Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-19
Argument Before the House
by Chairman Foss.
NEEDED APPROPRIATION
PROVISIONS OF THE MEASURE
EXPLAINED.
Representative Fitzgera1d's View Of
the Popular Sentiment Regard
ing the President.

The House upon converting today passed
bill amending the land laws so that in a
county which lies in two lard districts
proof may be made at the county seat Of
such county for either district.
Another bill authorizing the construction
of pipe lines for oil and gas through the
Indian territory was passed, after having
been amended so as to limit the period of
grants under the bill to twenty years on
the suggestion of Mr.. Williams (Miss.),
who said the territory was or at least he
hoped it was, on the eve of acquiring state
hood.
Other bills were passed as follows: To
enable the Secretary of the Treasury to
pay to the state of Vermont money appro-
priated under the act of July 1, 1902. and
to adjust claims between the United States
and the state Of Vermont.
To authorize the shortening Of the draw
bridge span and the lowering of bridge
near st. Joseph, Mo.
Granting to Port Angeles, Wash, for
park purposes, certain portions OF the gov
eminent reserve in that city.
To donate gun carriages to the Connecti-
cut commissioners for the care and pres
ervation of Fort Griswold.
Naval Bill Taken Up.
On motion of Mr.. Foss Qll.). chairman
of the naval affairs committee, the House
went into committee of the whole, with
Mr.. Hepburn Qowa) in the chair, and en-
tered upon consideration of the naval ap-
preparation bill.
The minority announced that they want
ed five hours time for general debate and
ten hours were agreed upon to be divided
equally.
Mr. Foss speaking for the bill, said the
aggregate Appropriated would AFFORD com
fort 10 the economist and an inspiration TO
these who believe in the policy OF building
up the American navy. He then explained
the reasons for the increase of Sl4ooo.OJo
ir this bill over the last, saying, among
otter things that the increase of 300
men provided by the bill made an increased
appropria ton necessary. More men should
have been provided, he said. but there was
a lack of facilities for training them.
Taking up the new warshipS provided for
Mr. Foss said he believed the naval in
crease program to be modest and reason
able when what other countries are doing
is taken into consideration. He also ex-
pressed the belief that the building of these
Ships will be approved throughout the coun-
try. He said the statement has come from
certain quarters that the government
should stop building. but he did not believe
1t to be the voice of the American people
rot to build UP the navy. Figures were
quoted comparing the navies of the powers.
showing the United States to rank fifth.
In answering a question by Mr.. Law
renee (Mass), Mr. Foss said that the
sentiment of the naval authorities was
that We should have this year more cruis-
ers than battleships. This was to carry
out the policy that our armored cruisers
should be about half the number of battle
ships. We now have, he said, ten armor-
ed cruisers of the first class, with the
two authorized in the bill making twelve
which will be about half the number Of
battleships. .-
Mr. Rixey (va.) called to the attention
of Mr.. Foss that the general board rec
commended one armored cruiser and three
protected cruisers, and that the bill pro-
vides for two armored and one protected
cruisers.
This was done on the recommendation
of Admiral Dewey, was the reply of Mr.
Foss.
Need for Strong Navy.
In emphasizing the necessity of build
ing up the navy in times of peace, and the
impossibility of building ships in times of
war, Mr.. Foss exclaimed: What would
Russia give today if she could call back
some of her sunken ships?"
If eternal vigilance is the price of
liberty, Mr.. Foss declared that eternal
preparation for war is the price of peace"
He called attention to the great differ
ence between the army and navy. The
army is largely made up of personnel. A
major general can be made by the stroke
of a pen, but it requires forty years to
make admiral, and years of work to
build navy.
Referring to the troubles in San Domingo,
Mr.. Foss said the time may come when the
United States will say to San Domingo and
Haiti that II they cannot preserve order
the American navy will do 1t for them.
Thep there Is the Panama canal, continued
Mr.. Foss. Provision is made in the bill for
naval base at Guantanamo, right on the
road to Panama" There Is that interest to
look out for. he said. also the Monroe doc
trine, and in the far east the Philippines
are TO be protected.
The MN ha cd 10 hec IL
American diplomacy. which. he said, never
stood so high as it does today under Secre-
tary Hay.
In conclusion. he said that when it be-
came necessary to strike blow the United
states should possess the power to strike a
blow such as Dewey struck at Manila
A Measure of Peace.
Mr., Meyer Ga.), the ranking. minority
member on the committee combated the
statement that the navy is top-heavy. He
said a strong navy is Indispensable in
guarding the interests of the United
States throughout the world He regards
bf peace
The fight on the sea with Spain. said
MI meyer, was not contest with a great
maritime power, and it must not be as
sumcd the ships of Great Britain France
am, ana Germany are not the equal of ours.
rms country should proceed in a sensi-
bic and patriotic way to increase the navy
Mr.. Fitzgerald's Objection.
MIR Fitzgerald IN. " said that to who
ever can read the signs of the times. the
program Of this government is plain. 81
am aware that official denial will be quick
iy forthcoming" he declared 'Neverthe-
less assert that the action of this gov
eminent in its naval program is unmistak-
ably TO procure naval force that will ex
coed that of Germany" He then gave
hsures showing the strength of the Gernna n
navy navy ana what IL will be in the immediate
future Admiral Dewey. he said. in a hear
lIig before the naval committee, made the
think We ought to be a little ahead of
any country that is likely to attack ne
- lnIlk IL we were to have forty-eieht bat
alone 10y "o~'u iet Us
Mr. Fitzgerald inquired who could saw
tnat at the end of twenty years the poji
cies OF the government might REQUIRE a
navy practically equal TO that of Great
continuing. Mr.. Fitzgerald said: '..rhero
- growing feeling OF unrest In this com
IIy- There Is al