Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-26
ORIGINAL SPECIAL REPORT
OF NAVY GENERAL BOARD
First Years Building Program as
Suggested Policy Revealed
for First Time.
NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS
ContenplateS Expenditure of $780,
100000 First Year, rs Compared
With 5000, 900. 900 III Five Years
Under Administration Plan.

the administration determined last July
to take up the question of national pre-
parcdness. Critics of the administers
ton tivc-year building program for he
, navy have declared this report was sup
pressed in part by the Navy Depart
ment, and if published would disclose
the inadequacy of the governments
plans.
The boards statement of policy. hold
inG that the American navy should
equal the strongest afioat by 1925 was
published some time ago. but the first
years building program. advocated ui,-
der that suggested policy. is now re-
Ncalcd for the first time. 1t shows rec
concentrations for four Drcadnoughts
and four battle cruisers. with an equally
large program for other craft. and con-
templates an expenditure roughly esti-
mated at 100000. 900 the first year. us
compared with $500. 900 to be spent
for new ships in five years under the
administration plan.
The board does not say that the Brit
ish fleet could be cQualed by 1925 by
continuing this hrst-year program. but
indicates that heavier expenditures
would follow if shipbuilding facilities
were increased in accordance with It's
recommendations.
In giving out the report Secretary
Daniels said that all statements from
tho general board rs to building pro-
grams made during the present year
had now been made public He called
attention again to tn fact that he had
set a precedent for publishing the an
nual reports, rs they had been regarded
as confidential by previous Secretaries
nf hn
sion, and tho publication Of which some
members OF Congress have stated they
would demand, he said. was Il special
report, the substance of which already
had been disclosed. The report says:
Il. The navy of the United States
should ultimately be equal to the most
powerful maintained by any other ma
ton OF the world. 1t should be grad
ually increased 10 this point by such a
rate of development. year by year. as
may he permitted by the facilities of
the country, but the limit above de-
lined should he attained not later than
1925.
80. In pursuance OF this policy, and
having in mind the present facilities of
this country, the board is Of the opln-
ion there should be certain additional
power to the navy this year. and recon-
mcnds the same for your consideration.
This addition is believed by your board
10 be within and practically the limit
OF the facilities now existing.
-Four battle cruisers, four Dread
noughts, six scouts. thirty coast sub
marines. seven fleet submarines. TWEEN
ty-ciGht destroycrs, six gunboats
"AuNilarics--Onc destroyer tender.
TWO ilect submarine tenders. four fuel
oil 81, l,,,,
port, one hospital ship, one repair ship, |
one ammunition ship.
Aircraft scrvicc-Lump appropria-
ton. S5.coO.oOo.
"personnel-li,O 900 men This number
viii provide for the needs OF the pres
cnt ships of the navy. including those |
nearing completion. but II must be
horne in mind that the personnel. com
misstoncd. warrant and enlisted will
have TO be further Increased as the i
new construction progresses.
Increased facilities for the navy
yards ANA shore establishments gen
orally. such as dry docks, hcrthing
places. building slips, structural shops. !
cranes for handling heavy weights, |
shop machinery ammunition and other
storage facilities, civil personnel etc.
tSigned) GEORGE DEWEY"
Sccrctnrv pani.lss recommendation
to Congress that the enlisted personnel
Of the navy be increased by $500 blue !
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