New-York tribune., 1909-01-06
PLAN TWO HUGE SHIPS
MAY HI1VE 14-INCH GUNS.
Nczcbewy to Tell Committee of NaUy
Reorganization Scheme.
From The Tribune Bursau.I

v-ashfnoton Ian 1.-The Secretary Of the Navy
will appear before the House Naval Committee to-
morrow or Thursday when he Will impart his
views concerning Navy Department reorganiza-
ton He will also be asked concerning the Increase
of the navy. with special reference to the design
Of two battieships which It is the present inten-
ton Of the COMMITTEES include in the bill this
year Secretary Newberry has fortified himself
with the arguments for and against battery of
ali 14-inch guns. The question IS Of naval
strategy between ship equipped with twelve
Pinch guns and one carrying an armament OF ten
14-nCh guns. The naval ordnance officers have
figured the weights and furnished Mr.. New
berry with the memorandum Of the internal
structural changes which necessary In increas-
ing the canbre Of the naval guns on battleshps
Some Of the naval ordnance officers are inclined
to think that the advantage would be entirely In
favor Of the Pinch gun largely because the IA
inch gun is proposition, and will have to be
especially made, with certain mechanical and
architectural changes, at the naval gun factories
in Washington.
The session Of the committee is bound 10 be in
terestng account Of the questions which will be
asked MI Newberry concerning the detail Of
Chief Constructor Capps 20 duty acting chief Of
the bureau of steam engineering. Some OF the
members of the committee inclined 10 believe
that the detail should have been made from the
officers OF the old engineer corps Mr.. Newberry' s
policy is indorsed by some members of the com
mittee. who disposed TO incorporate in the
naval bill it Is reported from the House com
mittee, provision which will enable the Secretary
Of the Navy to make further changes in depart
mental organization.
Plans have been outlined by the bureau Of con-
structon for great battleship Of 25.ooO tons de-
signed 10 carry eight 14inch guns This fact be
came known to-day through the making public Of
testimony given before the House COMMITTEES on
Naval Affairs several weeks by Chief Con
structor Capps. 40 Indication has been given yet
that such battleshp VIII he authorized. hut the
possibility that appropriation may be asked for
larger ship than the Dreadnought type is at
tracing attention among members or Congress
Representative Foss. Of Illinois. chairman Of the
Naval Affairs Committee, eudeavorcd to learn
whether any appropriation would be required this
year for the construction Of a larger ship than
has been built heretofore. should the construction
OF such ship be authorized by Congress He spe-
cited ship OF $500 tons, and Rear Admiral Capps
replied that his bureau had outlined plans for
such ship and would need appropriation this
year to begin the work Of construction. Admiral
Cspps added that If Pinch guns should he adopted
for such "A ship twelve OF them could be installed.
but this would require displacement OF 1900 tons
The largest vessels thus far authorized have only
ten Finch guns.
The speed OF the design ~ battIeship would
be from e01. 2oi2 knots under trial conditions
according Rear Admiral Capps There are four
ships in Of construction OF the % COO class
which the largest authorized for the
American navy.