South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-08

Hopes TO See Limit set.
Il earnestly hope the time is not
FAR distant when this act of con-
gress viii result in such an agree
ment," he continues. land that the
nations OF earth will have the
craftsmanship 20 devise effective
means Of preserving the worlds
peace without constantly building
ever-increasing dreadnsughts at
ever-increasing cost Until that
hour arrives the United states can
not safely adopt any policy other
than that Of continuing the policy
Of steadily increasing its naval
strength"
Picturing the result OF construc-
ton now contemplated Sec'y
Daniels says the main sghting ele-
ments Of the fleet. completed and
I'm commission in 1921. will be p
dreadnaughts Of the first line. sup
ported by six battle cruisers. 25 sec
cnd line battleships. - scout cruis-
ers, los destrOyers, L fleet subma-
rines and 100 coast defense subrner-
sibles. While there is no possibility
naval powers the country will then
take, he adds the authorization of
such a program has been accepted
as assurance that the United States
has definitely embarked on the pol
icy of building an adequate navy
The secretary devotes much atten-
ton TO discussion of the problems
encountered by the department in
getting the new ships laid down.
Building facilities and skilled labor
are lacking. he says. and the pro-
gram he has recommended for 1913.
featured by three battleships and
one battle cruiser, will tax private
and public plants to their utmos,
even with the increased building
equipment authorized for navy
yards II was for that reason. the
secretary adds. that ne did not fol-
low the general boards recommen-
dation ami urge that the four Of the
six remaining battleships of the
three year program and both Of the
battle cruisers be laid down at once.
The board states in its report
accompanying that of the secretary,
that its information as 10 building
facilities indicates the 1918 program
outlined could be built. 1t also rec
ommends the addition of u mine
sweepers. one supply ship and two
seagoing tugs to the total of the
156-ship three-year program.
Many Difficulties Met.
Sec'y Daniels indicates clear
~ the difficulties faced by the de-
partment. however. in the following
language:
THE last naval bill does not give
10 the department any additional or
extraordinary powers in connection
with placing the contracts for these
vessels or in obtaining materials for
their construction. 1t is hoped that
the necessity will not arise Of hav-
ing TO ask for such powers. as
number Of ship builders and manu-
facturers have shown an attitude of
Willingness TO assist the department
in meeting the unusual situation
created by the desire of the country
TO commence and to expedite an en-
tirely unprecedented naval program
at a time when the industrial re-
sources of the country are already
taxed 10 their utmost capacity in
meeting the demands of tremendous
trade activity, both domestic and
foreign, in every branch of business.
II may be necessary. however, for
congress to enact legislation of this
character 10 insure the early COM
pletion Of the program of construc-
ton"
The report touches briefly on
many activities of the navy depart
ment and cOmmends highly the new
organization and coordination that
is being effected by Adm. Ben
son, chief of operations. In addition
10 the report OF the general board,
full statement by Adm. Ben
is appended, showing the rapid prog
ress being made in every line of de-
velopment The most disappointing
feature OF the year, according to
the general board and Adm. Ben
son, has been the slow progress with
development of naval aircraft
Undoubtedly much preliminary
" "a m A4tAo HNNtA ANAAN "a HNA AAlltAlk0lAA
which does not show" the board
says but the application of this
very important branch of the service
TO the practical uses of the fleet
has not yet been fully developed.
Satisfactory aircraft do not appear
as yet 10 be available for use with
the fleet"
The board recommends a new or
ganization of the flying service un-
der a directing officer in the office
of the chief Of operations. While
admitting the slowness Of aeronauti-
cal development. Adm. Benson
expresses the hope that a big ma
chine designed and built by the
navy and now under test may solve
the problem encountered
The report shows that the navy
now has Il aeroplanes in active SER
vice and that 60 more have been
ordered. Tn addition sevesal French
and British made machines have
been ordered.
Battleship Backbone OF Power.
Ia is brief review of the Euro