The Washington herald., 1916-06-12
The Herald's Army and Navy Department
Latest and Most Complete News Service and Personnel Published
in Washington

Although prospects for a substantial In
crease in the naval building program now
before Congress seem b-ighJer every day,
naval construction experts are not at
tempting to conceal their anxiety over
certain construction problems which will
probably arise IN connection with the
building Of ships which may be author
lied.
1t is not expected that there will be
much difficulty in obtaining materials for
ship construction, but the present status
of the labor market is causing no little
concern. At the present time skilled
laborers which would otherwise he avail
able for ship construction. have been
largely drafted by the munitions factories
at wages which preclude the hope Of sue
cessful competition from the navy
Insofar as private shipbufding wards
are concerned. the labor question seems
to be the greatest obstacle to a speeding
up of battleship construction. Several Of
the yards have already announced their
plans for Increasing their production
facilities. notably the Fore River Com
pany, the New York Shiphui!ding Com
pany and the Newport News Shipbuild-
ing Company.
If the question Of skilled labor can be
solved in the near fUture-and a con-
clusion of hostilities abroad would quickly
solve the labor problem, officers believe
there seems to be reasonable prospect
of quick work on ships which may be
authorized al the present session. But
the European war has not ceased and the
demand for skilled labor continues to eX-
coed the supply.
The Aero Club of America Is actively
engaged in a campaign to impress upon
the Wilson Cabinet and upon Congress,
the idea that the sum Of 81 .O0O0 coo, which
was appropriated in the recent Army re-
organization bill for Army aeronautics is
not sufficient even to provide aerial
forces. which should operate on the bor-
der
In order to attract more attention to
this statement. the Aero Club has sent
a letter to every member of the Cabinet
and to members of Congress. 1t is
pointed out that the 100000 a0propria-
ton for the organization. equipment and
maintenance of the entire army aerial
force is not equal to the amount actually
needed for border work.
Army officials claim that years of eX-
perience have demonstrated that no less
than 2a5,60o is needed to organize. equip
and maintain an aerial squadron of y
planes for one year. In view Of the fact
that it has been found necessary to ap-
POA llOlI 1ll4tS pldllSS 70 edCN aviator. the
cost of an aerial squadron reaches the
figures of $4OO,OOO per year
No less than $5,000,0OO is needed for army
aeronautics, officers claim, if eight
squadrons. as named in the reorganiza-
ton bill, are to be organized and main
tanned. Of this amount. it is said. fully
100000 should be appropriated for the
purchase of dirigibles. observation ba-
looms and kites. including, of course,
their operation and maintenance.
The craftsmanship of the Coast
Artillery Corps is showing Improvement,
according to practice reports which have
been announced within the past few
days. officers explain the Improvement
as being due to the use of a single section
powder charge as well as to the increased
. authority given local commanders in ar
sansing target practice programs.