The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-02-04
ASKS FOR STATUS OF
SHIP CONSTRUCTION
Work on All Capital Ships in
Course of Construction May
Be Stopped in Few Days.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-Prepara-
tory to a suspension OF work on the
American capital ships to be scrapped
under the naval treaty. President
Harding has asked Secretary DENLY
to provide him Immediately with full
information as to the status OF the
ships under construction.
Although the president does not ex-
pect TO take any affirmative steps to-
ward scrapping the ships until all the
powers have ratified the treaty, 1t is
probable that there may be suspen-
sion of work on all OF the prescribed
vessels within a few days.
1t was said at the White House to-
day that Mr.. Harding expected to sub
nit the naval agreement and the other
treaties OF the arms conference to the
senate within a very few days after
they are signed. He has not decided
whether to take them to the capitol
in person.
Plans OF the navy department, so far
as known, are for suspension of con-
struction work on those ships to be
scrapped under the naval limitation
treaty pending ratification OF the
treaty. Contracts for the building Of
the vessels would not be cancelled, IT
was indicated until the limitation pact
became effective.
Included In the ships under con-
struction and not to be completed un-
der the treaty are the six 10000 ton
battleships and four OF the six battle
cruisers. One ship of the West Vir-
ginia class, now virtually completed.
also is to be destroyed as a fighting
unit, although this will not be done
until the limitations treaty is in ef-
feet.
Two or the six battle cruisers are
10 be converted into airplane carriers,
a provision to that effect having been
made in the treaty in the. separate
item authorizing the retention OF not
more than two vessels of $4,000 tons
each for the purpose.
Final decision has not been made by
the navy department as yet as to
which two OF the West Virginia class
battleships under construction are 70
be retained. The original committee
agreement in the discussion between
the American, British and japanese
delegations. mentioned the Colorado
and washington as the ships TO be re-
tanned by the United states, as the
equivalent to the retention by Japan
az tho Mutsu 1t seems more prob
able. however, that the West Virginia
win be retained and the Washingtoi
sorapped as some naval experts have
figured that a saving OF more than
half a million dollars would be made
in the expense OF completion in thai
case.
Conversion Of the two selected bat
Ito cruisers into airplane carrier;
probably cannot be undertaken unit.
the treaty has been ratified so that
work on all six of these vessels prob
ably will be Mt a standstill until the
treaty has been put through the sem
ate.
II has been indicated however, that
the department might seek authority
OF congress TO transfer sums now
available for tho completion of new
battleships and battle cruisers TO the
construction OF submarines and aux
iliary crafts in the building program
which are not affected by the treaty
Among THESE are tnS ten SCOub thuiSCas
for which the department. recently
sought authority TO increase the cost
due TO the failure of building mater
ials to have dropped in price to the
extent anticipated when the original
estimates were submitted.
Suspension OF work on capital ships
rather than cancellation of contracts,
II was said today at the navy depart
ment. probably would increase the cost
OF the government of the settlement
Of claims OF contractors when the final
adjustment is made for the breaking
up OF these vessels. This increase
would not be equal, however, it was
said, TO the expenditures necessary if
work Is to be continued on the ships
during the time the treaty is under
consideration for ratification. The
rate OF expenditure construction now
averages about s5.oo0.ooO month.