The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-04-23
Only Two Rattleships.

Washington.-By a vote of 1873 to SO
the House Wednesday decided against
the Presidents program for four bat
mendation of its committee on naval
affairs for two vessels of that type.
This result was reached after a de-
bate which lasted for four hours, and
was received with applause. The en-
tire session was devoted to considera-
ton of the navy increase provision OF
the naval appropriation bill.
The provision for battleships was
the chief subject of interest, the COM
mittee's recommendation for two ships
of that type prevailing by decisive
vote after a hard fought effort to in
crease the number to four.
The increase was opposed by Mr.
Tawney, chairman of the committee on
appropriations, Mr.. Foss, chairman Of
the committee on naval affairs, Mr.
Willett, minority leader. and others,
and was advocated by Mr.. Hobson of
Alabama, who declared that m relation
to the increase of other nations four
battleships would only keep the AM
erican navy abreast of other navies.
Mr.. Longworth of Ohio, in vigor-
Gus speech, told the House that the
President was more interested in this
increase than in any other question
before Congress, and especially as all
of them had in the election declared
that they supported him. this was a
good opportunity to live up to that
declaration.
An amendment by Mr.. Tawney to
reduce the number of new battleships
to one was voted down by an even
more decided majority than was Mr.
Hobson's proposition for an increase
to four.
A provision for two fleet golfers OF
sixteen knots and of 1880 tons ca
pacity, costing $1,S00.000 each. was
adopted.
Amendments were adopted that one
of the battleships and one of the col
liers shall be built in navy yard.
Mr.. Humphrey of Washington read
a brief note addressed to him by the
President, dated April 18th. expressing
surprise that any one should oppose
four more battleships, and Mr.. Hum
phrey, waving his hand toward both
sides of the House, said that every
body knew that at the bottom of the
opposition to battleships was a design
to create campaign material.
Mr.. Hayes of California, said that
he voiced the desire of the people Of
his state in speaking for four battle
ships. He declared that there is a
race question on the Pacific coast, an
acute race question, and we of the
coast shall insist upon our right not
to be submerged by the hordes of the
Orient who are streaming across the
Western sea-coolies and laborers-
to take possession Of American lands
west of the Rocky mountains"
The voting on the amendments on
regular division disclosed seventy
nine ayes. and 100 noes. on Mr.. Hob
sons proposition to have four battle
ships. Mr. Hobson then demanded
tellers. and the count revealed eighty
three ayes and 1879 noes.
Mr.. Tawney then offered his amend
ment reducing the number of battle
ships to one. but it was defeated by
205 noes to siXty-tive ayes.
Insisting upon some concession, Mr..
Hobson moved an amendment provid
ing for three battleships. which was
voted down by 20S to sixtyfour.
larger majority than any developed
on any other vote taken.
Mr.. Goldfogle of New York moved to
amend the bill by making mandatory
the building of one battleship in a
navy yard, giving the secretary of the
navy discretion in the building of the
other either in navy yard or by con-
tract. and the suggestion was adopted.
An amendment by Mr.. Loud OF
Michigan providing for two fleet col
lers of sixteen knots speed and $500
tons capacity. costing $1,S00,000 EACH
with an additional amendment by Mr.
Maynard of Virginia STIMULATING that
one of them shall be built in such navy
yard as the secretary of the navy shall
direct. was adopted. For this purpose
S1,5O0,00O is appropriated to begin the
campaign.