South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-06-24
PROGRAM CALLS
FOR EIGHT SHIPS
Senate Naval Subcommittee is
in Favor of Four Big
Sea Vessels.

WASHINGTON June "a - A
building program including four
superdreadnaughts and four battle
cruisers FOR the coming year. was
agreed upon Friday 10y the senate
naval subcommittee after a con-
terence with Sec'y Daniels and Rear
Admirals Taylor and Blue. The sub
com mittee also decided 10 recon-
mend an increase of 20.7O0 I'm the
enlisted strength of the navy, bring
ing the total up 10 1900
The authorization for eight car
ital ships. which was approved as
part of a five-year construction pol
icy similar to that drafted by the
navy general card. is understood 10
be acceptable TO the administration
as meeting Pres't Wilson's request
for an enlargement OF the building
program now carried by the pend
ing naval bill. As il passed the
house. the measure provides for five
battle cruisers and no dreadnaughts
and contains no authorization for a
continuing policy
Can Recruit TO $1,000.
The personnel increase approved
by the house was only 1900. bring
ing the total enlisted strength to 65.-
GOO. In addition 10 providing for a
peace strength of 74.70O, the senate
subcommittee decided on the rec
ommendatiOn of Sec'y Daniels 10 in
sert in the bill a second under which
the president could recruit the navy
up to $1,000 in an emergency.
Other amendments agreed on in
clude appropriations of 5000, goo fQr
construction Of a floating crane at
the Mare island navy yard and ST.
OS5, 900 10 extend the dry dock in
the Charleston, :. c., navy yard for
accommodation or deep draught
vessels; a provision under which
officers of the line above the rank
of captain would be chosen on the
basis of selection instead Of senior
ity; and a stipulation that the total
number of commissioned officers ex-
elusive Of warrant officers shall be
four per cent of the total enlisted
strength of the active list authorized
by law.
Add Another ship.
Thursday the subcommittee
composed of Sens. Tillman. Swanson
and Lodge, had agreed tentatively
or three superdreadnaught for 1917
but added another on the advice
given Friday by Sec'y Daniels and
the navy chiefs of construction and
navigation. The part played by
Greadnaughts in the recent naval
battle off Jutland is said TO have
been cited by the department off,
Gals to support their position.
Provisions also Will be made i'm
the subcommittee report which will
be submitted 10 the full COMMITTEES
Wednesday, for an increase in the
marine corps to keep it on the basis
of 20 per cent of the enlisted
strength of the navy. This would
enlarge the corps from the present
5000 TO approximately Is, 900 and
in an emergency to 1900 men
The house appropriations of So
800, 900 for aerOnautics and $1,000
600 for construction Of building
ways in navy yards are retained as
in the house provision for bonuses
to builders for prompt construction.
The house appropriation Of $11,245.-
925 for ammunition is increased TO
S1S,S73,500
Construction OF two coast guard
cutters for Pacific coast and Alaskan
service at a cost not TO exceed $780,
600 was proposed in an amendment
TO the naval bill submitted Friday
by Sen. Phelan. An anchorage pa
troll boat for New York harbor to
cost SIPS, 600 is proposed also.