Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-06
WEEKS DEFENDS NAVY
REPLIES TO RECENT SPEECH BY
BURTON.

General debate on the naval appropriation
bill terminated with the close of yesterday s
session of the House. one paragraph of the
bill being read in order to make 1t the
continuing order before the House ad-
journed.
International arbitration, the reduction of
our armament. a carefully prepared address
on the achievements of the navy and de-
Tense of the naval program for 1907, togeth-
e. with speech In favor of a monument
or Kings Mountain battlefield were the
features of this legislative day. Those
who addressed the House formally were
Mr.. Bartholdt of Missouri, Mr.. Johnson of
South Carolina Mr.. Webb of North Caro-
lima. Mr.. TirreIl and Mr. Weeks of Massa-
chrsetts.
Mr.. Foss of Illinois, In charge of the bill!
stated that the naval budget probably
would be completed after two days de-
bate under the tive-minute rule. Mr.. Payne
the floor leader, thought it would take a
day longer
An appropriation of $50. 900 for the build
ing of monument at Kings Mountain bat
tie ground was the subject of a speech de-
livered by Mr.. Webb IN c..
Il raise the point of quorum said
Mr.. Clark (Mo). And the chair in mis-
minds eye" counted q quorum.
Mr.. Tirrell (Mass) was recognized to ex-
plain some of the reasons why there are
50 many assertions from the navy, wnicn
he attributed to the enlistment of boys un-
der eighteen years of age
Mr. Tirren said that there was not a
post office along the Massachusetts coast
that did not contain flaming poster with
magnificent battle ships in the distance and
natty petty officer in the foreground in
viting the young men of the land to Join
the navy and telling of the benefits to be
derived therein.
"A fraud order ought to be issued
IA .atI
t:Ously
Mr. Clark CMo) said it was a great mis-
take TO pat the stigma of desertion on a
boy VINO had out Of pure patriotism enlist
co In the navy and who later found he was
not suited TO its requirements. "A boy un-
der eighteen years OF age Is still a boy ana
should be so treated remarked Mr. CLARK
MI Loud (Mich> said he had taken 4
hoy out of the navy on exactly similar
lines and there had been no stigma attach
ing to his discharge
linen the navy has one rule for YOU
pointing to the republican side) and one
rue Tor us indicating the democrats),"
said Mr.. Clark (Mo.).
Mr.. Weeks (Mass) a graduate of the
Naval Academy. replied TO the address of
Mr. Burton (Ohio) made Friday, who in
sisted that for international peace the naval
program as presented In the bill should ne
curtailed. Mr.. Weeks contended that the
DAi was fair one and in the very nature
OF things should be passed. He insisted that
d large navy today was not for the purpose
or menacing a neighbor but for the pur-
pose OF protecting our growing commerce.
Mr. Hepburn Qowa), In a speech some
time ago when the hazIng bill was before
the House, made the statement that
Lwenty-six ships had been lost In twenty
I'VE years. and he deduced from this tnat
the personnel must be not of the hIgha st
1hs statement Mr.. Weeks answered at
great length, reviewing the loss of every
snip since the civil war either by accident
"a
cause. and gave the officer in command re-
SUIT OF inquiry and court-martial II such
there was.
With the close of Mr., Weeks, speech
"tacn met with very liberal applause. gem
eral debate ceased. and the first paragraDh
OF The bill was read. The COMMITTEES then
rose and at 4:10 the House adjourned un-
I'll tomorrow at noon