The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-07
SS4,299,050 ASKED
TO PROTECT COAST
Bill in Congress Urges Big
Guns, Ammunition and
Hammond Device.
FORT At ROCKAWAY

WASHINGTON. April s.-The iarges,
fortiacations bill ever presented to Con.
rrcss. carrying an aggregate Of appro.
pria,ions and authorizations amounting
to s3i.29o.o50, was reported to ths
House to-day by Representative sherley
~ kentucky. In direct appropriations
the bill provides for the expenditure
OF SCI, 997 1850. an increase over the bill
for last year Of S1S.s3e.s3s. and author.
ICES contracts OF sl2 $780, 900.
a huge Increase In the quantity oil
reserve ammunition for sea coast batter.
ios. a large increase in the number OF
guns OF existing and greater caiibres
for the field artillery, the emplacement
Of IL and ~ inch guns at Rockaway
Beach for the protection Of New York
city and on the Pacific coast. with a
range Of 10000 yards: the emplace-
men, Of anti-aircraft guns In coast for
tiications-these and many other items
represent the committees ideas of Me
necessity for strengthening the national
defenccs.
In addition the committee proposes an
appropriation Of $4,000 to purchase
the rights OF John Hays Hammond. Jr..
In an invention for wireless control Of
dynamite torpedoeA 1t provides for the
construction Of a large calibre gun n
mortar TO be mounted on railroad trucks
in order that this system Of mobile de-
fence may be tested.
Upon its own initiative II has recon-
mended the appropriation of $1,000. 900
TO equip private plants with tools and
machinery required In the manufacture
of war material.
Foilows Policy Of 1918.
The committee In its proposals for
appropriations for the coming year a
adopted the policy laid down by the Wal
Department board of review. which in
1915 mapped out a plan for the ex-
I-nditure In continental United States
and the insular possessions OF more than
Se,ooo.O0o and Of $4,000 900 for the
Panama anal
While II may not be prop to state
IN detail the proposals made" says Mr..
slerley in the committee report. ut Is
proper 10 state that the ends sought by
tic additional armament are at certain
points To defend the lar bors and exist
Ing defences against long range nay
tonbardment. made necessary by the
increased range Of guns Of modern bat
tleships; to increase the volume of gun.
tire at certain places In order to make
I; adequate to meet the Increased volume
.: guntre that could be directed against
the Fertilization by a fleet OF modern
"hrships. and in a few Instances to
cover water areas not covered effcc-
lively by existing armament. and TO
DENY to an enemy the use Of certain
harborS not now protected"
For improving the defences OF New
York city the committee adopts the
recommendations OF the army board for
We purchase OF land at Rocka way
Beach and the building Of fortifcations.
Here Will he mounted two OF the IL inch
guns for which provision IL made In the
toll and some OF the IL inch guns to be
uo1nted on barbette carriages with
'Gh angle fire which will give them a
i.as" Of SO.o00 yards, making them a
formidable Weapon against a fleet seven.
teen miles away.
Need Much AM u milton.
Concerning the necessity for a larger
supply of reserve ammunition the com.
mittec ssys in its report:
\ review 81 the subject in the light
80 the European war caused the boa,r d
'ANf hbSl OUSc III dlIlOUnI OF
e1ch reserve ammunition thought to be
''qu'Site and 1t has submitted This year
an estimate of $4,000. 900, with a con-
tract authorization of 81. 500, 900 to be
Expended toward securing a new re-
serve
The committee has allowed i'm its en-
'''N the mi submitted. making
.h 7nrr"priation in effect OF IS, 500. 900
~ tilH purpose. AZ against previous an
] T. fnrs1 80 9nAn nan
hammond wireless torpedo device il
aiA-
me Officers OF tho War Department
order TO acquire such a weapon have
'' NOR" IMAM "A ear past been wit
n'Shg tests or the invention of John
hammond. Jr., for the radio control OF
"ynamic torpcdoes. The report Of these
.ll'crS and the board Of ordnance and
'or1h'a'ions has been in favor of acquir-
'ig tho Invention of Mr.. Hammond and
,'' Installation Of several units Of the sys-
''n. A. the result Of the testimony sub
united and after IA very full considera-
ION 81 tho subject the committee has
''' Warranted in recommending to
,olErtss an appropriation Of $3.50. 600
10Y 'he requirement OF the rights Of MIR.
'!drnluord, conditioned. however. upon "A
satisfactory demonstration of the value
~ MS system before a joint army and
= '''lu anu PROVISION Is made Tor "A
hi sufficient to conduct such test"
More and Larger Guns.
~ the necessity for more and larger
sd,s the committee says:
II has become SO plainly apparent in
INC lisht of tho European war that
greatly Increased supplies OF guns and
ammunition of existing calibres and
ulHcrs of very much greater calibres
man heretofore contemplated would he
necessary that the estimates submitted
were very much greater than any that
nave ever been previously submitted to
'"' gros-. The committee felt warranted
III allowing practically in their entirety
We sums requested. These appropria-
N'i7 aud contracts or obligations au-
o."
ia" committee adds.
lroNIsion Is carried at the end Of the
p| requiring and directing that the
"r "'i",> be used at their full economic
g" ''l'y and ii Limitation is placed upon
we p'.ce that may be paid for any ma |
,'ral purchased from private manufac- |
'IIels