building Of four battleships at a
total cost of sSS,OOO,o0o, but by a unan-
imous vote the committee voted that
there be in the navy appropriations
bill an authorization for the construc-
ton of two battleships, to cost $780,
Geo each and that they be of the Del
aware tyne.
These representatives voted in ac-
cordance with the Presidents recon-
mendations: Lilley, CT, RepD;
Thomas, Ohio, Rep); Meyer, La,
Oen.); Talbot, Md. Dem.); and
Hobson of Ala. Oem.).
Representative Hobson announced
after the committee meeting that he
intended to make a minority report
recommending authorization for four
battleships, but the authorization.
merely, is not enough he said. ut
should include an actual appropriation
So that the work of construction would
begin without moments unnecessary
delay. Even so, it would be three years
before these vessels could be made
ready to go into commission, and this
country has no time to lose"
The preference of the committee was
for four Dattleships, but the voting at
titude Of the majority was expressed
by Chairman Foss, when he said:
Experience has shown that it is
IL
mend in the beginning what you know
the House will stand for. A recon-
mendation for four battleships could
not I've put through at this session"
tn naval appropriation bill, as
amended and agreed upon by the COM
mittee carries a total appropriation of
$i01, $50, 600 for the navy establishment
for the next fiscal year. about s24,O0O,-
600 less than was asked for in the de-
partment estimates.
Under the head Of new authoriza-
ton for the fulfillment of what Con-
gresS is bound to appropriate money at
the next session if the bill. as so rec
commended passes the House and Sem
ate, the committee included two bat
tlcships. to cost $19000,000. 10 destroy
crs, SS,500,000; s submarine torpedo
boats, $3,0i0O0O; total. 30,54O,0cO, or
S3S, 100, 900 less than the total for new
authorizations asked for by the navy
department.
The new authorization estimates re-
jected by the committee comprised the
following:
Two battleships, S19 100000; scout
cruisers, 100000; ammunition ship,
81, 10000; l repair ship, s2,00000O; ?
mine laying ships (cruisers to be CON
verted), 100000 =
The committee, however raised
from tour to eight. the number of sub
marine torpedo boats asked for: held
over for further consideration and in
corporation in a special bill the mat
ter Of providing fleet golfers, arpr"-
priated 100000 for the purchase.
within the discretion of the secretary
of the navy of three SO-called sub sur
face torpedo boats, their acceptance by
the government to be contingent upon
the fulfiilment of department require
ments and included an appropriation
of 81, 900, 900 to enable the recruiting of
5000 additional enlisted men to man
newly completed battleships and au-
thorized the enlistment Of 5000 more to
become available after the first Of July
as recommended by the secretary of
the navy and urged by the President.