El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-01-04

M Britain, the United States has
what is perhaps the most pow
erful navy in the world. 1t costs ap-
proximately $3.50, 100000 a year for the
maintenance and expansion Of our fight
ing force on the seas. Of which ap-
prOXimately 500 900, 600 goes toward its
upkeep. The authorized enlisted force
of the navy embraces 1880 men Of
the seamen branch and 1921 marines
If congress follows the recommends
tiOns of the naval authorities, in 10
years the United States will have about
40 first class battleships, 40 scout cruis-
erS. and 40 torpedo boat deStrOyers-
The cost Of building such a number OF
scout cruisers and torpedo boat de-
StrOyers would be more than 100000
600. With 40 battleships on the list
only p would be kept in active com
mission, as at present, the remaining
ones being kept in reserve. Likewise
only four or five Of the SCOTT cruisers
would be kept in active commission
continuously, and no more deStroyers
would be kept in full commission than
at present.
Although the active battle fleet has
been increased from 16 to q ships, and
the torpedo fleet has been added to in
an even greater proportion, the cost
of maintaining the entire navy has de-
creased, and should congress authorize
all Of the new construction desired by
the navy department in the way of bat
y
ships, etc, the aggregate expense would
not be MATERIAL increased, since it is
expected that the economy resulting
from improved administration methods
viii offset the cost Of maintenance Of
an increased number of ships in re-
serve.
Leads World in Construction.
Although the United States now leads
the world in naval construction with
its projected 10000 ton battleships, only
Is years ago this nation did not have
a single armOred sea going Warship.
Although the size of battleships has
risen from 5000 tons displacement to
$4,000 tons in 10 years, the cost has
not risen in proportion It cost but
little more to build the 26, ton Ar
Kansas than 1t cost to construct the
10000 ton Delaware. The Vermont,
whose keel was laid in 1904 and which
has displacement Of 5000 tons. cost
a quarter Of a million dollars more than
the Utah Of $4,000 tons displacement
Battleshlps have grown greater not
only in size and in the strength of
Jnelr armament, but also in their eff
cheney The Delaware, OF 10000 tons
displacement, burns less coal than the
ment.
one Of the most interesting factories
In the world is the naval gun factory
at w Washington, which is the largest
n-making establishment on earth
mere 90 ton guns are picked up and
SAeIL lOn as a boy makes in lifting an
air rifle to his shoulder and the Iarg-
est guns built are the 14-inch monsters
'Wnlcn viii be placed on the new battle
Shlps' w lth a S65-pOund shot of smoke
less powder they hurl 1400-DOund she'll
through the air with an initial speed
OF nearly half a mile a second. So
SIedI Is me force with which this shell
IS propelled that it has a possible range
or zo,OOO yards. One of these shells
would pierce at least five feet of
wrought iron. The charge of powder
py winch 1t is hurled on its death
1 1,'5;lIs mission generates a force
when would lift the great Masonic
temple Of Chicago two feet in the air
IN a single second. At seven miles one
OF Jhese shells would pierce the heav-
test atInoI. At every brOadside of the
~ l4-lnch guns of two of the latest
battleships, more than u tons of metal
WOuIu De hurled against the opposing
tieeC rms Is much more than the en-
Iire gun power of Dewey's whole fleet
a. Ia,i Ilani IA rms metal viii be pro-
peISu Dy more than three tons Of
smokeless powder and the aggregate
cost or each brOadside will represent
much more than the annual salary of
the duInlIal OF the navy.
Long Range Battles.
1t IS believed that the naval battles
OF the future will be fought at long
range. and that the issue viii be deter
ntueu ldISeiy by the effectiveness Of
guns at distance of seven miles or
more; IN this Particular the American
naval gunner has the advantage OF
those OF any other country. In the
oattle or santiago, admiral Evans es-
Inmates only percent of the shots
were effectlve. In recent naval prac.
tice the American gunner has regis
tered hits in from so to 80 percent of
the shots fred, and admiral Evans
thinks that 40 percent of the hits would
be registered in actual war. The guns
of the Connecticut shoot five times as
fast as did those Of the oregon at San