The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-23
INCREASE Of THE NAVY
CONDEMNED IN HOUSE
BY AN OHIO REPUBLICAN
Protest from Mr.. Burton. Chair
man of the Committee on
Rivers and Harbors.
CHEERED BY MINORITY
Speech That Pleased the Demo-
cratic Side-Mr. Williams
Remarks.

WASHINGTON, Feb 22.-The naval APP
preparation bill to-day encountered oppo-
sition on the Republican side of the House.
Mr.. Burton. of Ohio, chairman of the rivers
and harbors committee, announced in a
vigorous speech that he could not support
a bill which declares that the United
States, which, in his view, should be the
leader in all works for peace, is going to
double, treble and quadruple its naval es-
tablishment, and all under the assertion
that it is done for peace. He questioned
the need of so great a navy as the bill
contemplated, asserting that the Monroe
doctrine and the supremacy of this coun-
try on this side of the world is secure, and
that the control of the Philippines by this
country had not been questioned. He asked
the minority why, in view of the declara-
tions in the Kansas City platform. they
had not opposed these expenditures.
w. w. Kitchen, of North Carolina, en-
deavored to have eliminated from the bill
the provision for the purchase of land for
a coaling station at Guantanamo, raising
point of order against ii. Speaking gen
orally on the subject of the navy, Mr..
Kitchen said he did not believe in a stand
still policy, nor did he believe in getting
stampeded and running wild. GUANTANAMO
ultimately would cost So 600 OOO He said
the policy should be to keep abreast of the
growing needs of the country. The chair
overruled the point, and on appeal the de-
cision was sustained by vote of 81 10 oil.
Mr.. Williams said Mr.. Burton had placed
the minority in an unfair attitude by ask
ing them why, in view of their declara-
ton for peace in the Kansas City platform,
they did not oppose these expenditures. He
said to do this would mean that vessels
now building would rust at their docks
and that the sailors would go upfed. Re
viewing the appropriations for the army
and navy Notifications Mr.. Williams said
that such large sums were being expended
for war purposes that the river and mar
Dor committee, of which Mr.. Burton is
chairman, could not bring In bill ana
that government buildings could not be
constructed. He said when country goes
world towering" il must go about with
a chip on it's shoulder and be prepared.
Mr.. Burton said his remarks were not to
be construed to mean that work should
be brought TO a standstill on ships under
construction or that the navy should not
be maintained but what he did mean was
that there should be a great modification
of the bill. Applause on the Democratic
sldel. He again questioned the Democrats
as to their opposition to these expenditures
and what they meant by their declaration
in the Kansas City platform, and why they
should stop with one single minority re-
port against a naval bill. No river and
harbor bill was being reported he said,
because there was now $3S 900. 600 lying in
the treasury to be expended on river and
harbor work, TO which SS.000OOO was TO be
added by the sundry civil bill. twice as
much as had ever been expended in any
one year. In view of this he said ii would
be futile to bring in a river and harbor
bill.
Mr.. Grosvenor added to this that the
sundry civil bill is to carry $1O.545. SS3 for
public buildings, saying that he was great
ly affected to hear Mr.. Williams to whom
he referred as leader of the Democrats In
the House and prospective leader in ma
tional politics, complaining because the
majority was not going to make further
appropriations
Consideration of the bill was pending
when the House adjourned. twenty-six OF
the seventy-three pages having been read
for amendment under the fve-minute rule.