The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-02
NAVY TO RUSH WORK
ON 18 WARSHIPS
Secretary Daniels Says Orders
Have Been Issued to
Overcome Delays.
ENOUGH MONEY PROVIDED
Three and>a Quarter Billions
Voted in Past Twelve
Months.

WASHINGTON. July / Steps to ex-
pedite as much as possible construction
of the remaining forty eight vessels, in
GLIDING battle cruisers aud superdread-
noughts, OF the 15s authorized in the
three year naval building programme
approved by Congress two years ago
already have been taken b. the Navy
Department.
This was disclosed tonight ny Secre-
tary Daniels in a statement reviewing
the provisions of the $1,000. 600, 900
naval appropriation Diil recently passed
by Congress and to which President Will
son to-day attached his signature.
THE BILL" said the Secretary, makes
it obligatory to begin construction of all
Of the forty-eight vessels of the 156
vessels composing the three year pro-
gramme authorized In the act of Au-
gust 20. 1916. the construction OF which
has not previously specifically been di-
rected TO be begun.
Plans to Expedite Work.
81 am keenly interested in the early
execution OF this programme and have
regretted that lack OF facilities due to
the big demand for destroyers. trans
ports and cargo ships rendered II neCes-
sary to somewhat abate the fine prog
ress that was being made. However, |
requested that the act be worded in this
mandatory way, for II is my earnest de-
sire and expectation to carry it out, and
l have already taken steps to expedite
construction as much as possible.
Money is not only provided for com
pleting the big three year programme
but an additional s10O.OOU,00o Is made
i1nl hi =
stroyers, submarine chasers and other
naval craft as the exigencies of the war
may make necessary"
The country, Congress and the navy
all send congratulations. Mr.. Daniels
said In beginning his statement. THE
country and the navy because of this
manifest Endorsement of the navy and its
achievements, and Congress because of
its wisdom in previously voting money
and enacting necessary laws to enable
the navy to attain that degree of eff
cheney which warranted such n degree
OF confidence that every dollar for which
a need was apparent has been included
in this bill.
Approves Promotion by Selection.
Moreover. the many legislative pro-
visions in this bill are entirely satis-
factory and sufficient. OF these latter
! am personally greatly interested In
the provision applying promotion by
selection TO the staff. The law OF 1915
dealt with the line alone, but the
seniority rule Is as Objectionable in one
case as in another. and am glad that
Congress has seen fit to dispense gen.
orally with practice which put
premium on mediocrity. and / am glad
to say that this new procedure is as
welcome 10 the staff as to myself
The hill abolishes the National Naval
Volunteers. or. in other words, the Fed
eralized Naval Militia. and empowers
the President 10 transfer the members
thereof to the Naval Reserve This leg
islation was needed for admin strative
reasons and a better and more efficient
organization is bound TO result.
Perhaps the outstanding feature OF
the bill is the permanent increase in the
enlisted strength Of the navy from $1,000
to l3l.iS5 men. Many new ships have
been permanently added to the fleet and
many more Will be commissioned in 1919
and this Increase in personnel is to pro-
vide the offers and crews for these per-
nlanent additions.
Increase in Marine Corps.
The bill authorizes an increase TO
io,op" IN me Marine Corps from 10000,
and carries also one new permanent
Mator-Genera ana one temporary
Maior-General, who. with the Major
General commandant. give three officers
Of this rank 10 the Marine Corps. 1t
also authorizes for the duration of the
war six Brgadler Generals. twenty two
Colonies and twenty-five Lieutenant
Colonies There are no better fighting
men in the world than the marines. as
recent events in France have empha-
sized, and Congress wisely provided for
an Increase in numbers and for in
creased training stations where men can
be prepared.
The bill votes SI.573,46S.il5.sT, the
biggest credit ever appropriated for the
navy in a single measure. For the
last fiscal year FIVE separate measure
carrying 81 ,676, 400, $3.50 for the navy