Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1919-02-07
THE BIG NAVY
PROGRAM WINS
Unanimous Action Taken BY
House Committee
BILL CARRIES s75O.OOO,Coo
Reduction Because OF Difference
Among Experts over The Value OF
Battle cruisers-Ths Program
Is For The Three Years.

Washington. - The administration
policy OF vast naval expansion, unless
world disarmament becomes GER
tainty through international agree
ment at Paris. was approved by the
House Naval Committee in unani-
mously recommending "a new tmee-
year building program OF ten great
battleships and ten scout cruisers.
Four Democrats and two Repub'i-
cans were understood to have opposed
the program as originally outlined
but their approval was given after an
amendment was accepted providing
that work on the new SHIPS should nol
begin until after February 1, 1929 Ad-
ministratioa leaders said the vote was
an endorsement Of the program an
nounced by Secretary Daniels for an
American navy second to none, unless
limitations are imposed on all ma
tons by the Peace Conference. Should
an agreement for such limitations be
reached, the bill provides that the
President may stop construction at
his discretion.
While the program, as recommend
ed. does not authorize the six battle
cruisers and 13O other smaller craft
asked for by the department, it was
explained that 1t had decided to post
pone construction Of these vessels UNI
til naval experts could reach agree
ment as to their designs based Oh
experience gained in the war.
The agreement Of the committee
was reached at a long executive ses
sion, after which Chairman Padgett
snilingiy announced that the decision
had been unanimous.
Mr. Padgett said the completed
naval bill would carry a total Of s750,-
100000, Of which sum $3.50 600, 900
would be for ship construction.
Besides providing for the new build
ing program, the bill authorizes a
temporary naval force Of 225,000 men,
exclusive Of officers, and carries an
amendment by Representative Oliver.
of Alabama, directing that men who
enlisted in the Navy during the war
for the regular term of four years
shall be regarded as having enlisted
for the period Of the war, if they ap-
ply for such change of status before
next July l.
After the committees decision it
was learned that the Navy Genera
Board, headed by Rear Admiral
Fletcher, is studying the question OF
military characteristics of new ships
closely, but has net as yet reached
definite conclusions.
The one point on which there ap.
pears to be substantial agreement is
that no very radical departures in
battleship or battle cruiser design has
grown out Of the great struggle. The
engagements Of heavy craft were too
few to afford any clear.cut lessons. ii
was said, and the development of these
vessels continues to be largely on
theoretical lines.
The last American battleships au.
e-oA-ANA NIA < ANaAtnAdu ipI "a QlStkhEe-
ment of $4,000 tons, carrying twelve
16-inch guns in their main batteries
and having speed Of 20 knots.
The six battle cruisers for the navy
authorized in 1916 constitute the most
radical departure in naval design
made by any nation. They were de-
signed for speed Of 35 knots and to
carry eight 16-inch guns.
Some American officers favor de-
velopment Of a composite battle Graf.
combining the speed Of battle
cruiser with the guns and protection
of battleship. Others, however. point
out that to give a ship both the speed
and the guns and armor would require
a great increase in size, probably TO
nearly the 60,0O0-ton displacement, the
limit once set as the maximum craft
that could pass the Panama Canal
locks.