The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-26
Clash During Speeches
On BaHleship Measure

Aldrich said he objected to the sugges-
tion made by the Senator from Indiana.
! that Senators who would nos vote for
four battleships instead of two. He ap-
preciated the Presidents interest in the
navy and had no objection TO his send
ing for Senators to discuss the matter
with him.
But ii is a matter OF surprise to me, ="
he declared. when a Senator rises on
this floor and practically announces the
President says this, therefore you
ought to do it. and If you don't you Will
violate q patriotic duty"
Beverage by this time had become ex-
cesslVely angry. and. his face flushed
and shaking his finger at Aldrich. ad-
vanced on him, shouting in impassion-
! ed tones that he want-d the Senator
TO understand that L never assume to
speak for anyone but myself"
The Vice President raped him to or
der
In concluding, Senator AIdrich pointed
| out that the approx riations in bills al
| ready passed or pending carried one
hundred and four millions increase over
those of last year. with a public build
ing bill yet to come. With about 500
10000 more. These increased expendi-
lures OF more than one hundred and
twenty millions. he said. come az
/ time when there is a deficit OF sixty
millions in the revenues 1t was his
opinion that unless a halt was called on
expenditures Il would be necessary for
the committee which It is proposed to
adopt TO consider tariff revision, to seek
for new sources OF revenue.
War improbable.
IF 1 thought" he said. that the
honor OF peace Of the United States
was at stake, I would be among the
first to vote for as many ships as neces-
sary- But there is no such question
here. l do not say that war IS i'm
possible, but 1 do say that 1t is i'm
proba bic. We should not attempt to
compete with Great Britain in number
OF ships. The eficienc-- Of the navy is
OF more importance than its size Four
battleships would mean 100000 taken
every year from the people OF |the
United States by taxation TO answer
the fancies which exist only IN the
Imagination OF the Senator from IN
diana"
In announcing that he would vote for
four battleships, Senator Lodge wanted
to make II plain that he did so with
no thought OF any war cloud. NO one
has informed me-" ne said. 'of any
danger of war either IN my capacity
as a Senator or as a member Of the
Foreign Relations Committee have
no cause TO apprehend war with any
people. II I thought war was near US
would never predict Il on this floor.
would use my influence TO make as
large appropriations as possible and say
as little about It as possible
Talk Stimulates War.
Wars do come sometimes unexpect-
edly, but incessant loose talk Of war
very often stimulates and brings il on.
I have not sought 20 pry into the con-
fdence OF the Executive but I believe
that his message was not lightly sent.
I know no more about II than the
world at large. but I take what he
says and recommends. and I do not
take him through an Interpreter"
Senator Hale. toward the close OF
the afternoon. earnestly called the at
tention OF the Senate 70 the need OF
fastening action on appropriation bills.
He did this in his effort 10 secure an
agreement 70 a vote on the naval bill
before adjournment Monday He point
ed out that nearly a week had been
spent IN the naval bill debate. that II
was the general feeling there should be
an early adjournment and vet that the
Senate stiH had TO pass the agricultu-
raj appropriation bill. the District bill.
the sundry civil. diplomatic and con-
sular. postof1ce. general deficiency and
military academy bills
He said he had no desire to cut of
debate. but Il must be borne in mind
that In addition 10 these appropriation
bills the public building bill. which
would probably be passed. had 70 be
disposed OF, and various important
measures.