Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 243, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 October 1915 — QUARTER BILLION IN IMPROVING NAVY [ARTICLE]

QUARTER BILLION IN IMPROVING NAVY

First Year of Contemplated Building Program Would Cent $248,000,000 —Conference Friday. Washington, Oct. 12.—Fifteen to twenty fighting shops of the dreadnaught and battle cruiser type with a proportionate number of sea-going submarines, coast submarines, scout cruisers, destroyers and auxiliaries—enough to make a new American fleet —is contemplated by Secretary Daniels for recommendation as a five-year building program for the United States navy. The total cost for the first year is estimated at $248,000,000. President Wilson and Secretary Daniels have discussed informally the needs of the navy and are agreed that in order to be adequately prepared for defense the present strength of the fleet must be almost doubled in the next five years, with the addition of many of the latest type of fast and powerful fighting craft. Details as to numbers have not been finally worked out, but the plan of fixing of ratio for continuing the program over a period# of five years is the basic principle upon which the general board of the navy and ecretary Daniels now are planning their recommendations. Another conference between the president and the secretary ‘will be held Friday at which the total number probabjy will be fixed.