Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-04-06

lSOnunued from First Page.I
cisco and other great cities from long
range naval bombardment. Provi-
sion is also made for mounting 12-inch
rifles now in reserve so they will have
range of more than 10000 yards or
10 sea miles. No ship could live
within that distance of the guns.
The plan will add 16-inch mortar
batteries to the present 12-inch en-
placements because of the increased
armor protection of modern battle
ships. In addition il provides for
l6-tnch mobile howitzers and 14-inch
guns on railroad cars to defend points
not protected by established forts.
In approving the bill the commit
tie accepted almost without alteration
the proposals of the War Department
and the officers who have studied the
subject of coast defense for years.
The bill carries appropriations of
S23,305,123 and additional authorize
tions to reach a total of $34,299,0 ,050.
1t is the first of the bills mapped out
by former Secretary Garrison to cover
four-year program of expenditure
totaling $50, ,064,55 on the continental
coast defense and reserve material.
The Panama Canal defenses will add
13,995,000 to the project reaching
grand total of S96,O59,557.
/ The committee cut down the 1917
estimates S1,S7S,073. AS the bill
stands, however, it represents an in
creased expenditure over last year of
SIC, 6,936,S33.
To Defend Ports
Outlining the projects approved, the
report says:
while it may not be proper to state
In detail the proposals made, it is
proper to state that the ends sought
! by the additional armament are az
certain points TO defend the harbors
and existing defenses against long
range naval bombardment, made
necessary by the increased range of
guns of modern battleships; to in
crease the volume of gunfire at GER
tain places in order to make it
! adequate to meet the increased
volume of guntire that could be di-
rected against the fortihcation by a
! fleet of modern warships; and in a
Few instances to cover water areas not
covered effectively by existing arma-
ment; and to deny to an enemy the
use of certain harbors not now pro-
tected.
The total additional armament for
continental United States included in
the above projects comprises twenty
two 16-inch guns, twenty-four L.
! inch guns mounted for long-range
fire, twenty-three 6-inch and four g.
inch guns, and forty-eight 16-inch
mortars; for the insular possessions
eight 12-inch guns mounted for long
range fire; and for the Panama Canal
| four 16-inch guns mounted for long
range fire, and twelve 16-inch NOR
| tars.
I'm addition to the above, the pro-
| jects of the board include one hun
dred and thirty-four 3-inch antiair-
craft guns for the seacoast defenses
of continental United States, seven
teen 3-inch antiaircraft guns for the
insular possessions, and eight 3-inch
antiaircraft guns for the Panama
Canal.
1.-THE board also recommends the
construction of six 16-inch movable
howitzers and an experimental 14-inch
gun on railroad car mount for defense
against hostile landings in unfortified
harbors."
The present armament to which the
above batteries will be added is de-
scribed as follows:
Gums now mounted or being
mounted (after eliminating batteries
declared obsolete by the War Depart
ment Board of Review: 16-inch. l.;
14-inch, "a; 12-inch, III; 10-inch,
131; S-inch, 40; 6-inch, 205; 5-inch,
So; 4.7-inch, 81; 4-inch, 4; 3-inch,
276; mortars, 4OS; total, 1,293.
THE mine defenses are elaborate
and practically completed for all
existing fortifications ana provision
will be made for mine defenses in con-
nection with new fortifications as soon
as the emplacement of guns makes
such action desirable
More Reserve Ammunition
As to reserve ammunition the re-
port says:
"A review of the subject in the light
of the European war caused the board
to very greatly increase the amount
of such reserve ammunition thought
to be requisite, and it has submitted
this year an estimate of three millions
of dollars, with a contract authorize
ton of three and one-half millions to
be expended toward securing a new
reserve. The committee has allowed
in its entirety the estimate submitted,
making an appropriation in effect of
six and one-half millions for this
purpose, as against previous annual
appropriations of 100000"
In addition to the new guns, the
bill provides for the expenditure of
S750,000 to purchase the rights of the
RADIO o-dynamic torpedo control de-
vised by John Hays Hammond. Jr
Acceptance is conditioned, however
on the report of joint board of army
and navy officers after a test for
which the bill provides
The report shows that four of the
new 16-inch guns will be empaced at
Cape Henry, Va, two at Rockaway
Beach, n. Y, others at San Francisco
and San Pedro, Cal, Long range 12-
inch guns will go to New York, Bos-
ton and either\ Portland, Maine, or
San Francisco.
The full estimates for the insular
possessions were allowed by the COM
mittee as were the War Departments
figures for additional mobile artillery
including field guns. In addition the
committee inserted an appropriation
for S1,000,000 to provide tools and
fixtures for commercial plants to equip
them for the manufacture of govern
ment ammunition. 1t is provided,
however, that the prices paid for am
munition or other material purchased
shall not be more than % per cent In
excess of the governments actual or
estimated cost of manufacture.
To Guard Against Invasion
Chairman Sherley presented the
following explanation of the purposes
of seacoast defenses in his report:
'It is the popular belief that our
Notifications are designed to protect
all the shores of continental United
States and the insular possessions
from invasion by a hostile force and
that they are adequate only to the eX-
tent that they would prevent such in
vasion. No greater misconception of
! their function could be had. The
author of this report is unaware of
any responsible military authority
ever suggesting such a purpose Ger
tainly the cost of such numerous
fortifcations to accomplish such a
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