The President told the press that the present law provides for a specific number of ships of specific types and he was uncertain whether a new authorization was necessary. However, he assumed so if he requested the construction of new vessels outside the original categories.
Asked if the naval prom mme Amud be characterized as a poredness Campaign," the President answered negatively.
Regarding details of the fleet, Mr. Roosevelt said ihe present normal peace-time personnel—85 per cent. of the war-time personnel—could be augmented quickly through drawing on naval reserves.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.