The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-30
STRONG PLEA FOR
 MERCHANT MARINE
QueStian Is Fully Aired By
 Members of the House
CUBAN AFFAIRS DISCUSSED
MT. Littefield Attacks the Apbropria- ton for the Big Fleets Coal Sup ply and Makes Plea For
 Merchant Marine.

Washington, January 29.-The need of an American merchant marine as an auxiliary to the navy formed the prin- cipal topic of discussion in the House of Representatives today, during the con- sideration of the urgent deficiency ap- propriation bill. The debate was partici- pated in by MT. Littlefield of Maine, who questioned the legality of the provision of the bill appropriating sl,000,000 to sup ply a deficiency for coal for the navy, caused by the transfer of the battleship fleet from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He criticised Congress for its failure to make appropriations for a merchant ma rine. His remarks elicited from MT. Fitz- gerald of New York the charge that the republican party was responsible for that condition, while MT. Sherley of Kentucky maintained that the lack of merchant marine, "a national disgrace,' was due to republican policies.
 The bill was still under consideration when the house at 5:02 D. m. adjourned.
 Cuba Is Discussed.
 At the outset of the consideration of the urgent deficiency bill the provision appropriating s1o,00o for the expenses of the signal service of the army of Cuban justification was questioned by MT. Clay ton of Alabama. He inquired of Chairman Tawney what had been the cost to the United States of it occupation of the island, which elicited the response that it was about s4,OO0,000. Further inquiries developed the fact that there was at this time in the Cuban treasury about sl5,- nnon Mr. axrtn tad fo I'm why it was now proposed that the United States should pay the bill. MT. Tawney met the inquiry with the statement that he had addressed a letter to the war de- pertinent asking for an explanation.
 The Cubans were criticised by MT. Gaines of Tennessee for creating the con- dition which he said necessitated the presence of United States troops in their country, and he asserted that the Cubans had been compelled to pay the expenses incurred by the United States in our in- tervention.
 Notwithstanding the opposition aroused by the provision it was allowed to stand.
 Army Funds Reduced.
 Upon motion of MT. Hull, chairman of the committee on military affairs, the House reduced by S30O,000 the proposed appropriation of $716000 for clothing and camp and garrison equipment for the army. The $1,000,000 appropriation for coal for the battleship fleet furnished ma terial for an attack by MT Littletield of Maine upon the legality of the expendi- ture. He declared that under the act of 1877, which he said was still in force, the coal which had been shipped in for eign bottoms should have been seized and sold. He said that the attorney general had held it not to be Illegal flor reasons sufficiently satisfactory to him. but MT. Litteteld said he differed from him.
 MT, CrumpaciSer of Indiana ridiculed tine contention of MT. Lttlefeld, and said that if it should. be sustained the government simply would be selling It's own coal and turning the money into It's treasury.
 will the gentleman suggest how this administration can carry out it's policies without violating the law" inquired MT. Fitzgerald.
 That is thing that is not up to me-" replied Mr Littefeld, who then launched upon a plea for an American merchant marine. The government, he said, at the cost of many millions had created a naval fleet, and yet that fleet was without power to support itself except within the radius of it's operations.
 Fitz9sraId's Query.
 An assertion by MT. Lttleheld that d distinguished democratic senator" had