Evening star., 1938-01-05
NAVAL EXPANSION
due TO BEGIN SOON
Roosevelt May Send Mes
sage Shortly on New Build
ing Program.
BACKGROUND

NY IVSl 0tts
BACKGROUND
President Roosevelt indicated a
week ago that his "groDing con-
cern" ouer international conditions
might prompt him to ask for more
napdl armament than contem-
plated in the budget Americas
armament expenditures OF about
81 ,000, 100000 annually for past
three years represents less than
one-eighth OF this country's total
expenditures. Other tporld poWers
deuotc much larger proportions of
their national budget to armament.
By TIE Associated Press.
White House callers reported today
President Roosevelt would send a spe-
cial message to Congress very soon
suggesting new Navy building pro-
gram supplemental to the 1s ships pro-
vided for in the regular budget.
The callers, including Navy officials
and congressional leaders, said the ex-
tent of the new program and the types
of vessels have not been agreed upon.
One expressed the opinion the pro-
gram might require new legislation.
Those included in the conference
were Charles Edison. assistant secre-
tary of the Navy: Admiral William D.
Leahy, chief of naval operations. and
congressional leaders.
Admiral Leahy and Mr.. Edison met
briefly with the President alone and
then remained for the conference with
the congressional leaders.
The latter group included Chairman
Taylor of the House Appropriations
Committee, Vinson of the House Naval
Committee, and Umstead of the Naval
Subcommittee Of the House Appro-
priations group.
Basis for Forecast.
officials based their forecast of an
early order to 60 ahead with the
supplemental building program on
the fact the House Appropriations
Committee was about to take up the
naval appropriation bill.
In recent letter to Representative
Taylor. announcing regular budget
plans for construction of new bal
tleships and is lesser craft, the Presi-
dent said growing concern" over
international conditions might prompt
him to ask for even more naval
armaments.
Meanwhile, in his budget message,
President Roosevelt proposed a record
peace-time national defense budget
of 1891 5000 but said world con-
ditions" might necessitate asking still
more money.
Increase of $54,S47,0O0.
Mr.. Roosevelt requested 1888 ,623 400
in new funds for both the Army and
Navy, representing an increase of
S54,847, 900 over regular appropria-
tions for the current fiscal year end
ing June so. which constituted the
previous high mark In peacetime de-
fense outlay.
OF this sum $569, 1927, 400 was set
aside for the Navy and $41s, ,7s6, 900
for the Army. The rest Of the budget
total will come from emergency funds
already appropriated but as yet unal-
located to national defense purposes.
Increase in ships, men and sup
plies and Improvement of the gen.
eral operating efficiency Of fleet and
shore stations constitute the princi-
pal items of the Navy budget. Out
standing IN the Army estimate is an
addition Of s811,725 for strengthening
coast defense of the continental
United States, Panama and Hawaii.
Various bureaus in the Navy De-
partment will beneft materially II
Congress approves the Presidents
estimates. The bureau Of Navigation
fund would be increased from $l4..
325,3S0 to $14,4e3, ,i27, the Bureau Of
Engineering from $22, ,0s0, 800 to s25,-
$4,000, the Bureau Of Construction
and Repair from $l9,45s,500 to $21,-
546, 900, the Bureau Of Ordance from
81, ,429,800 to s26, $50, 900, the Bureau
Of Supplies and Accounts from $780,
1885, 1886 to $232, 1896, 900, the Bureau OF
Yards and Docks from $S,0l5,958 ia
So. 500, 900, while the Marine Corpl
figures Jump from $2e, e,737,71s to $2s,-
013, $50.
The Naval Research Laboratory q
Bellevue, D. C., estimate D advanced
from the present $4,000 to $33s. 900
n