Evening star., 1924-12-14

ers, and these powers by the expan-
sion of their navies can virtually de-
termine the extent to which we must
build up our Navy If we are to main
tain the ratio"
Conflicting reports that have come
from varying sources as to what
should or should not be done with
respect to the Navy are regarded by
some members of both the House and
Senate as making necessary a thor
ough-going investigation by Con-
gress before additional money Is ap-
propriated for modernization or new
construction.
Such an investigation will be pro-
posed before the Senate naval COM
mittee next Tuesday by Senator King,
Democrat, Utah, who will urge that
Congress does not have sufficient in
formation for 1T to outline COM
prehensive plan for the Navy or Tor
future naval development. Some of
the things he would have Congress
inquire into are:
Why the 5-5-3 naval ratio treaty
has not been lived up to.
Whether Great Britain and Japan
have altered gun elevations upon
capital ships.
To study Types Of Craft.
Whether any American battleships
are obsolescent or whether they are
in condition justifying the spending
of millions on them in repairs.
AS to the number of submarines,
cruisers, airplane carriers and other
auxiliaries necessary to balance the
fighting fleet.
AS to the number and types of air
planes required and whether there
should be cooperation in designing
and construction between the Army
and Navy. .-------- ~
Der of naval bases.
AS to the plans. Of the Navy for the
protection of the Philippines and
Guam.
whether the Naval College and the
general board have projected a
rational plan of naval development.
Whether the Government should
construct its own warships in Its own
yards or depend upon private builders.
whether the present method of pro-
motion in the Navy is wise and
whether It has affected the morale Of
the Navy.
The cause Of SO many designations
Of officers and desertions of enlisted
men from the Navy.
Why with an expenditure OF from
s300, 100000 to $400, ,000, 900 annually on
not In as good condition as 1t was
before such large expenditures were
inaugufated.
For the fiscal year 1925, exclusive
of the amount which would be re-
ouired to start the 2o-year building
program, Secretary Wilbur's report
said, $37,361,500 should be expended
to carry out the work already author
lied by Congress. This proposed ex-
penditure would include $23,8s4,00 to
complete two aircraft carriers and
fleet submarines under construction
and to- provide half of the $26,s36,00
requireosAp modernize six battleships,
AFFORD underwater projections to
seven others and construct six river
gunboats.
Eight Cruisers Asked.
In order that the treaty ratio for
capital ships be attained In all types
Of combat craft, the report said, the
eight light cruisers already author
ICED should be started In the fiscal
year 1926, and four additional light
cruisers in 1927.
Five fleet submarines already au-
thorized, one aircraft carrier. and one
floating drydock. not yet authorised"
1t added, should be authorized and
commenced in the fiscal year 1926"
"The cost of the eight cruisers pro-
vided for" the report continued, will
be about t16.6oo. 900 apiece; the sub
marines about $6,000,000 apiece; one
aircraft carrier, $23, 900, 900; ono float
ing drydock. $7,5O0.00o: a grand total
Of 1892, 500, 900, Of which amount $62.-
100000 should be available for the
first year. To this should be added
the cost of aircraft. about 100000 900,
for the first year"