U.S. DEFENCE EQUIPMENT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 84, 3 January 1940, Page 7

U.S. DEFENCE EQUIPMENT

Increases Outlined

AIR CORPS TO TOTAL 6000 MACHINES

By Telegraph.—Press Assu.— Copyright. (Received January 2, 8.25 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January 2. The annual report of the War Department says that the augmentation and acceleration of national defence reached an all-time peak in 1939.

Nearly 450,000,000 dollars was spent on military equipment. The expenditure on fighting equipment alone during the current fiscal year will approximate 373,000,000 dollars.

A total of 736 aeroplanes, valued at 39,000,000 dollars, was delivered to the air corps last year. Also 983 four-engined bombers and pursuit and other planes have been ordered for expansion of the air corps to 6000 planes. These are to be completed by next June. Production orders have been placed as follows: Anti-aircraft sound locators, 400 per cent, increase; threeinch anti-aircraft guns, 210 per cent, increase; anti-aircraft machine-guns, 140 per cent, increase; semi-automatic rifles, 153 per cent, increase; antiaircraft fire-control directors, 130 per cent, increase. President Roosevelt has appointed Mr. Charles Edison Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Edison is a strong advocate of a larger navy. He has acted as Secretary since the death of Mr. C. A. Swanson. “Super-Battleships.” Mr. Carl Vinson, chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee, announced that hearings on the Naval Bill, which seeks the construction of 95 combatant and 31 auxiliary vessels, would begin on January 8. He added that the Committee would explore the proposal of Representative M. J. Maas for super-battleships of 80,000 tons, mounting 20-inch guns. The Washington correspondent of the United Press states that sentiment is developing in Congress for increasing the size of the two 45,000-ton ships for which funds have already been allocated. The correspondent adds that the Navy has been asked to submit estimates on craft up to 65,000 tons. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says the agitation in Congress to build warships up to 80,000 tons is receiving little, if any, support in naval circles. Mr. Vinson said that personally he feels the idea is a pipe dream. The ships would cost 150,000,000 dollars. It would also be necessary to enlarge the Panama Canal and provide new dry docks.