Evening star., 1923-08-26
NAVY

Hopes for a peaceful settlement OF
the controversy between the Navy
and the bureau OF the budget over the
been given by the developments OF
the week
With finish fight against the
budgets suggested cut of $73 900, 900 in
prospect Assistant Secretary Roose-
Welt instructed all bureaus to pre-
pare condensed statements showing
just what effect the proposed slash
would have. These statements have
been completed, and. save for minor
economies. the original figures sub
mitted by the department stand as
T. the minimum on which the Navy can
carry on next year.
In his two conferences with Presi-
dent Coolidge last week the ACTIN.
Secretary laid the Nays case before
him, pointing out the disastrous ef-
feet such drastic slashing would have
and the utter impos ssibility % main
tanning the Navy at anyth'A even
approSimating treaty strength under
the handicap the buGset instructions
would impose.
This week the estimates will be re-
submitted to the director of the
budget. and with them will GO
working chart OF the statements pre-
While naval officials are all set to
make finish night II necessary. and
will stand pat on their original esti-
mates. there is an impression in.serv-
Ice circles that 1t the rehearinE d.
rector Lord will again take up the
issue with an open mind.
1t is pointed out that in his letter
returning the estimates for revision
downward the tot;S cut recommended
and the items to be eliminated were
instructions We're given by the budget
as originally reported. This leaves
The controversy open for further ne
gotiatlons. 'and the department viii
try to demonstrate the pressing need
for the appropriation requested, which
is only slightly larger than the last.
Just how tar the President will go in
supporting the Navy's demands Is not
known. but. like President Harding
he is known to stand firmly for an
adequate Navy. and, it is believed In
service circles, will take stand in
favor OF the maintenance Of the
treaty Navy.
One phase Of the controversy here
tofore untouched has also been called
to the Presidents attention. Budget
figures show that q total appropria-
tion of $294,000.000 was made for the
Navy for the current year, whereas
the actual amount made available
by Congress last time reached a total
made up by supplementary appro-
priations or $20.0o0.000 from the
small stores fund and $4,000. 900
from the Navy supply account. the
funds being converted for new con-
structIon work. Stripped OF all cam
outage. therefore. the actual funds
available were only about $4,000, 900
less than the 1851 100000 originally
asked for.
This year in view of the expan-
sion Of the fleet necessitating addi-
tional expenditures. the estimates
first submitted totalled 1856, 900. 900.
approximately, the increase sought
being principally for new construc-
tion believed urgently necessary and
for an additional 5000 enlisted men.
The cut suggested by the budget Of
S73,oo0,000 would bring the annual
appropriation down to $292,oo0.o00,
making an actual reduction from the
amount being spent this year of
$34.0oo.ooo.
sss.ooo.ooo is to be used for contin-
uing the work on the ships under
construction, the rest of the cruisers
of the Omaha class. the two. air.
plane carriers and other ships; s28.-
100000 asked for is to be used in