Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-22
NAVY SPEEDS UP
ITS PREPARATIONS
Bids for Building Submarine
Chasers Received-2OO May
BE Constructed.

Washington. March 2l.-Naval prepara-
,ons for war were marked by increased
activity to-day with the advance to April
. of the date of the extra session of Con-
gress. No actual war steps were taken
by either the war or navy departments,
but there We're many indications that pre-
linnary plans have been worked out for
rapid mobilization OF both services il the
call comes.
| The navy's task is simple. It's problems
are those of material rather than person.
mel. At most little more than 100000 men
would be required for manning every
available ship or scouting craft. They
could be obtained almost overnight by
mobilization of the naval militia and the
various sections of the naval reserve, sup
plemented with volunteers. Only highly
trained officers would be lacking.
The armys problem is Just the reverse.
1t is men that will be needed and no
definite step toward securing great
! force for training can be taken until Con-
, gress expresses its will. Full equipment
can be obtained long before the men are
ready to use it,
| Steps actually taken by the navy to-
day included the advancement of the date
of opening bids for additional destroyers
and notification to ship builders that their
| full plant capacity would be utilized in
this work. There is no way of estimating
how many destroyers 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 The builders will present their
| figures next Saturday and awards will
be made Immediately
! Bids for the first large consignment OF
ll0-foot submarine chasers or coast patrol
b also were received to-day. but will
Id confidential until next Wednes-
l, when 100 additional builders are eX-
lpocted tc submit figures. The navy hopes
to find facilities available for more than
200 boats. the first of them to be delivered
IN two TO three months. Meanwhile. the
work of surveying private yachts and
motor craft is being pressed in every naval
district and the enrolment OF volunteers
TO man the boats proceeds rapidly.
The department has no present inten-
ton of taking over merchant craft for
naval use. Secretary Daniels said to-
night amplifying earlier assurances given
to American ship owners by Chairman
Denman of the shipping board.
All American merchant ships. however
have been surveyed and classified by
navy officials for possible use in time OF
trans Atlantic craft were destined orig.
inally to arm auxiliary cruisers with
, drawn from merchant fleets for that pur.
pose. Other vessels We're classified al
coliers. supply ships or transports as they
were found suitable. In many instances
the officers of these ships have enrolled
, as reserve naval officers and would ac.
company their vessels in the government
service.
mo definite policy has vet beer
adopted" Mr.. Daniels said. I'VE vii
not. however. demoralize commerce. Non,
Of the ships engaged in trade will b,
taken over except i'm case of vital neces
sity They would all be taken In tha
case"
A board of navy officers already 1,
dealing with the merchant marine ques
tion and will cooperate with the shipping
board In whatever is done. 1t was in
dicated. however, that no plans the nav,
department is now making will requir,
t the acquisition of any important portion
v of the merchant marine to navy uses
: Some ships may be diverted under charte
S to supply the fighting fleets or scou
= patrols, If necessary, but because of tn,
e fact that it is believed the major ship
n of the navy would not he actively en-
I gagged. it Is improbable that a great suppl,
= line will he set up.
= Tomorrow conference OF variou
| aeronautical organizations will be hel,
l at the war department to discuss mean
= of Fastening aircraft production A join
army and navy board reported to-day tha
4 in its opinion the development of the al
= services of both military arms of the gov
8 ernment should be co-ordinated and con
e solidated TO large extent.