The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-09
NAVY TO Be BIGGER
THAN DANIELS ASKS
House Committee Expected to
Exceed the Estimates of
the Secretary.
MORE SUBSIDIARY CRAFT

WASHINGTON. Jan. S.--Present indica-
tons are that the House Committee on
Naval Affairs. in view Of the widespread
public sentiment that has been aroused
on the subject OF naval defence, will pro-
pose additions 10 the fleet in the forth
coming naval budget far beyond those
contemplated In the estimates submitted
by the Secretary OF the Navy.
A canvass OF the House committee dis
closes the fact that al this time the
majority favors building programme
substantially rs follows:
Two battleshlps, eight de stroyers, seven
teen submarines, one supply ship, one
hospital ship, one tender each for sub
marines and dcstroyers, one repair ship,
one oller and one transport
In his estimates to Congress Secretary
| Daniels recommended two hattleshps
eight destroyers, eight or more subma-
mines. one cller and one gunboat.
The House committee. with the ex-
ception Of certain little navy" members
Ike Representative Witherspoon OF Mis-
sissppi and Hensley Of Missouri. appears
| TO be almost unanimously in favor OF
/ larger additions 10 the battleshp and
auxiliary fleets than are recommended by
Mr.. Daniels
II may he taken. for granted that the
naval bill will authorize the construction
minority is opposed to two battleships.
| According to the committee. the build
! Ing programme outlined by Secretary
/ Daniels Involves an expenditure of about
S47 ,000,0o0. The members incline 10 the
| opinion that Congress will consent to addi-
/ tons to the navy representing an ex-
penditure OF approximately $4,000, 900.
! Work on the naval bill was continued
Fin the House committee to-day Most OF
the time was given over to a discussion
! OF proposals 20 Improve conditions of
| warrant officers in the service. Under
| present laws chisf warrant officers may
automatically he advanced to the rank
! progress In the commissioned personnel
| except through examinations given by line
| officers
r. F., Donnerly, a, chief gunner in the
navy, has asked the House committee In
behalf OF his fellows to change the law
=, so al 10 permit the automatic promotion
Of warrant officers 10 the rank OF Second
( Lieutenant. The matter has heen under
discussion In the committee for two days
The committee will reach a conclusion al
j an earlNIInaeting next week
ssThe committee eNpeots4 70 finish th'
naval bin the latter part OF next week. A
report on the measure will be made to the
Honse about January 90. The bill will
come up for debate on or about Feb
tTuhIN T.
7 Representative Post. ohio, Democrat
Urrer1d a bill in the House providing fol-
tthe sale OF Panama bonds, the proceeds
to be used in the purchase OF battleships
and in strengthening the coast defence'
of the United states
A special meeting OF the Senate Com
nittee on Military Affairs will he held
Monday night TO take up the bills recon
mended ny Secretary Garrison to Increase
the strength of the army The committed
agreed to-day to take up and press thu
1 bills to passage at this session
4 This was the first response Congress
has made TO the conference held in tn
. home OF Secretary Garrison last Monda!
10 consider legislation for the natona
defence. The bills were not ordered re
ported to-day because some modification
are to he made in the general plans out
lined with the advice and consent OF tn
Secretary OF War, The bills " passed II
the form they were prepared will ado
about $4,000 men TO the strength OF tn
enlisted men, 1000 additional officers ant
about 5000 members OF the coast artillery
A bill for an army reserve is also included
in the list