New-York tribune., 1918-10-23
Daniels Asks
156 New Ships
For the Navy
I e,n Superdreadnoughts
and Six Battle-Cru;sers
in Programme

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22.-Congress
mas been asked by the Navy Depart
ment to authorize a second three-year
naval building programme to provide
ten additional superdreadnoughts. six
battle-cruisers and 14O smaller vessels
at cost of $500, 100000. This was dis
closed to night by Secretary Daniels
after his appearance before the House
Naval Committee to explain the appro-
priation.
lhls authorization is asked for the
next fiscal year, and is in addition to
the l56 naval vessels comprising the
hrst three-year building programme
authorized in 1915 and the great num-
Der OF new destroyers and other special
types contracted for since the United
States entered the war. Work on the
nrst three-year programme was delayed
by the war, but Congress has required
that start must be made on all the
vessels before next July /.
To Spend 100000, 900
Including the $600,0OO,0O0 for the
three-year programme, Secretary Dan
leis said, the total estimates of the de-
partnent for ship construction. includ-
ing armor and armament. amount this
year to $972,090,0 900. Only 100000 900
of the $500 100000 will be made avail
able next year for structural work on
the three year programme. In add-
ton, S372,090O00 is asked for complet-
ing vessels already authorized.
The new programme of 1856 vessels"
said Secretary Daniels, "prescribes spe-
cific numbers of battleships and bat
tle-cruisers only, there being ten battle
ships asked for and six battle-cruisers
AS regards small vessels. although the
total number is to be 40, it is simply
asked that they be of types already
approved and in existence, or of new
types which may develop during the
life of the programme, the details be-
ing left to the discretion of the NAVY
Department.
In Line With Policy
THE new threeyear programme is
4 continuation Of the policy adopted in
1916 of increasing the navy, and con-
templates its steady upbuilding and
Improvement. 1t is in line with the
policy adopted by this government,
which has met with the entire approval
of the American people, of building up
navy strong enough to meet all
requirements.
This programme, if authorized by
Congress, as | am confident it will be,
will give us sixteen capital ships that
will be the equal of any afoat at the
time they are built. The battleships
and ba.tlecruisers authorized in the
first three-year programme will be un-
excelled by those Of any other navy.
and the country may rest assured that
IN the new construction authorized. our
constructors will produce the most DOW
erfui and effective of fighting craft.
Imperative Necessity
The imperative necessity of turning
CUT as rapidly as possible all the de-
stroyers and other types of craft
needed in the war against the sub
marine ami for the necessities of war
fare a. tins lime, required US TO con
centrate upon this class Of construc-
ton, and has led to the tear IN SOM
quarters that IN devotine so much
necessary attention to the buildiny ~ =;
smaller craft we might fail some IN
looking out for the future in builainr
the capital ships on which The s.rcnrth :
CT 2 navy ultima ely depends. Tbis
the naval authorities have always had
,n,, ne three-.year programme adopted
N 1915 provided for ten battle hin
and six battle-cruisers. Now we u
for as many more, % be built az tbass
formerly authorized are completed and
facilities become available.a 'N