Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1922-03-03

all nationalities to get around
table and discuss their differences
before disastrous war has taken
place, rather than at the peace
table after millions of lives have
been lost and billions of treasure
have ben spent.
1t is humanity impossible to esti-
mate-and l might add, to overes-
timate-the moral benefits to the
world arising from this conference.
By moral benefits l mean its con-
tributions to a better understand
ing among the nations, and its con-
sequent inhibitions upon the possi-
bilities of another world war.
1t is likewise difficult to estimate
accurately the material benefits
which will accrue from the labors
Of this distinguished body of states
men. 1t Is difficult, because no one
can foretell to what extremes the
nations might have been led II q
halt had not been called in the
heart-breaking competition for huge
fleets of costly dreadnaughts.
1t is possible to estimate, how
ever. and with reasonable accuracy,
the immediate saving to the tax
payers Of the United States through
the inauguration of the Hughes
naval limitation program. Since
the memorable day when that pro-
gram was cast upon the world like
bombshell, experts have been CIV
ing their attention to this matter.
They estimate that approximately
five billions of dollars will be saved
to the taxpayers of this nation dur
ing the fifteen years Of the life of
the new naval treaty.
Let us see how this saving is to
be accomplished. Under the Hughes
plan, which has been accepted by
the five great naval powers, the
United States scraps 80 capital
ships. The cost of maintaining q
capital ship is placed by naval auth
oritites at three million dollars q
year. Upon the item Of mainten-
ance alone. therefore, there Is an
annual saving of $S0,000,0O0. In
the case Of the older capital ships
the cost of maintenance is reckoned
at something less than three million
dollars. but naval authorities assert
that the general overhead charges
which must be added. make ninety
million dollars = year a conserva-
tive figure.
Extended over a period of fifteen
years, the duration of the naval
treaty. and compounded at six pei
cent, this amount reaches the i'm
pressive total Of $2,089,4S0.548.
Under the same plan, the United
States scraps IS capital ships nov
under construction. The approxi
mate cost Of the modern capita
ship is $4O.00O,00O, making the to
completed, $520.000.000. 1t hal
been stated by Mr.. Hughes that tn,
United States already has expende;
approximately $330.000,00O on th'
ships under construction, which
compared with the cost Of complet
ing. shows a difference Of $4,000
900, or the amount saved by tn,
decision to scrap these ships. Fund
for meeting this obligation probabl.
would not be required Immediately
and therefore the staticians com
pound the amount at six per cen
over period of twelve years in
stead of fifteen. giving total o
$347,0S4,790.
The existing yards. docks an,
other shore establishments OF tn
United States are regarded as some
what below adquate for the navy a
its present strength They are
however, thought to be sufficien
for the reduced navy contemplate
. under the Hughes program. Nava
experts figure that at normal rat
, OF expansion OF the American navy
such as might have been expecte
II no limitation agreement had bee
reached. the appropriation Of shor
. tablishments would have to be In
q creased at least $10.000.000 a yea
: With the Hughes plan in operation
this $10,000.000 annually will b
saved. and comuted over perio
a Of Is years and compounded as b
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