The Washington herald., 1915-12-13
DANIELS PLANS
| GREATEST navy
Naval Secretary Would Spend
Half Billion for Vessels
and Air,hips.
FNE-YEAR PROGRAM
Estimates Larger Than Those Recon-
mended by General BoardISays
Efficiency Should Rule.

Details Of the most ambitious Naval
building program ever indorsed by Z
President Of the United States were dis
closed last night. when Secretary Daniels
made public his annual report. calling
for the expenditure in the next five years
Of more than half billion dollars for
new warships. aerial craft and reserve
ammunition.
Admitting that the program was draft
ed on the basis Of what the other powers
Of the world are known to have built
and are building and from Information
In hand as to the part which each type
of vessel has played in the naval engage
ments of the European war. the report
states that the purpose of the Navy De-
partment Is to have the American navy
In 1921 consist of the following ships,
built or building: Twenty-seven battle.
ships of the first line. six battle cruisers,
twenty-five battleships Of the second line.
ten armored cruisers. thirteen scout
cruisers, five first-class cruisers. three
second-class cruisers. ten third-class
cruisers, los destroyers, eighteen fleet
submarines. 15 coast submarines. six
monitors, twenty gunboats. four supply
ships. fifteen fuel ships, four transports.
special type vessels and two ammunition
ships.
Exceeds Boards Estimates.
OF this number there are to be built.
or started. in the next five years: Ten
battleships. or Dreadnoughts. Of the
first line, six battle cruisers. ten scout
cruisers. fifty destroyers. fifteen fleet
submarines. eighty-fve coast submarines,
four gunboats, one hospital ship, two am
munition ships. two fuel-oil ships and one
repair ship.
In the same period 1t is proposed to ex-
pend 100000 on ships already author
lied. 100000 on aviation and SIS. 900 on
reserve munitions. the total to be ex-
pended on the entire program each year
being as follows. 1917. ss5.372.1 1T; 1918.
sl1o 90 $50: 1913. ss6 7s7 500 1900 ss5 1s3 os7:
1921. Sl04. 7sS. 80. making q total of $5o2.-
4S2. ~
For the first time in the history Of mod
ern naval building programs In the Uni
ted States. the Secretary OF the Navy Is
found advocating a larger expenditure
than thst proposed by the General Board
|of the Navy, which recommended an ex-
penditure In the same five-year period Of
49,. sac. .o0o
According to Mr.. Daniels, the cost fig-
urcs In the program call for the construc-
tiu: Of a larger type Of Dreadnought than
any nation has ever attempted.
II Congress approves the recommenda-
tions as regards the battle cruiser. 1t will
be the FIRST time that the United Staes
has undertaken the construction OF this
type of vessel. although both Germany
and Great Britain have adopted this type
extensively.
Secretary Daniels says:i
''In comparison with the snormous ex-
penditures abroad. the large expenditure
is necessary II our feet is to be able to
enforce American policies The lesson Of
the European war warns US that II is
better to spend money in times Of peace
for preparation than to run the risk.
however remote, Of soreIy wanting ships
and munitions II suddenly needed:
He states that his decision to recon-
mend five-year program was based on
desire to avoid sudden fluctuations and
unexpected changes in policy.
The report states that during the pres
ent year more than 10000 applicants
applied for enlistment, Of whom 1900
were accepted. or one In six. The Sec
retary proposed radical changes In the
system Of promotion, advocating pro-
motion by merit, rather than by senior
ity. and he wants from 80 to 800 more
in the Naval Academy
After describing the organization of
the Naval Consulting Board of Civilian
Scientists. the Secretary urges an ap-
preparation of $5.000.o0o for the es-
OF a research and expert
mental laboratory located on tide
water OF sufficient depth to permit a
to dock
Discussing the vital need Of the
navy for large reserve supplies Of am
the Secretary scathingly de-
nounces concerns which have refused
to bid on recent contracts because Of
the grossly higher profits they can
make out Of supplying the allies
abroad, and urges not only the en-
largement of private factories in this
country. but the entry of the govern
ment into the making of powder pro-
jectiles and torpedoes on a large scale,
as well as armor plate.