Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-21
NAVY MENAT WORK
ON 1918 PROGRAM
Estimates to Be Presented to
Congress This Winter Heavi-
est in American History.
CALL FOR S37e,151.7O1 TOTAL
Figures Contemplate Building of
Half of Ships Yet Remaining
on Three Year Schedule.
fRN A.sncin,eh prn.xI

WASHINGTON. Nuv"ribcr 2O-Whiic
Secretary Daniels was awarding con-
tracts to-day for armor plato for the
four battlcShiDS authorized at the last
session OF Congress and approving
plans for an ammunition ship, the last
vessel designed for tn" 1917 building
program. the appropriation subcom-
mittee Of the House Naval Committee
began work ON tn. 1918 estimates the
heaviest in American history. TO be
presented TO Congress this winter. The
Navy Departments 1915 figures con-
template construction Of half of the
ships yet Ia be built in the Srcat three
year program, and show total appro-
prations. of S3ie.l5l,7Ql. or moro than
s6G.0ot,oO0 in excess of the record total
appropriated last summer.
Contracts for the armor plate. which
will GO on the Colorado Maryland
Washington and West Virginia were
awarded 10 the Bethlehem and Car
ncsie Steel Companies, each receiving
half OF the work. y statement analyz-
ing the contracts says that, despite
the unprecedented European demand
for plate. the prices offered were APP
proNmatcly the same as those paid
three years ago when the Pennsylvania
was being constructed
ESTIMATES BEFORE
HOUSE SUBCOMMiTTEE
The department estimates before the
House subcommittee call for funds to
begin construction OF three batticships.
one battle cruiser. three scout cruisers,
sixteen dcstroyers. four fleet sub
marines, fourteen coast submarines.
one submarine tender and one DESTROYER
tender.
1t is understood tina. the navy gen.
eral board urged that the two battle
cruisers remaining on the three-year
program and four of the six battle
ships be placed in the 1918 estimates
The department decided. however, to
divide the new construction equally
between the 1918 and 1919 bills
Rear-Admiral Strauss, chief of ord
nance. appeared before the subcom-
mittee. Explaining an increase i'm his
estimates of sl.500.000 for fleet am
munition. he said that the cost of pro-
jectiles and other ordnance material
had increased that much since Con-
Ercss provided Sl3,000.00O for the pur-
pose last year. Prices of smaller
shells. he said. were going down. IN
dicating decreasing demand from
lSuIbDt, put large SnellS oil the TOUR
ccn-inch size used by the navy showed
a 20 per cent increase over last years
quotations.
Al another point Acmral Strauss
outlined the departments scheme for
storing in navyyards guns and am
muniiion with which to equip merchant
steamers as naval auNiliari.s in time
Of war More than S3,OO0.00o for the
purchase of guns and mountings for
this purpose was provided last year,
and this year the department seeks
sl,50o,00o for ammunition.
The department also has recon-
mended the installation of ntiaircraft
guns at naval stations. magazines and
radio stations. the pending estimates
providing sl.00O.o00 for this purpose.
II will take more than 100 of the navy's
three-inch. fifty-caliber guns for this
purpose.
Admiral Strauss said the naval gun
factory was now producing torpcdoes.
the first deliveries. however. exceeding
I'm cost the price quoted by private
manufacturers. 1t is expected that the
factory will get its costs considerably
below the commercial rate with its
next delivery.
sNbHlll di 'NNIduSS VIII appear bttOre
the committee again tomorrow. and
will he followed by other bureau chiefs
and finally By Secretary Daniels and
members Of the general board.
The ammunition ship, for which the
secretary approved plans. is tho first
craft of the kind ever designed for the
navy. She will have a displacement of
10000 tons. with cargo of powder and
Oh nI1 iaI
for handling explosives aboard, and
the holds will he equipped with cool
ing facilities To insure the rcgula-
spaces Will make her easily convertible
into Il supply vessel
MACHINERY DESIGNED
FOR COAL OR FUEI. OIL
rropcilinG machinery is designed for
either coal or fuel oil \ defensive
armament includes four iive-inch rapid
fire guns and two threc-inch autiair-
craft guns. Bids are being asked from
shipbuildcrs. and the department hopcs
to be able TO open them by the first
of the year
Secretary Daniels said to-day he had
arranged to confer with representatives
Of the Electric Boat Company in an
effort to seek notifications OF their
pending submarine bids This company
offered to construct twenty four or
more submarines, deliveries to begin
within twenty five months, and pro-
posed at much higher cost to have the
deliveries begin within fifteen months
The department iS determined to place
the submarine construction OF not more
than twenty-five months basis.
Representatives of the Seattle Con
struction and Dry Dock Company also
will confer with the department Of
ficials on Wednesday,. This company
submitted the only proposal that Game
within the law for the construction Of
a scout cruiser. With the contract for
one scout cruiser given to the Seattle
company, the department still faces the
problem of placing the construction OF
the remaining three vessels Of this
type. and Secretary Daniels IL plan
ming to return to Congress for an ad-
ditional appropriation for the building
of these ships.