The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-01-30
U. S. WARSHIPS
) To Be BIGGEST
FIGHTING CRAFT
Eighteen Large Submarines
Too, and Battle Cruisers
Planned.

Washington, JAN 30-Three new
battleships, to be the biggest in the
world, were decided upon yesterday
by the Committee on Naval Affairs
of the House, which finished it's work
on the Appropriation Bill. These
ships will have a displacement Of
$4,000 tons each and will cost, COM
plete with armor and armament and
ammunition, a total of $28,17S,58
apiece. They will have a speed of
twenty-three knots, two knots greater
than American battleships heretofore
authorized, and will be fitted out
with twelve 16-inch guns.
The Administrators $80O,OOO,000
defense budget was advanced further
also when the House today passed
the Fortifications Bill carrying a to-
tai Of more than $51, 000,0 900 for coast
defenses.
The Army Appropriation Bill, the
third element of the program, still is
in the House Military Committee,
which is expected to complete it next
week Estimates for the army reach
a total of more than $3.50, 100000, ex-
elusive of numerous deficiency meas
ures resulting from the border mo-
bilization and the rising cost of war
materials.
The Navy Appropriation Bill, winch
will be reported to the House tomor-
row, provides for the expenditure of
1851, 453,245, an increase of more
than $38,OO0,OO0 above the appropri-.
sation passed by the last Congress,
which was $313,30O,555.
vrS1.- ~ NJ,
deavored to carry along toward COM
pletion the preparedness program OF
the Wilson administration. The
amount authorized is somewhat less
than the estimated $379,OOO,0O0. This
is declared to be due to the fact that
some of the moneys previously ap-
propriated have not yet been expend-
ed.
Among the increases recommended
by the committee are 18 800-ton
type submarines instead of 5O0-ton
submarines This type Of submarine,
including ammunition and armament,
will cost 81 ,434,O93 each.
The Navy Program.
The following additional ships have
been decided upon by the committee:
One battle cruiser: to cost $685.
694,496, with armament and ammuni-
ton and have speed of 35 knots.
Three scout cruisers. $6,746.145
each, with armament and ammunition.
: Fifteen torpedo boat destroyers,
s1,748,612 each, with armament and
ammunition.
One destroyer tender, $2,8D8,929,
with armament and ammunition.
One submarine tender, $2,199, 400,
with armament and ammunition.
The. committee decided to increase
the limit Of cost on four battle cruis-
ers and three scout cruisers previously
authorized. The limit on the hull
and machinery of the battle cruisers
is raised to. $19,0o0,0oO from $16,-
100000 each, and on the scout cruis-
ers for hull and machinery the limit
is raised $1,000,00O.
The new bill provides $12,000,000
for the construction of navy yards
provided the Secretary of the Navy
cannot get contracts for vessels at a
fair and reasonable price, Construc-
ton Of all vessels is to begin as soon
as practicable.
The number of appointments for
the Secretary Of the Navy at the Naval
Academy is increased from rs to 100
per year.
The program is that recommended
by the department and represents
one-half of the remaining portion of
the three-year program approved last
year.
No Increase in the pay of the navy
was allowed. The committee had be-
fore it information that the enlist
ment in the navy in December showed
a gain of 1000.
Outlook for Training Bill.
The Administration leaders look for
continued success in the preparedness
program at this season. 1t is quite
probable that some bill for universal
military training may be brought in,
but no action upon it is expected be-
fore the close OF the session.
'AThe Military Affairs Committee
will have made progress If it reports
out a bill this session." said Senator
yesterday. He does not
know what, the other members of the
committee think Of the proposition. A
great volume Of testimdny for and
against the plan has been presented.
This will be concluded probably
Thursday when Senator Lee and Ma
jor, Gen. Leonard Wood appear be-
fore the committee. Senator Cham
berlain has altered his views about
some Of the details connected with
his bill, but is of the opinion that
some system is absolutely necessary.
II don't think the Federal Govern