The sun., 1918-03-15
RECORD NAVAL
BUDGET BACKS.
FLEET IN WAR
Bill for $1,325,OOO,OOO Is
Reported by the House
Committee.
BIG SUM FOR CHASERS
Money to BE Placed in Hands
of President in Effort
to Hurry Work.
BIG SUM FOR CHASERS
Special Despatch to THa Sun.

WAsHiNGroH. March i4.--America's
sea fighters will he backed up with the
largest single naval appropriation bill
priatlon measure carrying about $1,3e5.-
100000 was reported by the House
Naval Affairs Committee to-day.
To combat the submarine menace the
committee recommended that $l00, ,000.-
o0O he given the President to speed up
the production Of U-boat chasers, de-
stroyers and other small craft. includ-
ing the Aew destroyer chaser now being
manufactured by Henry Ford. The
Ford boats will be known as the Eagle
class the Navy Department announced
to-day.
Details OF the destroyer programme.
other than that the United States plans
to have the greatest destroyer fleet In
the world should the war last a year.
were not given in the bill. The report
recommends the immediate completion
Of remaining vessels authorized TO be
constructed in the three year building
schedule.
Naval aviation work will receive an
appropriation OF $ISs.0oO.0 900. or double
the original estimate. A mammoth
naval dry dock will be built at Charles
coast. The limit Of cost was placed at
1000. 900. This will necessitate the
dredging of the channel to "A depth Of
forty feet to accommodate the large
warships, at an estimated cost OF
$5.o0o.o00, The Shipping Board also
has selected Charleston as a site FOR a
shipbuilding yard.
VIII increase Personnel.
The bill also authorizes the increase
Of the enlisted navy personnel from
10000 to 900 and an Increase in
the Marine Corps OF from 10000 to
5000. as recommended by Secretary
Daniels. Besides providing for an ade-
quate number OF officers. this provision.
1t was stated. is merely a matter OF
form. as practically that many mon are
In the service now.
The appointment Of many temporary
officers was authorised as being reces-
sary because Of the large number OF
vessels under the coptrol Of the navy
which require commissioned officera
About $50 Lieutenant Commanders will
~ aHdeh. ..
The provision giving the President dis
cretionary powers was Inserted at the
recommendation Of Secretary Daniels to
safeguard details OF the building pro-
Sranine, Chairman d'ee'e ''""''' Ca
planned
I'VE do not want to publish how many
Of these craft We have built or expect to
build" said Mr.. Padsett, 'and that Is
why we deemed 1t wise to cover this
programme by placing lump sum in the
Presidents hands
'rhe remaining vessels OF the three
year building programme which will be
rushed to completion az soon as pos
s,ble but which have been delayed by
lack of shipbuilding facilities are: One
battle cruiser, three battleshlps. three
scout cruisers, nine fleet submarines. two
fuel ships. one transport, one destroyer
tender. one munition ship and one gun
boat.
Other Appropriations.
Among the larger appropriations OF
the bill are: Reserve ordnance supplies.
$4,000, 900: new naval batteries. s4s,-
3Os.52O; ammunition for vessels. S39.-
259,lSO: ordnance, $24.19i.04a: preserv-
ing and handling ammunition for ves-
sells, $39, 100000.
"Besdes these said Representative
Padgett. "a total of s750.O0O is carries
for emergency work in the various navy
yards. S65O,000 for water power inn
provement at New York and $1,000
for power plant improvements Two
million dollars is appropriated for COM
pleting the dry dock at Norfolk and
large sums are appropriated for enlarge
ments and improvements at other sta
tions, including so,50O.OO0 for the naval
operating base at Hampton Roads