Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-20

Washington, March Is s-Preparation for agg -eSsiVe action by tine navy against the German submarine menace began today 9. the direction Of Presi- dent Wilson.
 The president authorized the ex- pe.'diture of the SIS, ,006 900 emergency fuLo provided by congress to speed up naval construction and pay for special additional war craft and the suspension of the eigh hour labor law in plants engaged on Es.va. work.
 Immediately afterward Secretary Dehiels ordered the New York navy yard to begin building 50 submarine chasers of the 110-foo: type, to be completed in from 50 ;o so days.
 Cadets Ordered Graduated.
 With the presidents approval, the secretary also ordered the graduation naval academy. The first class will gU out on March 29, releasing 172 jurior officers to fill existing vacancies, and the second in SeLSember, furnish in- POP more. a full year before they osI erwise wound be available.
 While the energies of the navy will be concentrated fer the present on ef- forts to get into com.n SSior craft de- signed particularly to destroy subma- rines and guard the coast, warship building generally wi.> te speeded up under the recent agreement with pri- vate builders and wito the funds now made available.
 The announcements from the depart mCnt followed an horr's conference b4tween NSecr-tary Dan.els and the president, who walkel oveI from the White House to the state. war and navy building for the purpose.
 Government to MonopcIizo Market.
 Engines flor the "chasers" to be be bought from private manufacturers in time to have them Installed prompt ly upon completion of he hulfs> Bids for 200 or more additional craft of the same type, c oast p>-rol boats" as they are to be designated will be opened oext Wednesday. Mir. Daniels has called upon the en-re small boat industry to submit fig ures to the ni -rnber that could be turned out at high speed. He plans to monopoIize the market with government orders.
 A large number of pr vately owned motor craft available for navy use may be drawn upon a any time. Re- tired naval officers have been at work ing boats for :. month. Contracts have been made for their ocrchase and te'egraphic order will make them gov errment property owe" night
 Volunteer Crews Enrolled.
 Volunteer crews fo- tI.e boats have others along he coasts Commanders of naval districts are ready to call them out and begin ., .rol work with virtually no delay.
 Navy officials estimate that within four months a fleet of 2,000 patrols and chasers will be ready for action. It is planned to assemble the volun-, te@rs within a few day. to begin actu- al operations as matter of training.
 Patrol Off A.ner'cs Coast.
 Tn this connection, officials say it is planned to este blish a submarine proof patrol soE the Amerio=a1 coast. Since the visit of the German submarine U-53 to Newport last summer, it is believed necessary to provice for pro- tection of American larbors in the event of war.
 Informal negotiations will be start ef for a working agreement with British and French patrol squadrons now endeavoring to protect ships pass in;; through the Gec- an submarine zur.e. The plan would aecessitate the interchange of information as to the routing of merchant craft to and fro across the Atlantic.
 the uses to be made O. he new patrol boats.
 To Suspend Eight Four Law.
 Recent navy contracts vert let with the understanding that he eight hour law would be suspended because of the shortage of skilled ie boz Builders have agreed o constr-Ic' the five bat tie cruisers and six sect t cruisers re- gently assigned to them at the great will meet extra payr II and other ex- penses due to the speeding up.
 Secretary Daniels se i'd there was no present need of exercising the author ityH to commander shIpbuilding or other plants to haste. navy building.