Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-20
NAVY PREPARING
FOR AGGRESSIVE
ACTION AT ONCE
President Authorizes Ex-
penditure of S115,OOO,OOO
to Speed Up Work.
ORDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION
OF go SUBMARINE CHASERS
First and Second Glasses at Naval
Academy to Be Graduated
Within Few Months.
PATROL OFF AMERICAN COAST
TO Work With British and French
Patrol Squadrons in Pro-
tccting Ships.
ORDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION
OF go SUBMARINE, CHASERS
PATROL OFF AMERICAN COAST
TO Work With British and French
Patrol Squadrons in Pro-
tccting Ships.
Nv Associated Pressl

Rv Associated Pressl
WASHINGTON. March l9-prcpara-
tion for aggressive action by the navy
against the German submarine menace
began to-day at the direction OF presi-
dent Wilson.
The President authorized the cxpcn-
ditnrc Of the Slla.o00.O0 emergency
fund provided by Congress to speed up
naval construction. and pay for special
additional war craft. and the suspcn-
sion Of the cight-hour labor law in
plants engaged on navy work
Immediately aftcrward. Secretary
Daniels ordered the New York Navy
Yard to begin building sixty submarine
chascrs of tho 11O-foot type, TO bo
completed in from sixty to eighty days.
With the Presidents approval. ,hs
secretary also ordered the graduation
OF the first and second classes ut the
Naval Academy. The first class Will
go out March 90, releasing lT2
Junior officers to fill existing vacancies,
and the second in September, furnish
ing 202 moro full year before they
otherwise would be available. N&
While the energies Of the navy
will he concentrated for the present
on efforts to get into commission craft
designed particularly to destroy sub
marines and guard the coast. warship
building generally will he specded up
under the recent agreement with pri
vatc builders and with the funds now
made available.
The announcements from the depart
ment followed a brief conference be-
tween Secretary Daniels and the prcsi-
dent, who walked over from the White
House to the State, War and Navy
Eililliur for the DurDOSe.
BIDS FOR 200 MORE
soon TO RE OPENED
Engines for the "chasers" to be
turned out by the New York plant will
be bought from private manufacturers
in time To have them installed prompt
ly upon completion OF the hulls. Bids
Tor 200 more additional craft Of the
same type. coast patrol boats as they
are to be designated. will be opened
next Wednesday.
y large number or privately owned
motor craft available for navy use may
be drawn upou at any time. Retired
navy officers have been at work along
the entire Atlantic coast surveying
boats for month, and II tclegraphic
order will make them government
property overnight.
Navy officials estimate that within
four months a fleet OF 1000 patrols and
chaSers will be ready for action. II is
planned to assemble the volunteers
within a few days to begin actual op-
era tionS as matter OF training. pend
ing orders from the President for COM
plete mobilization of the navy. In this
connection, officials say. 1t is planned
to establish n submarine proof patrol
of the American coast. insuring safe
a .,.;.
for all ships
ron WORKING AGREEMENT
WITH BRITISH AND FRENCH
Informal negotiations will be started
for working agreement with the
l;ritish and French patrol squudruns
now cndeavoring to protect ships pass
ing through the German submarine
zone. 1t is planned TO make American
waters safe against submarines for all
ships. with the understanding that
American ships will receive full pro-,
lection in the zones from patrols OF
the allies The plan would necessitate
the interchange Of Information as 10
the routing of merchant craft To and
fro across the Atlantic.
Secretary Daniels would no, discuss
the uses TO be made Of the new patrol
boats.
Recent navy contracts were let with
the understanding that the cight-ho
law would be suspended because Of the
shortage Of skilled labor. Builders
have agreed to construction of the five
battle cruisers and six scout cruisers
recently assigned to them at the great
est possible speed. employing at least
40 per cent OF all their men on this
work. The department will meet
extra pay roll and other expenses due
to the speeding up. paying time and
half for all work in excess of eigh,
hours.
Under this agreement II is hoped TO
complete the battle cruisers in three
years and scout cruisers la less than
TWO Secretary Daniels said there wns
no present need of exercising the au-7
thorty TO commandcer shipbuilding or
other plants to hasten navy building.
PERSONNEL. OF NAVY
HEING RECRUITED RAPIDLY
The enlisted personnel of the navy
Is being recruited rapidly at present.
total or $4,000 men being reported
to-day, Congress has authorized a