Evening journal., 1921-11-14
SBO,OOO,OOO
NAVY SAVING
Acceptance of Hughes Pro-
posal Would Mean Great
Economic Gain
CUT PERSONNEL
TO ONE-HALF

WASHINGTON. Nov. 14-Ameri-
can taxpayers will save nearly
three-quarters OF billion dollars
within the next three years II the
navy building program is scrapped.
and the navy reduced to eighteen
capital ships 100000 tons OF auxil-
iary craft and 10000 tons OF sub
marines in accordance with secre-
iary Hughes limitation proposal
now before the Armament Confer
ence
Although navy experts have ad-
vanced no figures 10 accompany the
pronosal or to show what the cost Of
the abbreviated navy would be
either annually or over a period Of
years members OF Congress. famil-
lar with navy expenditures do not
hosi tate to offer estimates which in
dicatr the startling effect in dollars
and cents the reduction will bring.
It, would cost the government
nearly S400.000.O 600 to finish the
building program. now less than
half completed at an expenditure Of
S33TO0o. 600. and the money would
hava 10 be appropriated at a greater
ratcsthan is now being done II the
prorzram IS completed in 1924. the
year, set for finishing the job. Only
$50, GOO 900 was appropriated for
+ construction during the present fis-
cal year although the Navy Depart
mcnr-asked Congress for consider
ably more.
The further saving would be In
navy operation and maintenance
The reduction In these items under
the new proposal Is estimated at
$3.50. 10000 annually or about one
half OF the amount now expended
for upkeep. The navy appropriation
for the present fiscal year. independ-
ent Of a nitem OF $50. 600 600 for
new construction. was 100000. 600.
The Congressional view OF the sit-
uation was expressed by Representa-
tive Kelly. OF Michigan. chairman
. OF the Appropriation Subcommittee
OF the House Naval Affairs Commit
tee. Mr.. Kelly exhibited little pa
f tience to the general navy opinion
that the present personnel OF the
navy amounting to. 105,0 900 would
4 be necessary to man the warships
\ retained by the United States. The
navy view that the big personnel
would or should be maintained is
+ based upon the assumption that all
Z the ships left in the navy would be
completely manned and in opera
ton.
That assumption, Mr.. Kelly point-
ed out today, is not necessarily true.
Al present many ships OF the navy
are not fully manned and in time OF
peace there is no reason that they
should be, particularly when the
United States has an adequate naval
/ aserve built up curing the war he
said
n the limitation program is
1 agreed upon Mr.. Kelly believes that
naval appropriations for the next
fiscal year will be reduced $3.50, O00.-
600 or $500. 900. 900; the navy per-
sonnel cut in half or reduced to So |
1000 men, and the numbers at the /
Naval Academy at Annapolis re- (
duced gradually to about 900 mid [
.shipmen, or two for every Congress-
man as before the war. Members
Of Congress now are entitled to keep
fve men in the Academy and the I
cadet battalion numbers more than /
/ 1000
There Is no doubt but that the
4 scrapping OF Americas fifteen sec
4 ond-line battleships and number
OF auxiliary craft, largely destroy
ers. as called for in Mr.. Hughes
a program. will mean a great reduc-
"A ton In navy personnel" said Mr
H Kelly. congress will see that the
q big force OF los, 5,o0O,men Is cut down
"a n the navy is reduced. Eighteen
81 capital ships. II fully manned, would
zR take no more than 5000 men. and
81 the other vessels probably not more
8 than 5000. A force OF So 900 men
"a should be adequate TO man the navy
"a provided by Mr.. Hughes proposal.
Il "As for expenditures. Congress
"A should be able TO cut them in half.
# BY that 7 mean that the amount ap-
u propriafed this year. Independent OF
81 ne 500. 600. 900 for building. should
81 be reduced one-haif I think Con-
Eress will regard s15o.00o. 900 a rea-
sonable amount for the annual navy
i budget II the plan OF curtailment is
N sgreed upon.
4 "Of course. the appropriation for
Il construction viii cease; at least. as
b an appropriation for new building:
n although during the first year or
wo OF the new program appropria-
q IONS may have TO be made TO settle
4 laimE resulting from the abandon
i nent OF construction and the ad-
nssment OF certain contracts with
q hiphuilders."