Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-04-23
Senate Told win Veto Naval Ap-
aroprlation Bill If No Pro-
vision for Two BattIeships.
HAS THE DESIRED EFFECT.
Hale TO Introduce Amendment Appro-
prlating Seven Millions--Fight
For Four ships TO Go ON.

Washington, April 22-President
Roosevelt will veto the naval apprN-
priation bill should the senate. as did
the house. fail to make any appropri-
alton for the two battleships which
are authorized In the measure. The
prompt announcement of this fact to
senate leaders today is regarded as
responsible for the announcement by
Mr. Hale that he would propose an
amendment appropriatins sI0Oo,0oN
toward the construction OF those
ships
The president stated his position on
this point with the usual emphasis
and suddenness today upon learning
Gha. the bill as passed by the house
was simply a paper provision for
naval Increase. Authorization OF the
ships was made, but no money carried
to make the provision effective. Such
legislation as this. the president made
known to his numerous congressional
callers was travesty as 20 effective
ness, as well as bearing all the ear
marks of legislative le2erdemain in
tended to make ridiculous his cam
raign for the greater navy
That the presidents quick and Wig
OrOuS HCIlOn IL 10 pc ellCillNt IS tNl-
denced by the action of Chairman
Hale of Thea senate naval committee. IN
announcing that at the proper time
he will propose the ST,000,000 amend
mett AS to his threat Of veto, the
president made It plain that should
the wisdom of Congress result in the
passage of n bill providing for no
naval increase whatever he would
have no ground whatever upon which
n thu nln ANY Attpn1 mt
at what he regards as a travesty on
legislation by authorizing and not APP
propl iating for ships he declares he
will defeat by the exercise Of his
constitutional power to ve,o.
There is not the slightest indication
that the president has ceased his
fight for four battleships, according
TO the evidence of senators who talk
ed with him today Senators who are
with the president in his fight on this
proposition admit tonight that . care
full survey of their strength In the
senate gives but a vote of &c in that
body In favor of the presidents naval
program for four ships.
Significance is attached to this poll
of the senate in that 1t is said TO show
loss to the president m some of his
heretofore staunchest supporters in
that body. Senator Lodge is under
stood to have quit the fight for the
full naval program advocated BY the
president and to have given his rea-
sons personally to the president Tor
SO doing The loss of the influence of
the Massachusetts senator is regarded
as being responsible for the weakness
shown. by the poll, as it is believed
by those favoring the program that
had the presidents senatorial support
ers entered the fight with the vigor he
has evidenced his desire In this direc-
tion might have been realized.
HALE EXPLAINS.
Washington, April 22.-When consid-
grafton of the naval appropriation bill
was resumed in the senate today Mr..
Hale, referring to a publication sin Il
nounced war outside and inside the
senate. explained why an appropriation
for two new hattleships and subma-
I'ines had not been placed in the bill
either in the house or the senate. The
house. he said, voted the appropriation
down on the ground that it would not
be needed until next December, and
the senate committee had not put II in
the bill because the estimate of the
amount that could been expended had
been received from the department.
Since the bill was reported. he said
the estimates. amounting to N,OOO,OOO,
had been received, and he would add
that amount as an amendment to the
bill thus increasing to that extent the
already heavy appropriations for the
navy.
~ say this" added Mr.. Hale. In
order that senator's and newspaper men
and all others may possess their souls
in peace"
Answering an inquiry by Mr. Clay
senator Hale said il was necessary 70
begin to repair the vessels almost as
soon az they are set afloat. When
repairs reach the original cost, he add
ed, lit is discovered vessel Is obso-
lete,"
Mr.. Hale said he had recently talked
with Sir William White, formerly head
of the British admiralty. who has stat
ca that the United States has the fin
est fleet In the world, and that the
excelIercy of our navy is due to the