The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1910-05-31
NAVAL BUDGET
ANNUALLY GROWING

i
The annual appropriations for the
navy are increasing so rapidly that
even this country of great resources
must soon pause to consider the matter
carefully in all of its bearings. The
appropriations are not properly ap-
portioned. When field battery is pro-
vlded for il includes all of the neees-
sary equipment to go with the guns.
Ii railroad company orders a. num-
Der OF locomotives it means that each
one is not complete without tender,
and the tender is always provided. If
money should be appropriated for a
battleship one or more colliers should
be included as a part of the appropria-
Ition.
Congress has neglected this SO long
that in case of war with an European
power or even Japan, our battleships
would be useless for long cruise, for
we have So few colliers, and the laws
|of neutrality would prevent securing
amen SHIPS at any price. With the
modern battleships we now have in
commission and provide for not more
than one Dreadnaught a year should
be authorized, using the cost Of one
annually In providing high class of
ships, similar to the best class liners,
minus the expensive cabin equipments,
to be used as colliers and converted
cruisers in time of war. The cost of
one battleship would build four or FIVE
of these fine ships, or more, as they
would not require the expensive armor
or armament. Enough Of these ships
should be ordered at once to fully
equip the navy and provide for de-
ficiency that now places the navy in a
helpless condition. These ships, in time
of peace, should be chartered to Ameri-
cans at reasonable rentals for the pur-
pose of extending our commerce. This
would in a great measure solve the.
problem of ship subsidies, as well as
government control Of these ships.
The moment the government would
grant charter on such a ship the ex-
pense of maintenance would be shift
ed from the government to the charter
parties, who would also keep up the in
Isurance. To provide for direct lines to
South America, Australia, etc., where
no regular American lines exist, the
government could designate certain
ships to run on those lines and no 9TH
ers. Such line is now badly needed
on the Pacific to run as far suoth as
Chill, another to Australia, etc. The
government can build these ships
cheaper than individuals AZ cheap as
lin foreign ship yards, and yet build
them at home.
Already the Homburg American line
| is making extensive preparations for
| a line of large modern ships to be
placed in commission as soon as the
Panama canal is completed. These
ships are mainly to run from Mediter-
ranean ports and carry freight and i'm
migrants. The largest individual div
idends paid in Europe are by the lead
ing steamship lines. Therefore, the
government can easily count on hav-
ing the ships ready at moments no
tice in case Of war, while in times OF
peace the rentals of the ships will pay
interest on the cost as well as keeping
them in constant repair. BY this wise
and economical move merchant ma
rine could be rapidly built up that
would equal that of any country. At
the same time there would be no non
compensating drain upon the national
treasury. as for purely military ships.
Retired naval officers should be given
tn epreference as commanders of these
government owened ships. The crows
should be American-born or naturalized
American citizens where possible, pref
erence to be given honorably discharg-
ed American seamen, and good wages
should be paid. This could be largely
controlled by the government when
agreeing upon terms of charter.
Next to the great need of colliers for
the navy is the need of trained sea-
men to man the present ships in COM
mission and those now building. Other
nations have their reserves in the
marchant marine. We have no mer-
chant marine now, but with so or 90
such ships as mentioned, manned as de-
scribed, we would have a most valu-
able trained reserve, ready for action
the natural school Of the sailor, es-
pecially when the merchant ships are
commanded by experienced retired
discipline similar to that of the navy.
With this plan in operation there
would be less demand for ship supsi-
|dy. a clear loss financially to the gov
ernment. If our ship masters VIII NOT
establish and maintain lines under our
flag without subsidy then by all
means let the government build the
class of ships mast desirable TOT gov
ernment use in time of war and charter
them to responsible Americans in time
of peaee. There will be a demand for
the ships as fast as built. However,
that NAV be promptly demonstrated II
the government will advertise for
bids for charter on any number OF
ships Contracts would be signed, as
+hay should hafnre the ShiDS are launch
ed, the line could be determined upon
and arrangements for business made
beforehand ready to commence opera
tions as soon as the ships could be plac-
ed in commission.