Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-15
Naval Estimates Reduced.


been reduced $126O0,OOO below the appro-
priations for the current year, which has
excited much unfavorable comment in the
newspapers and in naval circles. 1t has
since been disclosed, however what was a
secret up to the middle of October, that the
government has been secretly building three
enormous battleships as powerful as the
Dreadnought, and with even greater speed.
The official of the navy department in
and out of parliament have listened COM
placently to any amount Of abuse and criti-
cism because of their alleged Indifference to
the defenses of the nation and have made
no reply. Their attitude at the time was
considered inexcusable, and the popular
opinion was that they were too ashamed to
say anything.
Under such trying circumstances they
kept their secret WELL and nobody outside
of a limited circle was aware that three
great leviathans the largest and most pow
erful floating fortresses ever constructed,
were rapidly approaching completion. They
are called the Invincible, the Inf1exible and
the Indomitable, and will be armed with ten
twelve-inch guns. They are $50 feet long.
1871 feet beam, with a mean draught of 20
feet, and are 40 tons heavier than the
Dreadnought. They are expected to make
twenty-one knots an hour.
The construction of these vessels was I'M
known even to parliament until a few days
no more criticism Of the management of the
marine department during the present ses-
sion.
Liberal Innovations.
The liberals have made alterations in the
hours for the meeting and rising of the
house of commons. That body is now called
to order at 2.45 p. m. on Mondays, Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays; the dinner in
terval has been abolished and the session
adjourns at II 80 pm. On Fridays the ses-
sion begins at noon and adtourns at $40
pm. There is no session on Saturday.
An attempt was made last spring to pass
a law giving each member of the house Of
commons a salary of 81 500 a year. 1t was
argued that the British house is the only
legislative body in the world whose mem
bers serve without compensation. In oppo-
sition 1t was pointed out that veIS large
proportion of the officials throughout the
united kingdom which correspond with our
city councillors, county commissioners state
missions serve the public without pay. It
was argued that this enhanced the honor Of
the office. and thus brought into the pub
lie service an ADLER class of men than would
be willing to serve for pay. 1t was urged
also that II members of oparliament re-
ceived salaries seats In the house of COM
mons would be sought by men Of lower
standard of ability and morals than offered
themselves as candidates at present.
The prime minister confessed that the
government was in accord with the princi-
pie Of the resolution to provide salaries, but
he considered 1t inexpedient to make any
change. The resolution was therefore
amended so that 1t contained merely an ex-
preston of opinion that members of the
house Of commons should receive, compen-
sation, and was then adopted by vote of
34S to 10. The ice having thus been broken,
1t may be expected that a salary bill will
be put through at the next session.