The Washington times., 1930-10-09
HOOVER ORDERS
Sl0,000,0Q0
NAVY GUT
Reduction Is Equivalent to
Loss Of 12 Heavy Cruisers;
Reorganization Next Step

Greeted as a gesture of conf
dence in an international desire
for peace, the reorganization plar
of the Navy's new chief of opera
ticn, Admiral William v. Pratt.
went into effect today.
Embracing sweeping changes
and a slash in destroyer and Sub.
marine tonnage, the plan was
outlined by Pratt as designed
primarily to provide the United
States with an efficient nava4
nucleus and effect financial saw
ings.
120,0OO.TON CUT
Officials here pointed out, how
ever, the plan virtually trimmed
the Navy to London Treaty pat
tern. 1t will cut the Navy ap-
proximately 10000 tons, officials
announced, and effect a reduction
of 4,8O0 enlisted men.
The reorganization provided tor
reductions from above treaty
limits to below them in both The
destroyer and submarine cate
gories.
Pratt, who was chief adviser to
the American delegation at the
London conference out of whicn
the treaty evolved, appeared be.
fore the Senate committees con.
sidering the pact and pointed out
that reduction in these categor'es
to treaty limits would not seriously
injure the. fighting strength Of
the United States Navy.
New Atlantic Squadron
The scheme contemplaSes tha
formation Of a new Atlantic
squadron of two battleships. the
Arkansas and Wyoming, and two
destroyer divisions, each made up
Of four destroyers, and deconlnis.
sioning of 25 submarines, l6 de-
stroyers and two light mine layers,
anC a general realignment OF alvi-
sions and flagships.
Navy experts estimated its
operation would save the Govern
ment So. 100000 in the fiscal year
1881. ending next July /, ana
$7,758,949 the succeeding year.
Secretary Of the Navy Adams
ordered the plan effective, ana
endorsed ) it as move towards
economy and efficiency. He said:
"AdmfraI Pratt, the new
chief of operations, has de.
velOped a plan Of operation
which has been approved by
the various chiefs of bureaus
i'm the department and which
would seem to be more efficient
and, incidentally, save more
money. The plan will go into
effect as soon as practicable"
While orders were issued for
immediate operation of the new
plan, 1t was announced it will
not be complete until the fleets
concentration off Panama for
winter r1aneuvers.
Cut from Six to Four
All destroyer divisions will be
cut from six to four, making
available the craft for the new
Atlantic training fleet and for
decommissioning.
When decommissioning is &C.
complished, naval experts estt-
mated this country would have
93,426 standard treaty tons Of
destroyers in commission. The
treaty authorized 10000 tons of
,destroyers If desir ed. Pratt
pointed out that requirements in
the future might increase these
figures.
The new submarine organiza.
ton was termed a continuance
of the Navy's submarine disposal
schedule.
It will leave SIS submarines Of
51,050 tons in commission.
Under the treaty the United
States is allowed maximum OF
52,700 tons of submarines.
Plane Carrier Moved
Battleship and cruiser strength
will not be affected by the new
program, but one aircraft car.
rier, the Langley, will be moved
from the East to the West Coast.
The Atlantic training squadron
is counted on by Pratt to take
the burden of reserve and mid
shipmar1 training off the scout.
ing fleets. l.