The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-04-13
Congressman HObSOn For
Four BattleShlpS
LILLEY AFTER NAVY-YARDS
Connecticut Congressman May Have
Stirred Up Another Hornets Nest
President May Send Back En-
ployers' Liability Bill.

&
Washington, April l3--Lurid pictures
Of the horrors and miserics 81 war, Of
worldwide conflicts between the strug-
Cling nations and the races of the East
and West, were painted Saturday IN the
House of Representatives BIZ Congress
man Richmond Pearson Hobson IN the
effort to prove that the only way in
which such dire calamities can be avoided
~ BY appropriating millions for tre-
mcndons fleet aud by beginning this year
with the authorization Of al least four
battleships.
II was the congressional debut Of the
hero Of the Nierrimac, and he had big
assemblage to hear him. In spite Of
eNaggerations in manner and statement
it was an impressive, carefully detailed,
and at times eloquent appeal But after
Robson came Representative Burton
Of Ohio, who il brief and quiet speech
brought the crowded audience hack To its
senses. He reminded his hearers that
the United States had been peacemaker
in the past, not because Of its navy, but
because its name was synonymous with
liberty and freedom Judging from the
volume Of the applause with which the
two speeches were interrupted, and with
which they were followed at their close,
lit appeared unmistakable that the pre-
ponderanee Of the sentiment 81 the
House was with MIR. Burton and against
Mr. HObson, in favor of two battieships
and against four Taken nit its face
value, it was AN inspiring testimonial
that the appeals by which the country Il
still moved are those Of peace rather
than Of military glory.
Another hornets nest may prove to
have been stirred up Saturday by the
unterrifed Iilley of Connecticut. At The
close Of Congressman Bnrton's speech,
when the large attendance Of the House
was filing out, the Connecticut congress
man rose with paper III his hand, and
in spite III the fact that he was very
pointedly left with an audience Of hardly
score. read d speech which may have
more practical effect than either of the
two which preceded ii. Mfr. Iilley re-
newed the charge, which he has made
IN the past, that there has been tremend
Gus waste Of public money III the main
tenance of useless navy yards. But this
time he made The charge more specific.
lie declared that there have been mis-
appropriations oil over Sl01,Hlu,01U, and
introduced resolution authorizing
the president To appoint commission
looking tn tile abandonment Uf the navy
yards and stations at kittery, Me-, Port
Royal and Charleston. n. C Key West,
Fla, New Orleans and Mare Island, Cal
Iie made astounding, but apparently ae-
eurate, statements as to the practical
III some of the smaller yards,
pointing ont that their dry docks are
inadequate and that their shallow ehan-
nels would absolutely prevent tie big
ships from reaching them. But where
he was most daring was III attacking the
eonferees of the House and Senate who
have been in charge Of tile naval bill for |
the last few years, and who, according |
I'd Mr. Lilley. have looked out for their |
nit Che expense of the nation |
lfe declared, There are six eonferees.
five of whom have yards BIT stations in
their districts. aIl of which ought To ID |
This hff comes closely home |
10 Senator Hale of Maine, among the
others.
III Ii reported and generally believed |
that President Roosevelt has referred the /
newly passed employers liability bill 10
the attorney general for All opinion AZ
To It'll eonstitutionaIity, and that he may |
send Ii back to Congress if Dir. Bona
parte holds II doubtful.
Senator Crane was back ait his Office /
III the capitol Saturday morning as busy /
al ever with the big correspondence
which Ii always flowing IN upon him.
He appeared IN fine spirits and less tired
BY the convention experiences in Boston
tlia1l might have been expected, having
ssept splendidiy, 81 he declared, all night
III the train.