Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-01-30
Army Appropriation


The army approp,p pation BILL the
third element of theI program, still is
in the House military committee.
which is expected TO complete it next
week. Estimates for the army reach
total of more than $360,000,000 cxclu-
sivc of numerous deficiency measures
resulting from the border mobilization
and the rising cost of war materials.
The other military legislation pending
is the UNIVERSAL military training bill
before a Senate sub committee which
will conclude it's hearings. this week,
when Maj. Gems. Scott and Wood are
to be recalled for cross examination
by Senator Blair Lee of Maryland on
their previous statements that fcdcr-
alization of the national guard has
proved q failure. 1t is not expected that
Congress will take any action on the
universal training bill at this session.
The Naval Bill
The naval bill carries a total of 1851
433,245. as against $313,000,000 last
year. 1t provides for the construction
of three $4,000 ton battlcships at a to-
tai cost of $2S,17S,592 each, one battle
cruiser at a cost of $26,6944 496; three
scout cruisers at $6,746,145 each; Is
destroycrs at $174S,612 each; one de-
stroyer tender at $2,20S,000; one sub
marine tender at $a199, 400, and IS 500
ton type submarines at $1,434,093 each.
The program is that recommended by
the department and represents one
half of the remaining portion of the
three year program approved last year.
hn ha
departments recommendations only in
the type of submarines provided for.
No small coast defense submersibles
are authorized, the committee having
decided against the small 400 to 500
tons type of boat, such as those now in
service.
Raise Limit Of Cost
Taking up the problem oI botiinG under
construction the four battle cruisers au-
thorized last year. the committee raised
the limit of cost for the hull and machin-
cry to s19,00o,000 from slG500l0U. Depart
ment officials believe all four vessels can
be placed with private bidders at that
figure. The committee also needed, how
ever, Secretary Daniels recommendations
that navy yards be fitted to build large
numbers of capital ships, authorizing the
expenditure of an additional $12,000,0 600 for
that purpose in the event the department
is unable to make satisfactory contracts
for any vessel in the present bill or left
over from the preceding measure. This
would make available a total of S48.O00,000
for equipping navy yards.
For the three scout cruisers still await
ing satisfactory bids the committee rails
ed the cost for hull and machinery to
600O0 900 from $5000,000. One vessel was
ordered from the Seattle Construction Co.
some months ago at the lower figure, but
no other bids were received.
To encourage the completion Of the
1000-foot state drydock at Boston, the
committee proposed that the secretary
of the navy be authorized to enter into
a contract with the state guaranteeing
$4,000 worth of government work to the
dock for each of six years.
Another new provision Of the bill raises
the number of appointments annually at
Annapolis to be made from the enlisted
personnel of the navy from . to 100. Ap-
pointments may be made whenever va
canCies occur.
The new battleships Will be the most
powerful war vessels ever built, They
will have a speed of % knots an hour and
carry main. batteries Of II 16-inch guns
each instead of the eight 16-inch guns on
the four authorized last year.