tial and are considerably less than we could advantageously use for this purpose. The funds requested for experiments and tests will be funds well expended and will insure more powerful and more efficient ships and airplanes. The fleet improvements requested are selected essential items which will add considerably to the offensive power of the fleet. Those items were selected from improvement and shortage lists costing many times as much as the items requested. The same is true of the artillery and other equipment included in the estimates for the Fleet Marine Force. The larger Navy and increasing costs entail additional funds for overhaul, for miscellaneous operating charges, for maintenance and operation of shore stations, and for increased stocks of material of all kinds. Shore stations must supply and overhaul the fleet, as well as build about 50 percent of the replacement ships. Expeditious completion of ships puts them in the fighting line in the shortest possible time and also tends to decrease the over-all costs. Additions to shore stations contained in these estimates continue the development of ship berthing and overhaul facilities at strategic stations and continue the effort to provide adequate quarters for personnel at isolated and other stations where the need is urgent. SHIPS TO BE COMMISSIONED AND DECOMMISSIONED, 1939 There follows a detailed schedule of commissions and decommissionings. (3) CL: Nashville, Phoenix, and St. Louis. (18) DD: Hughes, Mayrant, Rhind, Rowan, Russell, Sims, Stack, Trippe, Wilson, Sterrett, Mustin, Anderson, Davis, Jouett, Sampson, Ellet, Lang, and Benham. (2) SS: Sargo and Sculpin. (1) AE: Pyro. (2) AM: Turkey and Eider. (1) AG: Antares. TO BE DECOMMISSIONED IN 1939 (11) DD: Leary, Taylor, Barry, Borie, Childs, Gilmer, Humphreys, King, Lawrence, Sands, and Williamson. Admiral KIMMEL. Commissioning and decommissioning charges are not paid from replacement of naval vessels appropriations but are paid from the annual bureau appropriations. The number pro 36929-382 vided for by the various bureaus in the 1939 estimates varies somewhat due to the class of material to be procured, which in turn determines the elapsed time between making a contract and the date of delivery. REPLACEMENT OF NAVAL AIRCRAFT Data concerning the proposed replacement of naval aircraft in 1939 is contained in the confidential supplement supplied. REPLACEMENT OF NAVAL VESSELS The appropriation requested, together with balances carried forward from the prior year, provide funds to (a) Complete work found necessary as the result of trials and service experience on ships already in commission and operating but not yet finally accepted, and to continue construction of 2 battleships, 1 aircraft carrier, 1 heavy cruiser, 4 light cruisers, 29 destroyers, 11 submarines, 1 seaplane tender, 1 destroyer tender, and procurement of reserves for 32 N. I. R. A. and 20 I. N. E. C. vessels. (b) Commence the construction of two battleships, two light cruisers, eight destroyers, six submarines, one minesweeper, one submarine tender, one fleet tug, and one oiler. SHIPBUILDING The 1938 appropriation for replacement of naval vessels was $130,000,000, and the amount requested for 1939 is $143,700,000-an increase of $13,700,000. Of the total, $21,622,100 is due to undertaking new vessels to be laid down in 1939 and $122,077,900 is for continuing work on vessels already under construction. Table of estimated expenditures for shipbuilding to complete vessels now underway and those commenced in the 1939 estimates Estimated expenditures for 1939, including the balances of N. I. R. A. funds and 1939 appropriations required are as follows (numbers in parentheses indicate number of ships involved): REQUEST FOR INCREASE IN NAVAL SUPPLY ACCOUNT FUND Admiral KIMMEL. A request for an increase in the Naval Supply Account Fund is included in the estimate in order to permit increase of present inadequate stocks; replacement of present stocks at prevailing higher prices; acquirement of stocks of supplies for operating new vessels; enlargement of provision stocks to care for the subsistence of the increased number of men in service; increased stocks of lubricating oil and gasoline for increased numbers of aircraft; and a continuation of the policy of seasonal and slack season purchases, with resulting economy. Funds are requested in 1939 to continue the procurement of strategic and critical materials initiated by an appropriation made available in the 1938 act. DISTRIBUTION AND ANALYSIS OF ESTIMATE FOR 1939 Attention is invited to the Summary and Analysis of the 1939 Budget Estimates, by Purposes, Statement I-B-5. That ends the general statement. |