The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-20
budget COMMITTEE
DRAWN BY DANIELS.
into DEFENSE FIGHT.
Request for s2,757,o00 Puts
Problem Up to House Ap-
preparations Body.

Naval and Military Affairs continue
their consideration OF the naval and
army appropriation bills. another
House committee today has before IL
part of the national defense, pro-
gram.
Ely sending 90 the House yesterday
an urgent deficiency request for near
~ $3.009,a6o in emergency appropria-
lions. Secretary Daniels draws the
Appropriations Committee into the
defense problem.
Mr.. Daniels supplemental estimates
are for immediate repairs at navy
yards. the manufacture OF submarine
mines, the equipping OF battleships
with anti-afrcraft guns and the over
hauling of'yessols For these emer-
.ency expenses a total of $2,757,oOo
IL asked.
Daniels Changes His Mind.
Mr.. Daniels estimates were of
peculiar interest because of the rec
ommendation that anti-aircraft guns
be put aboard battleships. The fleet
has no ouch gums at present and for
some unexplained reason the Secre-
tary IL said to have cut out OF the
original estimates of the department
an appropriation for such guns.
Mr.. Daniels evidently has changed
his opinion about snti-aircraft guns
them.
The placing OF such guns on battle
ships Will lead, IL is thought. to sim
liar action at naval stations. Rear
Admiral Straus, chief of the Bureau
OF Ordnance. recently told the House
Naval Committee that there should
be anti-aircraft guns on ships And
at the naval stations.
Nays. Urgent Needs.
The urgent deficiency sppropria-
tions asked are: $50
Ordnance and ordnance stores. sss5. OOO
Maintenance, bureau Z Of yards
ana DOCKS ..,........,........... 62.OOO
Contingent, same bureau...,..... $500
Repairs and preservation at
navy yards. ....................... 1900
Construction and repair of YES
sels ''..'..................... $4,000
Engineering ................,....... OO.OC0
2,757, OW
Mr.. Daniels explains In his letter that
since the adoption OF the general stan
plan OF keeping the fleet In constant
repair. without laying vessels up for
several months to be overhauled at ir-
regular intervals. the expense OF re-
pairs has materially increased: Pres.
year. he said, had increased the neces-
sity for reoa1rs.
Renewals Are Necessary.
Many OF our destroyers." the letter
continued, have reached an age where
renewals of-extensive portions OF their
machinery equipment Is necessary,
and the same is true ot--submsrtnes
both OF which classes OF vessels maze
y big drain ION the repairs approprIa-
tions'' T
On the question OF ordnance stores,
including anti-aircraft guns. the letter
THE amount requested under the
Bureau Of Ordnance is largely for the
labor and material required to manu-
facture transporting boxes, cartridge
cases, end mines Part OF the SUM Will
the furnishing OF anti-aircraft guns TO
battleships In commission. The fleet ~
without guns OF this type at the present
time.
Largest Item for Mines.
THE Manufacture of cartridge cases
|. has been developed to a high degreo
eof efficiency and economy and It would
not he well 10 interrupt the output. as
this would disturb the organization. IL
would not only increase the ultimate
cost, but would delay this important
element OF preparedness
The largest item under the Bureau
of Ordnance is for mines. Mining has
attained in the ,cxiating war abroad
such Importance us to point strongly
TO the advlsability or increasing the
An organization has been perfected at
the Norfolk. nevy yard for producing
mines ut u very low cost, and II would
be well not to interrupt the output"