The Washington times., 1922-04-09
$500, 100000 Slash
Is Urged in Budget
For u. 8. Sea Forces
BY A. o. HAYWARD, e.
International News Service.

Disrsgardins the demands and
tnsistent appeals of President Hard
ing and Secretary of the Navy
DENLY, the House Appropriations
Committee. in a bill laid before tho
House aast night, recommended a
slash of nearly 5000 900 900 In the
Navy Departments estimates for
the coming fiscal year and pro-
vfded for a reduction in the navy's
enlisted personnel from 1o1 900 to
$1,000.
The bill carries a total of $685.
x24,0O0, which members of the COM
mittee declare is sufficient to main
tain the navy at the strength au-
thorized by the $50 ratio OF the
Washington conference.
Provides for $1,000 Men.
The reduced personnel is figured
on a basis of $4,000 men and 1000
apprentices. 1t is estimated 50, 900
men will be needed for the navy
sf1oat and 1900, including appren-
tices. for shore duty.
Reduction in the navy's officer
force is provided for by stopping ac-
tive service pay for sss reserve Of
ficers now on the active list and
refusing to issue commissions to 335
of the 636 graduates of this years
Naval Academy class.
The total appropriation carried in
the bill for the fiscal year 1929
is s181 900 900 less than that given
the navy during the present fiscal
year and $193, 900 900 less than the
amount asked by Secretary DENLY.
Congressman Kelley of Michigan,
chairman OF the subcommittee which
framed the bill, said It was possible
10 make heavy reductions without
disturbing the b-5-3 ratio estab-
tished by the naval limitation
treaty. Under that agreement, he
explained, the navy can stop work
on fourteen capital ships now build.
ing, scrap fifteen other capital ships
of the pre-dreadnaught type, lay
up surplus destroyers Eot required
In connection with the eighteen bat
tleships afloat, eliminate 254 ves-
sells, including eagle boats, sub
chasers, yachts, motor-boats and
tugs of no military value.
Allows for 103 Destroyers.
Kelley said the bill carries funds
for a sufficient personnel to keep in
full commission 103 destroyers.
s'This policy" he said, will save
the enormous expense OF personnel,
fuel oil, repairs and upkeep of this
great fleet of surplus vessels. We
have given the navy all the destroy
ers II requested should be kept in
full commission"
Funds authorized by the bill, he
said, will provide personnel for the
treaty navy OF eighteen capital ships
in full commission with as large a
complement of men as now carried.
103 destroyers, eighty-four sub
marines, and all cruisers, oilers,
tenders, airplane carriers. ammuni.
tion ships, Golfers storCships and
every other auxiliary required to
make the eighteen capital ship fleet
complete, well rounded out, proper
ly manned and officered.
Kelley figured out that the pend
ing bill makes pay provisions for
$1,000 officers, enlisted men.
marines. students and midshipmen.
Great Britain has made provision in
her estimates for next year for n
total of $500. The total appropria-
ton by the United States is $233, ,224,-
900, that by Great Britain is 1884,
100000. He estimates that Japan
viii not have in excess of 10000
men in her navy.
The bill proposes a cut In the
R1srine corps enlisted men from
f0,sb0 to 1880, but provision Is
made for e42 officers as at present.