The Ordway new era., 1908-04-24
Only Two BattleshIps.

Washington.-By a vote Of 1879 to 80
tho House Wednesday decided against
the Presidents program for four bat
ucships and adhered to the recon-
mendation of its committee on naval
affairs for two vessels of that type.
This result was reached after 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
mittees recommendation for two ships
Of that type prevailing by decisive
vote after 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 in 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 a 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 n
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..
Hobsons proposition for an increase
to four.
A provision for two fleet colliers of
Iixteen knots and OF 12,500 tons ca
pacity, costing sl.S00,O00 each. was
adopted.
Amendments were adopted that one
OF the battleships and one of the col
liers shall be built in u 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
DOuN hueW tHut 1T llle Doltolil VI 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 IL 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 hordcs 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 a
regular division disclosed seventy
nine ayes. and 100 noes. on Mr.. Hob
sons proposition to have four battle
ships Mr.. Hobson then demanded
tellcrs. 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-five ayes.
Insisting upon some concession, Mr
Hobson moved an amendment provid
ing for three battleships. which was
voted down by 20S to siXty-four. q
larger majority than any developed
on any other vote taken.
Mr.. GoldfoSle of New York moved tC
amend the bill by making mandatory
the building of one battleship in q
navy yard. giving the secretary of the
navy discretion In the building OF the
other either in a navy yard or by con
tract. and the suggestion was adopted
An amendment by Mr.. Loud oI
Michigan providing for two fleet col
liers of sixteen knots speed and 2,5O(
tons capacity. costing Sl,S0o.OOO each
with an additional amendment by Mr.
Maynard of Virginia stipulating tina
one of them shall be built in such nav!
yard as the secretary Of the navy shal
direct. was adopted. For this purpose
81 100000 is appropriated to begin the
campaign.