Charles Francis Adams Favors Orderly Program of Ship Building Up To Allowance Granted U. S. by London Treaty

"An orderly program of ship building which would ultimately bring the United States up to the full allowance, according to the treaty limit, is my preference in regard to all naval programs," stated C. F. Adams '88, former Secretary of the Navy and Overseer of the University, yesterday.

"The new naval program included in President Roosevelt's Public Service Bill is inadequate to cover the depreciation of the navy. $46,000,000 is the amount outplayed for the next fiscal year in a contemplated expenditure of $230,000,000 over a period of five years. The average depreciation of the navy is $100,000,000 per year.

"The burden upon the taxpayers necessitated by such a government expenditure would be offset by other advantages. All classes of laborers are given work. Furthermore, a naval program is a stimulus to a wide variety of industries, so that employment is possible for the man who works in the mines, the lumber yards as well as the steel mills and many others." Mr. Adams cited the example of France, which he said was now the most prosperous nation in the depression. "France has made tremendous outlays for army and navy. The question is not merely an economic one, for the United States can spend money in other ways. It is Does the United States want a reasonable navy?"

Mr. Adams stated that the only way to keep peace is by maintaining a reasonable army and navy. "There are now no immediate perils: Germany has practically no navy at all, and danger is very slight from Japan, who has, however, more modern equipment than the United States in the line of cruisers, submarines, and destroyers. This gives the United States a chance to build up her protection."

In regard to the future for lighter-than-air craft, Mr. Adams stated that it is unlikely as well as unwise that the navy will build more dirigibles until the "Macon" has been put under enough experiments to determine its worth. "There is much to be learned from experience with this ship. No one knows exactly how serious was the storm in which the 'Akron' met disaster."