The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-23
NAVY IS RUSHING PREP PARATI0NS TO
 TAKE PART IN WAR
Wants Every Destroyer Possible Built at Once to
 Increase Strength.

Washington, March 23.-Naval preparations for war are marked by Increased activity with the advance ment to April of the date of the extra session of Congress.
 No actual war steps have been ta- ken by either the War or Navy De- partments, but there were many indi- cations that preliminary plans have been worked out for rapid mobiliza- tion of both services if the call comes.
 The Navy's task is simple. It's prob lems are those of material rather than of personnel. At most, little more than 100000 men would be required for manning every available ship or scouting craft. They could be obtain ed almost overnight by mobilization of the Naval Militia and the various sections of the Naval Reserve, supple mented with volunteers. Only highly trained officers would be lacking.
 The Armys problem is just the re- verse. It is the men that will be need ed, and no definite step toward se- curing a great force for training can be taken until Congress expresses it's will. Full equipment can be obtained long before the men are ready to use it.
 s1 included the advancement of the date of opening bids for additional destroy CTS and notification to shipbuilders that their full capacity would be util- ized in thiSswork.
 There is no way of estimating how many destroyers will be ordered until estimates called for show how many can be built. Sec. Daniels said every available plant would be utilized to it's utmost. The builders will present their figures next Saturday and awards will be made immediately. A Bids for the first consignment of 110-foot submarine ,chasers or coast patrol boats also were received to- day, but will be held confidential until next Wednesday, when 100 additional builders are expected to submit fig. ures. The navy hopes to find facili- ties available for more than 200 boats, the frkt of them to be delivered in two or three months.
 Meanwhile the work of surveying private yachts and motor craft is be- ing pressed in every Naval district and the enrolment of volunteers to man the boats proceeds rapidly.
 The department has no present in- tention of taking over merchant craft for naval use. All American merchant ships, however, have been surveyed and classified by Navy officials for possible use in time of war.
 The guns being placed aboard trans Atlantic craft were destined originally to arm auxiliary cruisers withdrawn from merchant fleets for that pur- pose. Other vessels were classified as co1liers. supply ships or transports as they were found suitable. In many fn- stances the officers of these ships have enrolled as reserve naval officers and would accompany their vessels in the government service.
 No definite policy has yet been adopted" MT. Daniels said I've will not, however, denoralize commerce None of the ships engaged in trade will be taken oyer except in cSse of vital necessity. They would all be taken in that case.''
 A board of navy officers already fs dealing with the merchant marine question and will cooperate with the shipping board in whatever is- done. It was indicated, however, that no plans the navy department is now making will require the acquisition of any. important portion of the mer- chant marine to navy uses
 Some ships may be diverted under charter to supply the fighting fleets or scout patrols. if necessary. but be- cause of the fact that it is believed the major ships of the navy would not be actively engaged, it is improb- able that great supply line will be set up.
 Navy officials were disturbed by press reports of a strike in the Curtisa R- which the government has placed orders. Yesterday a conference of the various aeronautica1 organizations was held at the War Department to dis cuss means of hastening aircraft pro- .ductfon, and the situation at the Cur tiss plant The President has power to take over the establishment if nec- essary.
 joint Army and Navy board re- ports that in its opinion the develop ment of the air services of both rnili- tary arms of the government should be coordinated and consolidated to a large extent.
 Orders to enroll women for nurse work in time of war as part of the Naval Reserve forces were sent out today to commandants of Naval dis- tricts and recruiting officers.
 Details for the enlistment of wo- men as clerks, typists, radio operators and for similar positions so that the men occupying such places may be re- 1ieved of shore duty and used to strengthen the sea forces already have been completed.
 The new munitions standardization board, organized under the Council of National Defense. held its first formal meeting Wednesday at the War De- partment. Members of the board. just appointed by Sec, Baker as chairman of the council, are Frank A. Scott of Warner &s Co. Cleveland, rnanufac- furers of automatic machinery; w. H. Vanderyoort of Root & vandervoort, builders of machine tools: E. A. Deeds, formerly general manager of the National Cash Register Company; Frank Pratt of the General Electric Company. Samuel vauc1ain of the Baldwin Locomotive Works and John E. Otterson. vfce-presfdent of the Winchester Arms Company. Most of these men for the last three years have been active in procuring nunf- lions for the Allies. They are especial. 1y qualified to establish correct specfzz fieations and detailed drawings neces- sary for standardization manufacture ef munitions by both government and private manufacturing plants.
 At the War Department inquiries concerning preparations are met with the statement that the Army and Ma