The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1917-03-23
navy READY FOR
ANY EMERGENCY

| preparation for war were marked bv
increased activity today with the adj
Jancement of the extra session of CON
gress. No actual war steps were tax
en-, by either the war or navy denart-
nent, but there were many indications
mat preliminary plans have been
worked out for rapid mobilization of
both services if the call comes.
| lhe navy's task is simple. It's prob
TENS are those of material, rather than
personnel. At most, little more than
loo'ooO men would be required for
manning every available ship or scout
,ng craft. They could be obtained al
most overnight by mobilization of the
naval militia and the various sections
OF the naval militia and the various
sections of the naval reserve, supple
mented by volunteers, although train
ed officers would be lacking.
The army's problem is just the re-
verse 1t is men that will be needed
and no definite step toward securing
a great force for training can be TAX
en- until congress expresses it's will
Navy is Rushing Work
Steps actually taken by the navy to-
day include the advancement of the
date OF opening bids for additional de-
stroyers and notification to shipbuild-
ers that their full plant capacity would
be utilized in this work. There is no
way of estimating how many destroy
ers will be ordered until estimates
called for show how many can be
built Secretary Daniels said every
available plant would be utilized to its
utmost.
Bids TO rthe first large consignment
of ll0-foot submarine chasers or coast
patrol boats also were received today
but will be held confidential until next
Wednesday, when 100 additional
builders are expected to submit figures
on their construction. The navy hopes
to find facilities available for more
than 200 boats, the first of them to be
delivered in two or three months
The department has no present in
tention of taking over merchant craft
for naval use, Secretary Daniels sale
tonight, amplifying earlier assurances
given to American shipowners by
Chairman Denman of the shipping
board.
All American merchant ships have
been surveyed and classified by navy
officials for possible use in time O.
war. The guns being placed aboarc
transatlantic craft were destined or
iginally to arm auxiliary cruisers with
drawn from merchant: fleets for tina
purpose.
Not to Demora1ize Shipping
| Other vessels were Classified as col
liers, supply ships or transports.
mo definite policy yet has beer
adopted," Mr.. Daniels said. "We will
mot, however, demoralize commerce
None Of the ships engaged in trade
twill be taken over except in case O
! vital necessity. They would all b,
taken in that case
I A board of navy officers already i
dealing with the merchant marine
question and will cooperate with tn,
shipping board in whatever is done
1t was indicated that no plans the ma
wy department now is making will re
quire the acquisition of any importan
portion of the merchant marine TO
navy use.
Orders to enroll women for nurs,
work in time of war as a part of tn,
naval reserve forces were sent out to
day to commandments of naval district
and recruiting officers. Details for tn
enlistment of women as clerks, typists
radio operators and for similar posi-
tons, so that the men occupying. sucl
places may be relieved of shore dut,
and used to strengthen the sea force
already have been completed.
The new munitions Standardization
board organized under the council O
national defense held its first forma
meeting at the war department today
Munitions Forces Organized
Most of the members for the las
three years have been active in pro
curing munitions for the allies. The
are especially qualified to establis
correct specifications and detail draw
ings necessary for standardized manu-
facture of munitions by both govern
ment and ps%ate manufacturing
plants. M