Reduction in Estimate of $500,-
000,000: Sixteen Vessels Instead of Seventy-one Washington, Feb. 23.
The Naval Committee of the House of Representatives have Jeided to authorize the construction of 15 cruisers and one aireraftcarrier as against the 71 vessels Jdemanded by the Secretary for the Navy, Mr. Wilbur.
The cost of the new programme fs cotimated at $274,000.00, Jcompared with $740,000,000 for Mr. Wilbur's programme, both figures exclusive of aircraft and increased Personnel, The Committee decided that. the first vessel should be laid down within three years of the passage of the Dill and that the programme mirist be completed in six years.
The Committee rejected the proposed destroyer-lenders and 32 submarines.
Finally, the Committee approved the proviso that in the event of the United States signing an inter. national agreement for further naval tation the President would be empowered to suspend whole or part of the authorized programme.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.