Evening star., 1940-04-17
NavyWou|d Welcome
Disarmament When
War Ends, Stark Says
But in Meantime, the
1l% Expansion Should
Be Voted, Senators Told
BULLETIN.


The Senate approved s15,O0O,-
600 initial appropriation for
third set of Panama Canal locks.
The action was taken without a
record vote.
BY the Associated Press
Admiral Harold r. Stark told the
Senate Naval Affairs Committee to-
day that the Navy would welcome q
genuine attempt at disarmament
when the European war ends.
The chief of naval operations as
serted, however. that if disarma-
ment conference were called the
United States should insist that
other nations make "a clean breast"
of their naval strength.
Senator Lucas. Democrat, of
Illinois asked Admiral Stark whether
the Navy would want to continue
its present construction program
unabated in event of European
peace. .-:
IF thought we could get dis
Armament conference" the Admiral
replied, ''and if I thought the other
fellow would live up to it, I would
be perfectly delighted" But he said
the Navy ought to have its re-
quested authorization for an II per
cent increase in tonnage which
would be provided by a pending
$685. 100000 expansion bill
II this increase is granted. he
said, the Navy plans to spend about
$1,000 100000 in the next six years
building up to authorized strength.
"N0 Navy Officer Wants War"
Senator Lucas said he wanted to
be sure that if Congress approved
the expansion it would not be COM
mitting itself to a construction pro-
gram regardless of changes in the
world situation.
Senator Lucas said he had noted
some predictions that the United
States would be in the war within a
year.
If there is naval officer on earth,
that wants war;" Admiral Stark re-
piled quickly, I'D like to find him.
We have to bear the burden of war. "
This prompted Senator Tydings,
Democrat, of Maryland, to observe: !:
Admiral, think we ought to have
an amendment to this bill to put
two Congressman on each of these
ships"
Billion Year for Upkeep.
Earlier, the Navy said the
United States would have a
billion-a-year bill to maintain the
fleet and it's air arm at the ex-
panded strength now contemplated
The annual upkeep estimate of
about $1,157,647,100 was submitted
to the committee. which is studying
the ,House-approved expansion pro-
gram.
An even heavier maintenance bill
was likely if Congress follows the
recommendations of Admiral Stark
for a IS per cent expansion. The
chief of naval operations held the
bigger boost necessary to restore the
country's 5-to-3 treaty ratio over
Japan.
The II per cent fleet increase au-
thorizes 43 additional ships and 1,O11
planes, but does not set aside funds
Building costs. the Navy pointed out,
would have to be absorbed over the
next several years in addition to the
expense of previously authorized
construction and the maintenance
outlay for the present Fleet.
New Canal Locks Opposed.
While the Naval Committee heard
this testimony. other phases of the
national defense problem drew Sen
ate attention.
The War Departments request
for funds to start work on a $277,-
O00, 900 set of bomb proof locks fol-
the Panama Canal drew the fire OF
Senate economy advocates. They
contended that the Army had failed
to establish any need for the new
locks.
At the same time the Senate heard
that the War Department intended
to request 5000 900 to start imme-
diate work on an air base at Anchor
age, Alaska, and a cold-weathel
aviation experiment station at Fair.
banks, Alaska. The Army originally
asked 81, ,734,000 for this purpose
| (see NAVAL, Page A-50