Tonopah daily bonanza. [volume] (Tonopah, Nev.) 1906-1929, 1917-03-22

nv Associated PreHs'D
WASHINGTON, D. C., Mar. 22.-
Naval preparations for war are
marked by increased activity No
otber war steps were taken by eth
ar the war or navy departments,
bpt there were many indications
that preliminary plans have been
worked out for rapid rehabilitation
for both services if the call comes.
The navys task is simple Its
probems are those of material rath-
or than personnel At most little
more than 100000 men would be re-
ouired for manning every available
shin or scouting craft They could
be obtained almost over night by
mobilization OF the naval militia
and the various sections OF the navy
reserves supplemented with yolun-
teers. Only highly trained officers
would be lacking
The army's problem is just the re-
verse II is men that would be need
ed and no definite step toward secur-
ing a great force for training can
be taken until Congress expresses its
will Full equipment can be obtain
cd long before the men are ready
to use It.
Steps actually taken by the navy
include advancement Of the date
for opening bids for additional de
strOyers and notification to ship
builders that their full plant capac-
lty would be utilized In this work
There is no way OF estimating how
many destroyers will be ordered un-
III estimates called for show how
many can be built Secretary Dan
els said every available plant would
be utilized to its utmost The build
ss will present their figures next
Saturday and awards will be made
Immediately
Bids for the first large consign-
ment OF l1Ofoot submarine chasers
or coast patrol boats were received
today. but will be held confidential
until Wednesday when 100 additional
builders are expected to submit fig
ues.
The navy hopes to find facilities
FOR more than 200 boats, the first
Of them to be delivered in two or
three months. Meanwhile the work
Of surveying private yachts and mo-
tor craft is being pressed in every
naval district and the enrolment OF
volunteers to man the boats pro
ceeds rapidly
All American merchant ships, how
ever. have been surveyed and class
flied by navy officials for possible
use in time of war. The guns being
placed aboard transatlantic craft
we're destined originally to arm aux
lllary cruisers withdrawn from mer
chant fleets for that purpose Othel
vessels were classified as colliers
supply ships or transports as they
were found suitable. In many in
stances the officers Of these shipi
have enrolled as reserve naval of
ficers and would accompany thei
vessels in the government service
The munitions Standardization
board. organized under the council
OF national defense, held its firs
formal meeting at the war depart
ment during the day. comforting wit
ordnance officials. Members of Tn
board, just appointed by Secretar
Baker as chairman Of the council
are Frank A. Scott, of Warner
Co., Cleveland, manufacturers of al
lomatic machinery; W. H. Vande
WORT, Of Root g. vandervoort, built
ers OF machine tools; r A. Deed
former general manager of the Ma
lonal Cash Register company; Fran
Pratt, Of the General Electric con
pany; Samuel vauclain, of the Bal
win Locomotive Works, and John
otterson, vice-presldent of the Wi
chester Arms company
Nose of these men for the la
mree years have been active in pr
curing munitions for the allies
. . . = = . . =
TODAY AND A YEAR AGO
Official readings of the ther-