Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-05
j. S. TO BUILD
FASTEST SHIPS
Naval Program Gales For
New Battle Cruisers of
New Type.
NUMBER NOT YET
DETERMINED UPON
Secretary Danisls and Aides Decide on
Program Which Will Place United
States in Front Rank-Presiden
Won Over Since Complications Arose
Out Of European Wa-Cruisers
With spsed Of Forty Knots Per Hour

washington, oct. o. secretary
Daniels made it plain today that the
naval program will include two super
dreadnaughts. each to cost $4,000, 600.
I'VE have learned nothing from the
European war;" the secretary says,
that shakes our faith in these heavy
armored ships as the main fighting
strength Of the navy"
He would not indicate whether more
than two battleships would be asked
for. The number Of ships of each
class to be recommended, he said, had
not been finally determined.
To Be Fastest Afoat.
Cruiser battleships of a new type
bigger and faster than any battleship
afloat, with great submarines for Of
fensive and defensive work, will be the
construction program.
This much was decided on tentative
ly at preliminary conference held
today by President Wilson with Sec
retary Daniels and Chairman Padgett
OF the house naval affairs committee.
The plan is to build cruisers with a
speed Of thirty-fiv knots an hour at
a cost Of $18,000,000 each for construc-
ton and equipment.
Plans for such type Of vessel as Is
contemplated already have been pre-
pared under the direction OF Rear Ad-
mira: David w. Taylor, chief con-
structor OF the navy, and now are be-
ing considered by the secretary and
members Of the general board.
Srnt ~ - -
has risen since the outbreak OF the
enormous demand upon American re-
sources. some recent steel contractors
Tor the navy showing an increase Of
30 per cent over previous prices
Dreadnoughts. which also will be
recommended for construction this
winter. will cost $1s,o00,00O each. it is
estimated. as against s15,0OO.OO0 for
those now building. Part of this in
crease. however. is due to new hull
construction to provide greater protec-
ton against torpedo attack.
Speed Of Forty Miles.
Plans for the battle cruisers, MIR.
Daniels said contemplated speed
faster than any but the swiftest de-
stroyers. In land terms, they will equal
the speed of railway trains making
more than forty miles an hour. In
size they will equal the largest Ameri-
can dreadnoughts now building and far
exceed any now afloat.
The armament has not been decided
upon. but it probably will be equal or
greater than that of present day
dreadnoughts. 1t is understood that
some officers believe each ship should
carry twelve fourtcen-inch, fifty cali
Der rifles. but it is possible that lesser
number of guns may be mounted, or
that the new sixteen-inch rifle, the
largest naval gun yet developed. may
be used.
All the items of the forthcoming
navy estimates were considered at to-
days conferences. Secretary Daniels
intimated that building program for
the submarine flotilla would be urged
that would make possible an inner line
Of defense along both coasts to be
maintained by submersibles operating
from bases established at necessary
intervals on both the Atlantic and Pa
cific shore lines. -
Chairman Edison and his associates
on the civilian advisory board are ex-
pected to develop improvements in the
machinery Of the submarine until they
are made so effective as to afford COM
plete protection for the United States
coast line.