Evening star., 1933-02-20

the current year, s51 ,063, 900 was avail
able for construction. One eighth-ilich
gun 10,000-ton cruiser, however, can-
not be laid down until January l, 1895. |
In hearings before it completed its
recommendation, the committee heard
this from Secretary Adams:
While believing in every reasonable
effort to secure the blessings Of peace
by treaty agreements. I believe such
agreements will be facilitated and Amer-t
ica's voice have weight largely in pro-
portion TO her strength on the sea-
Fleets Are Compared.
Adams also reviewed for tn commits
tee the condition of the American Navy
as compared with Great Britain aDdl
Japan. I
OF the is United States battleships.
he said, only ii are in full commission,
while Great Britain has IA in that
class. All OF Japan's 10 capital ships,
he said. are fully manned.
Here are some other comparisons in
his testimony:
The United States has three aircraft
carriers in commission, Great Britain
three in full and three in reserve COM
mission and Japan four in full.
Nine United States heavy cruisers are
In full commission; Great Britain has II
such and Japan II.
The United States has 10 light crliis-
ers; Great Britain rs and Japan 20. ,
Japan has "a destroyer leaders fully
manned: Great Britain 10 in full and g
in reserve commission, and the United
States has none.
OF Great Britain's 121 destrcyers, IS
are in full commission; Japan has 80
fully manned and the United States "a
in full commission.
OF Americas 81 submarines, AZ are
in full commission of Great Britain's
50, A are in commi. sion, while 81
japanese submarines ara fully manned.
The committee cverruSed President
Hoover,s recommendation for a de-
crease in Marine Corps enlisted Nper-
sonnel to 13,600 and provided for
15.343.
The committee said the rotating plan
Of operation, whereby certain ships are
withdrawn from service to permit
othsrs to operate, will be expanded
during the fiscal year 1884 to include
battleships and cruisers"
New vessels requiring $40 enlisted
men to man them, the report said, wiz
necessitate the expansion. These new
vessels include four new 8-inch-g1nl
cruisers, the new airplane carrie1
Ranger. two submarines and two de.
stroyers.
Top flight pay for officers was fixed
at $1,420 a year, whereas up until last
year it was so per cent of the base pay,
permitting rear admirals of the upper
grade to receive $4,000 additional a.
year.
The committee said that on July
the Navy would have $50 useful planes.
still 40 short of the five-year expansion
plan that ended last year, but that the
new dirigible Macon would be placed
IN commission. The Navy has $50
aviators, including commissioned and
non commissioned officers, and the Ma
rine Corps 127.
Admiral Pratt Praised.
Recommendation was made for legis-
lation to provide for the retention Of
Admiral William v. Pratt, chief of naval
operations, at the grade of rear admiral
on active status after he retires March
because of age and AZ years of service.
ut seems to the committee that be-
cause of our present financial plight, IL
for no other reason, the country and
the Navy will continue to need the
counsel of Admiral Pratt" the commit
tee said Whether or not he can ba
prevailed upon to remain in active serv-
ice, the committee is not advised"
1t added "he has worked and CO.
operated in every way consistent and
practicable to reduce Navy costs to the
utmost without seriously impairing the
effectiveness OF the forces afioat."