The Washington herald., 1908-04-16

Between the scylla, OF one battle ship
and the Charybdis of four the House Of
Representatives yesterday steered a
straight course over a sea OF golden ora
tory into the safe and sane harbor where
two monster fighting ships will to-day. no
doubt, be found
Incidentally the House administered a
rebuke TO the President of the United
States. who on Tuesday sent to Congress
a special message urging the necessity
Of the nations building four sea fighters
Of the greatest power.
In addition to that given the President.
Capt. Richmond Pearson Hobson, the hero
Of the Merrimac, and about eighty more
advocates Of the -battle-ship plan, the
House administered a much more impress
sive rebuke to Chairman Tawney, of the
Appropriations Committee; Representa-
tive Bartholdt, of Missouri and peace;
Representative Burton, chief speaker for
the gentle dove, and few others, who
want this nation to build one ship or
none
Chairman Foss. Of the Naval Commit
tee. indeed, seemed to be the man to be
congratulated, because it was his pro-
gramme and that Of his committee that
the House finally took as the good and
sane programme
Against "spasmOdic'' Increase.
Chairman Foss said. during the course
of the debate on the proposition for ap-
propriations for an increase in the navy,
that he was averse TO "spasmodie" in
creases In our navy. The House evidently
agreed thoroughly with Mr.. Foss, be-
cause when the teIlers appointed 10 count
the vote on Mr.. HObson's amendment
providing for four battle ships was an
nounced the members in favor Of the
greater navy were So. while those who
were opposed numbered 1s9. No votes
were party votes. Democrats and Repub-
licans voting together. one way or the
other
Even more certain was the rebuke ad-
ministered TO Mr. Tawney, who proposed
an amendment TO the battle ship section.
/
Tawney received ths support OF s5 mem
bers, while the opposition developed 2o5.
Capt. Hobson, again leaping into the
breach, through which he sees perhaps
a million 0rientais advancing on US, pro-
posed another amendment whereby three
battle ships should be provided for.
Upon this proposition Mr. Hobson lost
I !
corded both himself on the previous ques-
ton and Mr.. Tawney upon his proposal.
The House voted. by 81 to 2oS that it
wanted not a provision for three sea
fighters
While the whole naval appropriation
bin was not voted upon yesterday-prob-
ably it viii be early to-day-it IS prae-
tioaliy assured that the -battle-ship
section will stand. and that the bin viii
go over to the Senate with such a pro-
vision in It.
Hale FavOrs One.
f.ys.stor Hale, chairman of the Senate
Committee IL Naval Affairs. is quoted 10
have said yesterday that while only one
battle ship is esteemed necessary by
many members of both branches Of Con-
gress, It Is probable that two will be
authorized.
What the President will do. IS, OF
course, unknown. but it is practically GER
tain that while he has desired four ships,
having found that he cannot get them, he
will take his defeat and make no further
effort to whip Congress into line. That he
will retaliate. as he is asserted to have
said he would do, by vetoing the public
building bill, is not now believed.
It is probable, therefore. that the bat
tle-ship section of the naval appropris-
ton bill, providing fer two battle ships
of the first clsss equal to the best known
in commission, as well as the bill itself.
will become law without material change
Two provisions, however. were inserted
IN the bin yesterday which may be
changed by the Senate. One of these. an
amendment offered by Representative
GoIdfogle. provides that one of the bat
tie ships-and both. if the Secretary OF
the Navy so desires-shall be constructed
in a government navy yard. No particu-
: lar navy yard is specified.
over this proposal there was not much
1 debate although Chairman Foss made a
point of order against II. Representative
. Mann. chairman Of the Committee OF the
Whole, ruled that the amendment Of the
I New Yerk member was germaDe. and
I on a vote It was passed, 1SS to IS.
> This amendment may receive serious
consideration IN the Senate, as Chairman
Foss later declared that the Connecticut
Continued on Page 3, CoIanaa 2.