New-York tribune., 1922-02-20
,Junking of Old
" arships Will
Save Millions
Congress Won't Vote Dollar
for Vessels That Cannot
Aid National Defense. Saws
subcommittee Chairman
Big Slash in Budget
Kelley Predicts Navy Can
Get Along With Only Y
Desiroyers in Operation

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (By The As
sociated Press).-Congress will not
spend one dollar for the upkeep next
year Of old warships that arc unable
to contribute to national defence.
Chairman Kelley. of the sub commit
tee On appropriations which Will frame
the new bill, announced to-day.
Opposing the appropriation of $3.50
100000 asked for by Secretary Denby
Chairman Kelley declined to indicate
how much might be cut from the Secre
tary's estimate. By carrying out his
program of "junking Worthless YES
sells, 1t was intimated by the chair
mans associates. however, that the
figure would be reduced to $4,000 900
or possibly 5000 900, 600
I believe that Congress Will be will
ing to furnish the necessary mon aud
money for that part of tho navy which
has military value Mr.. Kelley de
cared. But there are scores Of ships
costing millions every year which are
worthless. | am not going to vote to
keep these old ships in commission. nor
will Congress, unless it can be shown
that they can contribute to our national
defence
Annapolis Class Must Go
Asked how he stood OH the question
OF turning the $40 members Of the
FIRST class at Annapolis back to civil
life in June, Mr.. Kelley said:
ut may be hard, but the first class
will not be commissioned. We will
have to be conservative in cutting the
officer personnel, and in this emergency
We cannos swap men for boys. Some of
the first class may be taken in, to give
sprinkling of fresh life and energy.
but with the wholesale reductions nee
essary the class will have to go Its
members have received fnc educa-
ton, they are ready for the struggle of
life and their loss will be more senti-
mental than fnancial'
The impression was gained from the
chairman that he believes a larger
number Of destroyers could be laid up
;hsn the 100 mentioned by the Secre-
,ary of the Navy.
Keep Only Seventy-two Destroyers
"The old rule called fer four DESTROY
ors for each battleship," he said. "We
are to have ei,hteen battleships. and
by applying this rule we might get
along with sevcnty-two destroyers in
active comm ission.'
ms was lNe NUMBER mentioned last
week by Chairman Butler of the Naval
Committee as sufficient, in his opinion.
AN enormous saving can be effected
n iunkiug old and Worthless ships.
especially some of the older cruisers.n
said Mr. Kelley. "Take the old Olvm-
pla for example. Last year the cost of
her operation was Sl,179 000 There is
hns sentimental demand to save her.
but she ought TO be put some place
H1sfe there Will be no such tax burden.
me old cruiser Brooklyn, commits
aoned IN 1896, cost 100000 last year,
anu the Rochester, commissioned in
Is95, cost $1,154,0oO.
Would Tie Up Old Hulks
Just go on down the line and YOU
Rlll find other old hulks costing mil
IONS of dollars that are not worth a
tinker's dam for defense purposes.
These old craft with small guns arc
back numbers. They can serve no use
iql training purposes. We have got to
lie them up"
NJ. Kelley said, however, he wanted
to emphasize that there would be no
ruthless cutting of appropriations, and
mat new ships which really make up
the treaty navy would be kept in full
commission. The enlisted personnel
total would depend, he said, upon the
number Of ancient ships rclcgated to
the Junk heap.
There will be no now construction
nsxt year Mr.. Kelley said. "but $40
Voo'oOO VII be needed to complete
sn'ps allotted b.. the treaty"