The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-05-25
Recommendation Not to Be Construed as Deciding Dues tiOn of Dreadnought Supre- macy-S2,O ,OO, 1000 for Aviation. 16,579 Recruits Allowed.

Washington, May 25-The naval appropriation bill. carrying $241,- 449,151.9e, was reported to the House yesterday. This is an increase of S91, ,787 ,287 over last years measure. This additional sum, the report states, is necessary in order to place the navy, the first line of defense of the country, in a better state of pre- paredness.
 After an exhaustive investigation as to the types. of ships necessary better to balance our fleet and increase it's fighting efficiency, the bill carries the following building program for this year:
 Five battle cruisers, at $20,433,5 ,531 each; four scout cruisers, $5,571,9 300 each; 10 destroyers, $1,325, 314 each; three submarines of about 800 tons, $1,206,3O2 each; IT smaller subna- rines, $T31, 3O2 each; one fuel ship, $1,363,272; one ammunition ship, $2,- 7O4,65O, and one hospital ship, $2,- 250.00O.
 The total cost of this program will amount to $16o,O87,357, and the ap- propriation this year will be $59,- 244,3 The ammunition for these ships is provided for in the bill, amounting to $11,245, 1925, making in all $7O, ,49O,251. <
 In addition to this sum-, there will have to be appropriated $28, ,369,127 for the continuation of work on yes sells, making 8 total for<construction' heretofore authorized. and the con- struction now authorized, of 98,859,- 37S.
 sTRe comittee, in recommending five battle cruisers to the exclusion of battIeships in this years program, does not wish to be understood as concluding that the batt1eship has hU another type of war craft. The great majority of experts who appeared be- fore the committee and the committee are of the opinion that the most pressing need of the fleet today is the addition of battle cruisers and scout cruisers.
 .'Our fleet of dreadnoughts and pre-dreadnoughts has reached such a proportion that the construction of battle cruisers must now be author .ized and construction begun at once, -thataour fleet be properly balanced for fighting efficiency.
 ''In addition to the fighting quail ties of the battle cruiser, the Euro pean war demonstrates that a battle cruiser, acting independently, can cover wide areas, protect it's own com merce and destroy the eneny's mer- chant marine. They even prove sue cessfu1 in raids on vulnerable points or the enemyS' coasts, and, owing to their great gun power can, within a short time, work destruction before a superior. enemy force can arrive on the scene.''
 The committee recommends that the enlisted personnel of the navy be increased by 13,500 men and the Marine Corps by 3,O79, a total of 16,- 579. This increase is all that can be recruited during the next year, and will be sufficient to keep in cornnis- sion a full Atlantic fleet of four di- visions, an adequate Pacific fleet, an Asiatic fleet. and a cruiser squadron in the Atlantic. It Likewise will keep the reserve ships with 40 per cent. of their crews
 ''It is believed D says the report, t'that the committee in the interest of preparedeness has recommended all provisions necessary as regards the personnel and the handling of the material of the navy as it exists to- day.
 In. order to have on hand ammuni- ton ready to be put; on board new ships as they are placed in comnis- 1 sion, the bill carries an appropria- ton of $13,72o,OO
 An appropriation of s2,0oO,o0o is carried for aviation. The committee l says:
 ''It is the opinion of the chief of naval operations that this sum will l giWe sufficient funds to buy additional |