The Washington herald., 1919-02-01
BILL FOR BIG NAVY
PASSES COMMITTEE
READY FOR HOUSE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

~'AANSLD NUN oENL.
undertake prior to July ], 1922, the
construction of the vessels enumerated
below:
All Latest improvements.
Ten first-class battleships, carry
ing as heavy armor and as power
ful armament as any vessels OF
their class, to have the highest
practicable speed and the greatest
desirable radius of action; two of
these at a cost, exclusive Of armor
and armament, not to exceed &2l,-
100000 each, to be begun as soon as
practicable, subject to the limita-
ton herein.
Ten scout cruisers. carrying
)suitable protection and armament
suited TO their size and type. to
have the highest practicable speed
and greatest desirable radius of ac-
ton; two to cost, exclusive of armor
and ornament, not to exceed 5000
600 each. to be begun as soon as
practicable, subject to the imita-
tions herein.
And for the purpose of further
increasing the naval establishment
of the United States. in accordance
with the latest improvements in the
construction of ships, and in the
armor and armament therefor, the
Secretary of the Navy is hereby d.
rected TO submit to Congress on the
first Monday in December next
general description of such addition-
al vessels as may be needed TO COM
plete and round out the navy OF
the United States. Types and num-
bers shall be recommended after full
consideration and analysis of recent
war experience, and particular at
tention shall be given TO airplane
carriers and any other new types
developed during the war or shown
to be necessary by the aforesaid
war experience.
Depends on Peace Conference
Provided, if at any time before the
construction authorized this act shall
have been contracted for. there shall
have been established with the COOP
Grafton OF the United States Of Amer
ica any tribunal of tribunals compe-
tent to secure peaceful determination
OF international disputes, and which
shall render unnecessary the mainte-
nance of competitive arnaments, then
and in that case such naval expendi-
lures as may be consistent with the
engagements made by the establish
ment of said tribunal or tribunals,
may be suspended when so ordered by
the President OF the United States.
and no contracts for the construction
of the vessels herein authorized shall
be entered into prior to February !,
1920"
II was reported about the Capitol
that the provisions directing that no
contracts be let before February l,
1920, and giving the President power to
suspend construction were incorpor-
ated in the bill at the cabled sug-
gestion of President Wilson. This
could not be confirmed, however.
Members Of the committee declined
to discuss the subject
OF the $50. .0Oo,0oO carried in the bill,
about S17O.OOO.OO0 is for construction.
The greater proportion Of this amount
is for continuation OF the work au-
thorized in the 1916 three-year pro-
gram. In view OF the fact that only
five months of the fiscal year of 1920
construction may be let, and the fur
ther fact that II is not believed that
there will be available facilities for
starting any considerable amount of
new work, only a nominal sum will be
required for preliminary work during
1920
An important amendment adopted