The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-04-22
NEW U. s. NAVAL BILL AUTHORIZES SPENDING
 S23O,OOO,OOO ON SHIPS
Provides for Two Battle Cruisers, Two Dread noughts and 50 Efficient Submarines and May Be Changed to Read "Four Battle Cruisers. ''

Washington April 22-The Naval Appropriation Bill will be reported from the House Committee on Naval Affairs next week It will provide for an expenditure of about 0,0OO, 900 for the fiscal year of 1917, carrying a larger increase for ammunition, sub marines, aviation and other auxiHar- ies to the navy. It looks now as if the increases will exceed Secretary Daniels recommendation f
 As framed the bill provides for four capital ships, two battle cruisers two dreadhoughts and 50 submarines that can actually accompany the fleet and dive.
 An effort is being made to provide for four battle cruisers and two dreadnoughts. the cruisers to cost $21,- o00,O00 each, the dreadnoughts from SIS, 8,O0O,0 900 to, $19,0O0,0O each It is believed that the bill will carry ap- appropriations for them. The little navy men have been whipped out on this proposition. They think the bill should not carry any increase over last year.
 Chairman KitcEhin of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman Simmons of the Senate Fiji nance Committee practically agreed on a plan to raise revenues to pay for preparedness. They will tax income es,
 
 raise the extra $175s 900 that will be needed next year and they will retain a portion of the present ener- gency tax law to collect between $40,- GOO, ,0OO and $5O.000.O00.
 The Income Tax Law will be sore vised as to make it yield about $75,- OOO,00o more than it would do in it's present form, an inheritance tax will be levied for about $55. 5.O00,0 more, and munitions will yield $45,oOo,0OO.
 Representative Kitchin is holding daily conferences with Democratic members of his committee and most of them are in accord with him as to the subjects to be taxed. / He will be ready on short notice to submit his bill and put it through the House. After the House passes the revenue l measure the Senate will act quickly. Senator Simmons thinks he will have the support of his committee on tax ing incomes, inheritances and Tn1ni- tions. He gave out a statefne ent about two months ago that he would lay the burden on the wealthy by such tax alton.
 Orders to speed up. repair and over haul work on vessels of the Atlantic Feet have been sent to the connnan- dants of the various navy yards by Secretary Daniels. In case of labor shortage the commandants are in-
  p1oyfng the ships personnel. This move was explained as .'pre- paredness test,'' the execution o1 which will show how quickly the yes sels can be restored to normal condi- 1 ton after their strenuous winter oper- atfons and be placed in readiness for l the battle practice and manoeuvres beginning May 20.
 Assistant. Secretary Roosevelt has been in conference with the New. York 1 yard officials attempting to arrange for a sufficient force of mechanics and 1 other skilled men to operate that plant on a night and day schedule. l Secretary Daniels says the officials were having great difficulty in getting l Ia,borers at government wages, anc are embarrassed also by delay in the l delivering of materials ordered fol repair work and for the construction I of vessels now building. Offers of bet iter pay and extra work at double l time, he said. are attracting workmer to private employ and creating 2 scarcity of labor in they ards.