Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-15
Expects Fight in Congress
Over His National De-
tense Proposals.
s400, 900, 900 BUDGET
FOR NEXT YEAR PLAN
Secretaries Garrison and Daniels
Have Submitted Estimates, and Re-
ports Soon Will Be Made Public.

That President Wilson does not
expect his national defense pro-
gram to go through Congress
without a fight is shown by re-
cent utterances and by his inten-
ton to make a speech before the
Manhattan Club of New York,
within the next three weeks, on
the same subject. The President
will not take any chances of oppo-
sition in Congress defeating this
program and will submit his case
to the people of the country, sure
that public opinion will sustain
him and compel acceptance OF
that opinion.
Many letters and kilograms to the
White House recently assure the Presi-
dent that he has the support Of the
country for better national defense.
One of these arrived yesterday from
John Hays Hammond. in San Francis
co. Mr. Hammond told the President
that he found the sentiment of the
country overwhelmingly with him for
adequate national defense.
Five-Year Program Approved.
President Wilson today approved Sec
, retary Daniels recommendation for a
fve-year construction program for the
navy. to cost s500.o00,000.
The exact amount to be appropriated
for each of the five years has not been
decided, but the first years program
calls for two dreadnaughts and two
battle cruisers
The nve-year program would call for
sixteen capital ships-ten dreadnaughts
and six battle cruisers. In order to
get the best advantage of improve
ments in construction and not to over
, tax the capacity of American navy
yards. the first years construction will
include two dreadnaughts and two bat
tie cruisers and about twenty-five sub
marines. sixteen destroyers and per-
haps five scout cruisers.
Increase Of s14o, ,ooo, 900.
The total amount to be appropriated
for construction this year will be ap-
proximateiy sIo0. .ooo. 900. but since about
s2s.o0o.oo0 II this sum is for the three
battleships authorized last year, the
total increase in the nayal appropria-
tion bill is more likely to be about $72.-
00O. 600. This together with army in
crease of $72,oo0.06o will make the in
crease for national defense about $140.-
: 100000. or a total appropriation for the
two branches Of the service of about
34O2, 100000
Congress Division Expected.
It is not doubted that Congress will
be divided upon the proposed admins
tration policies. One element Is ex-
pected to oppose any increase at all:
another will shout for larger appro-
priations than asked by the adminis-
tration. and still another will want to
make comparatively small appropria-
tions. believing that some concession
Is better than none.
The President is satisfied that the
sums practically agreed upon as nee
essary to the navy and army are con-
SENTATIVE, and he will stand pat when
once they are submitted to Congress.
Rumore that Representative Hay Of
Virginia. chairman Of the House MILL
tary affairs committee. will oppose the
administration budget are said today to
be untrue Mr.. Hay is known to BE in
agreement with the desires of Secretary
Garrison and the President as whole,
but in details is not in full agreement
Will See President Again.
After his conference with President
Wilson yesterday afternoon. Chairman
Hay said the army program was not
complete and he would see the Ffesi-
dent again on the question about No
vember /. He did not say he disagreed
| with any of the points in the admin
istration plans. but said he would have
to agree with the army bill before he
| would back it in the House. He WAS
not ready to commit himself to any
definite program without further con-
sideration.
"Of course Congress is not bound TO
accept the estimates sent in" said Mr..
Hay. Until / have seen the Presidert
again ] will not be ready to discuss the
details"
Plans Calls for s4oo, 600, 900.
The national defense plans of the
administration. calling for an expen
diture in the next fiscal year Of more
than s4o0.00o.0o0 for army. navy and
fortihcatfons was completed today
secretary Garrison has forwarded his
estimates. already approved by Presi
dent Wilson. TO the Secretary of the
Treasury. and Secretary Daniels snb.
mitted his estimates this afternoon
after going over the final details with
President Wilson this morning
Secretary Daniels discussed With ~.
president the question OF how MANY
oattleships. battle cruisers ana srnaiiay
warships to recommend each wear dur
Ing the five years for which a program
has been mapped out.
The army estimates probably will be
made public Monday
Secretary Daniels admitted he wanted
TO increase the capacity of the various
government navy yards and do much az
the new warshp construction in those
yards Some contracts will continue
however. TO be given to private con
Germs.
Secretary Daniels said he exnectaI
there would be sufficient work 10 keey
busy both government and privat :,
Bhfpyards 1t is planned also to hav,
some aeroplanes for the navy built b,
the government
Confers With Edison.
The Secretary conferred in Orange
y. j.. last night with Thomas A. Edi
son. chairman of the naval consultinf
eommittee. regarding the committee,
Recommendation for large research
laboratory. The navy estimates will
include recommendation for an appro
briation for research work, but Secre
AS- ~ ~t-r. l.