AMERICAN NAVY

Southland Times, Issue 22218, 10 January 1934, Page 5

AMERICAN NAVY

MORE SHIPS WANTED

CONSTRUCTION OF 101 PROPOSED

BILL INTRODUCED

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Washington, January 8. Representative Britten has introduced a Bill authorizing the construction of 101 naval ships of various categories at a total cost of 472,200,000 dollars. They would be constructed over a period of five years, beginning in 1935. It was simultaneously learned that Representative Vinson, chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee, is planning to submit to Mr Roosevelt a separate plan for the construction of a large number of naval ships. Mr Britten’s measure authorized the construction of one aircraft carrier, six cruisers, five destroyer leaders, 60 destroyers and 29 submarines. Mr Britten’s Naval Bill calls for two cruisers, two destroyer leaders, twelve destroyers and six submarines to be laid down in 1935; one plane carrier, one cruiser, two destroyer leaders, twelve destroyers and six submarines in 1936; one cruiser, one destroyer leader, twelve destroyers and six submarines in 1937; one cruiser, twelve destroyers and six submarines in 1938; and one cruiser, twelve destroyers and five submarines in 1939.

These 101 ships, together with an eight-inch gun cruiser already authorized but which would not be laid down until 1935, Mr Britten said in a statement, would, when completed, give the United States for the first time since the war a treaty navy. “I will press my Bill for early passage because it is not in conflict with the announced policy of the Roosevelt Administration,” he said.