Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-11
COMMITTEE VOTE FOR
TWO NEW BATTLEsH|PS
7. 'txS
Presidents Plan 10 Have AppPb.
prIalIOns Made for -Four
Defeated.
THERE WILL Be A MINORITY REPORT
Committee Wanted to Recommend
Four Ships But Thought couareau
Would Not Stand for It-Naval Ap.
preparation Bill Cut Total Of s24,.
ooo,ooo-Thc ltcms Approved.
tBy Associated Press,

Nos hSsoClUtSu Press
WASHINGTON, u, c.. Feb l0--Dy
n vote OF thirteen TO I'VE, ono mcm
Der absent. the House committee on
naval affairs today. rejected the
PrcsidcntH urgent accommodation
that Congress at this session author
lie the building OF four battleshlps at
a total coast OF S3S.00O,0OO and by
unanimous vote there WAS included In
the naval appropriation bill IN Item
FOR the construction OF two battle
ships to coast s9.5GO,000 each ana to
be OF the Deleware type.
These representatives voted in ac-
cordance with the Presidents recon-
mondation: Lilly. of Conn, (Repn.);
Thomas. OF Ohio, tIlepnD: Meyer of
Louisiana, tDcm): Talbot. of Mary
land. tDem) and Hobson, of Alabama.
tDcm)
that he intended TO make n minority
report recommending authorization
for four battleships. But the auth-
said. ut should include On actua,
appropriation 80 that the work :. of
construction would lcgin without a
-
though 1t would DO three yeara before
20 Into commission and this country
has no time to lose"
Tho preference of the committee
stood in favor OF n four battieship
authorization. but the voting attitude
of tho majority was expressed by
Chairman Foss. when he said: "Ex-
perience has shown that IL Is NOR"
profitable in the end TO recommend
In the beginning what you know the
House will stand for. a RECOMMEND
dalton for four battleshlps could not
DO put through mt this session.
The Naval Appropriation Bill.
The navy appropriation bill, as am
ended and agreed upon by the COM
mittee carries total appropriation OF
Sl0l 100000 for the navy establish
ment for the fiscal year. about s24.-
! 100000 less than was asked for in
the department estimates. Under tho
head OF new authorizations for whose
lfulhlment Congress Is bound 10 APP
prorr!ate money at the neXt session.
! VI the bill rs recommended passes thu
! House and Senate. the committee in
clnded two bnttleships to coast SIP
100000; ten destroyers $S.500.000:
eight submarine torpedo boats $4,000
600. Total $3O,540, 000 or s3S. 730. coo
less than the total for new authorize
lions asked for by the naval depart
ment. The authorization estimates
rejected by the committee comprised
the following: Two battlcships $40
100000: four scout cruisers $4,000
600; one ammunition ship $t,750.0 900;
one repair ship S2,O0G,000: two mine
laying ships (cruisers to be convert
ed) 100000.
The committee. however raised
from four to eight the number OF sub
marine torpedo boats asked for: held
over for further consideration aud In
corporation In special bill the mat
ter of providing fleet golfers: APP
propriated 100000 for the purchase.
within the discretion OF the secretary
OF the navy OF three subsurface tor
pedo boats and included an appropri-
alton of SI000.000 to enable the rc-
cruiting of 1000 additional enlisted
mon TO man newly completed battle
ships and authorized the recruiting OF
1000 more to become available after
The first OF July.
No provision was made for tho
building of drydocll Mt Pearl Har-
hor near Honolulu. The Doubling OF
the departments estimate of -four
submarine torpedo heats needed was
| largely influenced By letters and pa
titions from Pacific coast chambers o.
commerce.
These boats. BY the adoption OF an
amendment offered by Representative
I.oudcnslager. of New Jersey. arc 90
he Of the Octopus type. In accordance
with the report of tho Mark board
before whom last year tests off Now
port were made.