Evening star., 1948-05-17
Test Of Improved Atom Weapons
At Eniwetok Highly Successful;
House Unit Favors Super-Carrier
65,000-TonV Vessel
Would Be Largest
EverConstructed

A House Armed Services sub
committee approved unanimous
ly today a bill clearing the way
for the Navy to get started on a
65,0O0-ton giant aircraft carrier.
Navy authorities say the super
carrier, capable of cruising in Arctic
waters, would be the largest ship OF
any type ever built. 1t would be about
half again larger than the Nays
present biggest carriers. Up to four
years would be required for its con-
struction.
Presumably, multiple-engine bomb
ers capable of carrying an atomic
bomb thousands of miles could take
off from its flight deck.
Would Divert 229 Million.
To clear the way for its construc-
ton, the subcommittee recon-
mended to the full committee that
the Navy be allowed to stop work
on 13 unfinished ships. This would
divert approximately 1929, 100000 to
build the proposed carrier and YES
sells designed to launch guided mis-
siles.
The action was taken after Rep
resentative Hess, Republican, OF
Ohio read letter from Secretary OF
Defense Forrestal assuring that
the nations top military leaders all
approve the super-carrier project.
Mr.. Forrestal said President Tru-
man and the Budget Bureau mill
tary planners also favor the project.
Mr.. Hess said the full committee
may act on the bill tomorrow.
Four Carriers Planned.
Secretary Forrestal and Admiral
Denfeld, Chief of Naval Operations,
reported to the subcommittee this
morning their plans for construction
of four of the huge carriers.
The Navy asked. however, only
tor authorization to start work on
one during the coming fiscal year.
Admiral Denfeld estimated that
4S months would be necessary to
build one carrier but that in event
of emergency and with priority. the
time could be shortened to about
80 months.
The Nays biggest carrier now
has a disp.a cement of $1,000 tons,
length of $40 feet and width OF
l43 feet. The proposed super car
rier would measure about l,030 feet
long on the water line and 236 feet
as a maximum width. Admiral Den
field said it would be the largest
naval craft ever built but could be
constructed on several existing dry
docks.
Secretary Forrestal had been
scheduled as a witness before the
subcommittee, headed by Represent
ative Hess, but sent word he was un-
able to testify today. He provided a
long letter, however, explaining that
the Presidents budget for the COM
ing fiscal year did not provide suff-
cient funds to complete the l3 war
ships now under construction and at
the same time permit start on the
super carrier. He added that mo
man can accurately PREDICT the ma
ture of any future war and urged
that the s23O.OOO,0OO originally set
for the shipbuilding work be shifted
to the carrier construction project.
Program Approved.
Admiral Denfeld told the sub
committee that the Joint Chiefs Of
Staff had approved the super
carrier program. as we'll as the
7O-group air force expansion and
14,500-plane Navy strength. This
approval, he explained, was given
before the recent issue came up in
Congress concerning desirability of
a 7O-group, as compared with &C.
group air force.
The super carrier. Admiral Den
field testified, would have the fol-
(See. DEFENSE, Page A-4D