New-York tribune., 1911-01-29
NAVY BILL, S125,0OO,0OO
Provision for Building BattleShIp
at Navy Yard Cut Out.
AGAINST ElGHT-H0UR LAW
Committee Recommends Repeal
of Restriction-Limit OF Cost
for the Florida Raised.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 2S-The naval appro-
lriation bill was reported 20 inc mus,
to-day by Chairman Foss Of the Nava'
Affairs Committee. It carries NZo'4-i''o''
& 900 ZIG less than the current approprla
,ion and s2oA,62l less than the estitiidtes
submitted by the Navy Department
The increase OF the navy programme
calls for an appropriation Of S4'2o'Slo oi
which S,5.S2.s2S for the first year Is IN
serted in the bill. This increase contem-
n,ates two battleships, OF 270co tons. at $l'-
S.. .4oS each: two GOLFERS. at N.ooW each;
eight torpedo boat destroyers, at S-o'e'
each. and four submarines. at $oVo.W each'
The cost is estimated on the basis OF
building by private contract without re-
striction.
The bin increases the limit Of cost OF
the battleship Florida, now being built
st the New York Navy Yard, for hull and
machinery, exclusive Of armor and arma-
ment. from $4,000 20 100000.
Because Of the extra expense the bill re-
peals the provisions in last years naval
sct which authorized one battleship TO be
built i'm a navy yard.
The contract for the Florida's sister ship
was let well within the limit of cost, while
The estimates for building the Florida. for
all purposes the same ship in a navy yard
exceeded the limit Of cost for hull and ma
chinery by $1,50O,0OO, or a total Of $500,
ono
Both these ships are directed to be built
under the eight-hour law restrictions. The
committee recommends repeal Of this re-
quirement and also Of the provision that
not more than one Of the battleships pro-
,iGed for in last years naval act shall be
built by the same contractors.
The committee recommends that the col
ler authorized in the naval act of 1905, &c
be tuilt in Pacific Coast navy yard, he
constructed by private contract. with =
cost limit OF S1.o0o.00O against an esti-
mated cost AZ a navy yard Of $780, 600.
owing Ia a greater number Of officers
and a rise in their pay. due TO length OF
service. an increase Of s. 40, 49, in the pay Of
the navy is provided for.
An increase of &5o, COO for torpedoes and
appliances II made
The proposed discontinuance ~ the
bureau of Equipment under the reorgani-
zation Of the department, which las given
rieo 10 prolonged controversy. is dismissed
ny lIle tOillHllItct viii lilt ltNplllllit4lNo-
lion hat tho trial u' the present plan he
extended for another wear, in order TO test
1t thoroughly.
To facilitate better coordination I'm pub
lie works the committee has consolidated
under the Bureau Of Yards and Docks all
the public works Of tire entire naval estab-
'isbment i'm tho interest OF efficiency and
economy. Under this bead the bin makes
tho following appropriation for 1912:
Pearl Harbor naval station, designed to
bc the principal stau1n on the Pacific.
S2.262. GOO. together with $500 600 for one
hunG~cd-ton floating crane for use there;
o provision increasing by $500, 900 the limit
Of cost Of the floating crane at Boston, re-
pairs and preservation At navy yards and
stations. and appropriations for the vari-
Gus navy wards and stations. ranging from
StN>. 900 to $50 900
The departments recommendation for
100000 for coal denots At strategic
points is cit IN half