Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-02
NAVY DEPARTMENT READY
TO RUSH NAVAL BUILDING
Secretary Daniels Says Steps Have
Been Taken for Early Con-
structiOn of Ships.
SUM FOR ADDITIONAL VESSELS
Fcderalizcd Militia Abolishcd-En-
listed Strength of Sea Fighting
Forces Increased to 13I,IS5 Men.
Marine Corps Enlarged.

tBy Associated Prcss1
| WASlIlNGTON. July l.-Steps to ex-
peditc as much as possible construction
of the remaining forty eight vessels
| including battle cruisers and supcr-
| Drcadnoughts. of the 1856 authorized in
approved by Congress two years ago.
already have been taken by the Navy
| department.
This WAS disclosed tonight by Sec
rotary Daniels in statement review
ing the provisions of the $1,000. OO0. 900
| naval appropriation bill recently passed
by Congress and to which President
Wilson to-day attached his signature
The BILL" said the secretary. makes
it obligatory 10 begin construction of
all of the forty-eight YES sells of the
l56 vessels comprising he three year
program, authorized in the act of Au-
gust -. 1916. the con ;truction OF which
has not previously acincally been di-
re"tcd to be hegrn. I am kcruly in
tc"estcd in the early execution Of this
program and have regretted that lack
CO facilities due to the big demand for
des,royers, Transports and cargo ships
abate the fine progress that was being
made. However. ] requested that the
act he worded i'm this mandatory way
:cr il is my earnest desire and expcc-
ta'ion TO carry il out. and have al
ready taken steps TO expedite con-
struction as much as Iossiblc.
Money is not only provided for COM
plcting the biE three lear program
but an additional 500 300. 600 is made
available for add tion3l torpedo boat
dcStroycrS. submarine chasers. and
other naval craft as tho cXiEencics Of
the war may make neces sary.
The bill abOlishes the national naval
volunteers. or, in other words. tho Fed
eralizcd naval militia. and empowers
the President to transfer the members
thereof to tho naval reserves. This
legislation was needed for adminis,ra-
tive reasons. and a better and more er-
hcient organization Is hound to re-
suit.
MANY NEW VESSELS
ADDED TO FLEET
perhaps the outstanding feature OF
the bill is the permanent increase in
the enlisted strength OF the navy from
$1,000 to l3l.4S5 men. Many new ships
nave bt'I permanently auueu 10 the
fleet and many more will be commits
sionul III 1919 and this increase In
personnel is to provide the officers and
crews for these permanent additions.
The bill authorizes an increase 10
1900 in the marine corps from 10000.
and carries also one new permanent
major general and one temporary ma
Jor- general, who. with tho niajor-gcn-
cral-commandant, give three officers OF
this rank to the marine corps. 1t also
authorized for the duration OF the war.
six brigadicr-gcncralS twenty-five
colonies and twenty-five lieutenant
colonies There are no better lighting
men in the world than tho marines, as
recent events in Franco have enphu-
sized and Congress wisely provided for
an increase in numbers and for in
creased training stations where men
can he prepared.
There is one new provision that will
give recognition to civilians who de-
serve it in that civilian naval employees
who render conspicuous services by
putting their lives in jeopardy to save
life or property arc to lie awarded
medals in the same way as medals are
awarded TO men AT sea for conspicuous
service.
BIGGEST CREDIT EVER
VOTED ron NAVY