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"Edison Sworn In, Speeds Ship Plans – 7"

"In a press conference Mr. Edison was asked about persistent reports that the navy was planning the construction of giant battleships of from 65,000 to 80,000 tons. Admiral Stark, chief of naval operations, was at his side.
" 'We are giving thought to all matters which might add to the efficiency of the navy,' Mr. Edison replied.
" 'That is right. We always do that', Admiral Stark agreed.
May Give Estimates to Congress:
"The navy has no plans for ships of 65,000 to 80,000 tons, but in response to inquiries from members of the House it may tell Congress what a ship of such size would cost...
"...The Secretary announced that the battleship North Carolina would be launched at the New York Navy Yard early in June."

It can get a bit confusing, so here are the last battleships the United States ever built:

North Carolina Class, 2 ships, 45,000 tons, 16 inch guns, first ordered in August 1937
South Dakota Class, 4 ships, 35,000 tons, 16 inch guns, first ordered in December 1938
Iowa Class, 6 ships ordered (4 built), 58,000 tons, 16 inch guns, first ordered in July 1939.
Montana Class, 5 ships ordered (cancelled in favor of Essex Class aircraft carriers), 71,000 tons, 16 inch guns, first two approved for construction in 1940.

So the questions here by reporters are quite astute, and the answers by Edison & Stark a bit, well, misleading.

Iowa Class:

Illinois (BB-65), an Iowa-class battleship under construction by Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, was canceled 12 August 1945.

The keel of Kentucky (BB-66), an Iowa-class battleship, was laid at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va., 6 December 1944.

Construction was suspended 17 February 1947 when the battleship was 72.1 percent complete. Her name was struck from the Navy List 9 June 1958; and her uncompleted hulk was sold for scrapping to Boston Metals Co., Baltimore, Md., 31 October.

Montana Class:

(BB-67: dp. 60,500; l. 925’; b. 121’ 2”; a. 12 16”, 32 40mm; cl. Montana)

The name Montana was assigned to BB-67 on 28 December 1940; but construction of the Montana-class battleship by Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa., was canceled 21 July 1943, before her keel was laid.

A fourth Ohio, (BB-68), was authorized 19 July 1940, her construction assigned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Construction was canceled 21 July 1943.

(BB-69: dp. 60,500; l. 925’; b. 121’ 2”; a. 12 16”, 32 40mm.; cl. Montana)

The name Maine was assigned to BB-69 on 28 December 1940, but construction of the Montana-class battleship at the New York Navy Yard was canceled 21 July 1943.

Construction of New Hampshire (BB-70), a battleship to be built by New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N. Y., was canceled 21 July 1943.

Building of battleship Louisiana (BB-71), was authorized 19 July 1940, and assigned to the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va.; but, before her keel was laid, construction was canceled 21 July 1943.

From DANFS.