Evening star., 1937-01-01
MORE BUILDING
EXPECTED IN NAVY
Construction Probably to Be
Begun on Two Capital
Ships.

The Navy anticipates added con-
struction in 1887 that will carry 1t
forward to the goal of "A treaty navy
by 1872" Secretary Swanson says.
Construction probably will be be-
gun on two capital ships as replace
ments for over-age vessels. Under
the present situation these ships are
ito be laid down only in the event
that capital ship replacement con-
struction is commenced by any one
of the other signatories to the London
treaty of 1890"
Particularly does the service re-
uuire an adequate auxiliary building
program that will insure up-to-date
vessels-oilers, supply craft, hospital
ships, etc.-that will be able to keep
pace with the fleet and superSede the
present tagging vessels that serve the
warships. If Congress and President
Roosevelt so will, new Navy Depart
ment Building will be in order to re-
place the present War-built structure
in Potomac Park that has been doing
service for nearly 20 years. The Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission has already made pro-
vision for a new Navy Department
Building in the vicinity of New York
and Virginia avenues.
Little Shore Work in Sight.
Modernization of some craft will
be sought during the coming year.
No extensive shore establishment pro-
gram is in sight, unless Congress
should appropriate funds, in the emer-
gency or other category, to make a
squirt possible.
The program of constructing IL
new destroyers and half dozen new
submarines probably will be adhered
TO during the calendar year 1887, al
though the decision to construct two
new battleShips will be determining
factor in this. Cruisers, deStroyers
and submarines are now in varying
stages of construction as the Navy
pushes its building program ahead in
The Government-owned navy yards
and in private shipyards.
officers and enlisted men Of the feet
are making their preparations now
for holding the annual maneuvers this
coming year in the Hawaiian area
This will be one Of the big events OF
the year afloat, and details for these
are now being worked up in the Navy
Department. During the past II
months the fleet maneuvers were held
IN Western Central American waters
Strikes and other causes retarded
the Navy's construction program in
private Shipyards during the year
that has just gone. The service made
progress in the acquiring of new
planes for service with the feet and
for Naval ReserviSts.
Naval Reserve Conference.
One of the outstanding events OF
the department was the holding of the
Naval Reserve Conference, out OF
which officials hope will come benefi-
cial legislation that will be enacted
by the coming Congress.
Looking back over the past year,
Secretary Swanson Is able to declare
that the Navy is upon a high plane
in efficiency, in spirit and in co-ordi-
mated effort"
The passing of the merchant ma
rine act during the year Is regarded
by naval officials as great step for
ward. In time Of war and national
emergency the American merchant
marine becomes a vital part Of the
national defense program and-as
during the World War-the Navy is
empowered to take over any vessels
1t requires to safeguard the Nation
Altogether, taking stock OF 1886
naval officials assert that the Navy
has made notable progress and that,
while there are many pressing re-
ouirements, such as the construction
of a model testing basin. both for
naval vessels and the merchant mas
rlne. Father Time has treated the serr.
ice kindly recently.