The New York herald., 1922-02-20
CONGRESS TO DROP
WORTHLESS SHIPS
Will Not Give One Dollar for
Their Upkeep, Says Chair
man Kelley.
MILLIONS NOW WASTED
Cut of Denby's Estimate to
$210,O00,OO0 or $200,O00,-
900 Indicated in House.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 ASSOCIATED
Press) Congress will not spend one
dollar for the upkeep next year of old
warships that are unable to contribute
to national defense, Chairman Kelley
of the subcommittee on appropriations
which will frame the new bill announced
to-day.
Opposing the appropriation OF $780,
100000 asked for by Secretary DENLY,
Chairman Kelley declined 40 indicate
how much might be cut from the Secre-
tarys estimate. By carrying out his
program of 'junking worthless vessels"
it was intmated by the chairmans
associates. however, that the figure
would be reduced to 100000, ,0oO or pos
sibly 00,000,O00.
II believe that Congress will be willing
to furnish the necessary men and money
for that part of the navy which has
military value" Mr.. Kelley declared.
But there are scores of ships costing
millions every year which are worth
less. ! 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 de-
fense."
Dealing With Midshtpmcn.
Asked how he stood on the question
Of turning the $40 members of the first
class at Annapolis back to civil life In
June Mr.. Kelley said:
1T 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
cannot 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 reduction necessary
the class will have to go. Its members
have received a fine education, they are
ready for the struggle of life and their
loss will be more sentimental than finan-
cial"
The impression was gained from the
chairman that he believes a larger num-
Der of destroyers could be laid up than
the 100 mentioned by the Secretary of
the Navy.
THE old rule called for four de-
stroyers for each battleship," he said
I'VE are to have eighteen battleships,
and by applying this rule we might get
along with seventy-two destroyers in
active commission"
This was the number mentioned last
week by Chairman Butler of the Naval
Committee as sufficient. In his opinion.
Where Savings Can He Effected.
"An enormous saving can be effected
in junking old and worthless ships,
especially some OF the older cruisers"
said Mr.. Kelley. Take the old Olympia,
for example. Last year the cost of her
operation was s1,179,000. There Is a
fine sentimental demand to save her,
but she ought to be put some place
where there will be no such tax burden.
The old cruiser Brooklyn, commissioned
In 1896. cost $4,000 last year, and
the Rochester. commissioned in 1898,
cost sl.154.00o.
Just go down the line and you will
find other old hulks costing millions of
dollars that are not worth a tinker's
dam for defense purposes, These old
craft with small guns are back num-
bers; they can serve no useful training
purposes. We have got to tie them up"
Mr.. Kelley said. however. he wanted
to emphasize that there would be no
ruthless cutting of appropriations. and
that 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 relegated to
the junk heap.
There will be no new construction
next year." Mr.. Kelley said, ''but S40,-
600 900 will be needed to complete ships
allotted by the treaty"