The sun., 1916-11-23
rs NAVAL PREPAREDNESS AN Accom-
PLLSHED FACT?
The Need Of Speeding Up wsrship Construction.

The preparedness movement caused
the Congress Of 1915 to vote the larg-
est naval appropriation bill In the
history Of this country. Four dread
nought battleships. four battle cruis-
ers. four scout cruisers, twenty de-
stroyers. twenty-seven coast SUBJ
marines and three larger submarines
$500 tons) we're the fighting ships
authorized. Those of US who actually
appreciate the naval helplessness OF
this nation against several possible
future enemies must realize that the
setting aside Of this great sum Of
money to build these formidable add
tions to our fleet has not increased
our naval power in the slightest de-
gree. nor will 1t for several years to
come, unless a radical change In the
methods Of building warships Is made
by the Navy Department.
The latest information seems to
show that the four battleships will be
built by private shipyards. probably
all Of the d~estroyers and the majority
Of the submarines. The four battle
cruisers may be built at Government
navy yards.
All the big ships are to have electric
drive propulsion. This appears at
present to hold the fancy Of the navy
engineers. although 1t has been tried
In one warship only. and that a naval
collier. 1t IL said to be a grave ques-
ton as to whether the electric COM
panies "a furnish the material. for
eight big ships to the ship building
companies and the navy yards
promptly enUgh to permit them to
meet the time limits Of contracts.
1t must he thoroughly understood
that all of our ship building and en-
cline construction companies have in
haDd enormous war orders due in no
small degree to the destruction Of
merchant shipping by the German sub
marines. causing thereby q great
shortage Of vessels to carry the un-
across the ocean.
The ship building and engine con
struction companies have their build
Ing slips filled. and there are many
orders ahead. All Of these orders are
Ct prices wherein large profits will
result. The demand for ships and war
material Of all kinds Is SO great that
nearly all inspections have been
waived In order to hasten the times
OF delivery. The finished product
upon completion must conform to GER
tain well understood tests. That Is
all required. The method OF manu-
facture Is %perforce left in the hands
Of the contractors. They have a free
rein as to material used and as to
the details Of working out the results
desired. This method OF business nat
urally puts the contractors upon their
mettle and the reliable firms with a
reputation to maintain will make good
and the results Of their labors will be
as excellent as II the most minute in
spections had been made continuously
by agents Of the contractecs. Further
more. this method OF business allows
the contractors greater initiative in
design and manufacture. occasions no
expensive delays In awaiting decisions
from Contractees. and gives the con-
tractors an increased responsibility
and corresponding pride in the things
they are creating. This method 'of
business has been In force in this
country since the war In Europe
started.
Suddenly tho United States Gov
eminent goes into the market for a
large number OF warships To be built
the first of II size since this extern
sivc industrial activity began. for the
battleships given by last Congress are
To he built in the navy yards; they
have MOI been begun. or perhaps a
few pounds Of keel plates have been
laid as "A preelectional measure.
Contractors know only too well, to
their sorrow. the cumbersomeness of
Government methods. II II were not
for patriotism. none OF them. proba-
bly,. would have entered a bid. They