Evening star., 1928-03-21
NAVAL .
BILL IS REPORTED.
Measure Is Largest Since
Arms Limitation ParIey.
20,384,00O Increase.
Bv the Associated Press.

6N tue aSSDN1ahSu EFesS
Proposing the largest expenditure for
the naval establishment since the WASH
ington limitations conference, the an
nual Navy Department supply blu was
reported to the House today by its ap-
propriations committee.
The measures total. $3.50, 1870, 900. was
an increase of s20.3S4.o00 above cur
rent funds, but decrease of sl,288. 900
below budget recommendations.
The committee report, drafted by
Representative French. Republican,
Idaho, said that the increase was
brought about chiefly by the mount
ing costs of naval aviation" and also
by the fact that all eight of the 10000
ton cruisers authorized in 1924 will be
under construction at one time"
The committee can vision no pros
pect of declining naval costs IN the i'm
mediate future" the report added. IN
deed, all indications point to an ap-
preciable and immediate upward trend"
The l6 new warship- pro-
gram recently approved by the House.
aviation. modernization Of capital ships.
and the possibility OF replacement OF
existing ships several years hence were
referred 10 as prospective causes OF In
creased appropriations.
Some Economies Foreseen.
The report said that some economies
could be effected. including the decom-
miSsioning Of ships admittedly Of no
military valueg" and added:
The point is. however, that the an
nual outlayS confronting US are of such
magnitude that the committee feels
called upon TO suggest that we
cannot permit ourselves TO be domi-
mated wholly by the service point OF
view: that We must pause TO consider
the need for Federal funds in other
directions, and that we must weigh
with increasing care the propositions
that come TO us which involve addi-
tional naval expenditures.
For heavier-than-air aviation the bill
allotted $3l ,3l5 900, an increase Of sli,-
$1,000, plus a contract authorization
Of $4,000, 900. This would provide for
The delivery OF 27l new planes during
the year i92e-29. In addition, 50 900,
900 was recommended 10 start work on
two new dirigibles.
To complete the eight cruisers and
Two V-type submarines. all of which
are expected TO be finished by 1880
an appropriation Of 100000 an in
crease OF $I3,500. 900, was recommended
Marine Corps Given Increase.
The Marine Corps received a total
allotment Of $24 1856, 600, or 81, ,i04, 600
above current funds. The report did
not say whether any or all Of this in
crease was necessitated by the sending
Of Marines 10 Nicaragua and China
The appropriation would provide fol
continuing the corps at It's present size
$4,000 men and l.i76 officers.
The committee, however. did say tina
| 1884 Marines are on foreign shor'
duty In connection With carrying ou
our national policies" and that there
I was no expeditiOnary force under train
. Ing and available for active service IL
al emergency either Of peace or war.
Regarding submarine disasters. III
/ committee said II had been promptes
/ by the tragic E-4 crash 10 conduct ex
/ haustiye inquiry into possible ways o
building or equipping the under~se;
/ craft 10 lessen the dangers, and tha
/ 500 900 had been provided for the Nav.
continuing safety device work Beside
/ the present salvage ships Falcon ant
Wldgeon, the report said that tn
! Ortolan and two other vessels would b
! assigned 10 such work. thus providing
q salvage snip each for the Atlantic
/ Canal Zone, Pacific Coast, Hawaiian ant
/ Philippine areas.
4. The committee specifically aliotte'
( s255 $50 of the 81 COS ,433 given 10 IN
Naval Academy 10 increase from tife
W tour the number of appointment
each member Of Congress may make
This would increase the possible numbe
u ngidshipmen At Annapolis from ] III
10 2Il2 This recommendation Wa
made IL Was said 10 prevent a p0ssibi
shortage ia officers. a. aviation demand
yOtlid be heavy. and that on Eeptembe
30 last there we're actually 6,423 officers
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