Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-24
CRUISE OF THE WARSA|pS
SENATORS DISCUSS AUTHORITY
OF THE PRESIDENT.
Mr.. Bacon Believes Congress Should
Have Been Consulted on
Round-the-World Trip.

In reopening the debate on the naval
appropriation bill this afternoon Senator
Hale, chairman of the committee on
naval affairs. declared that with the
vessels provided in the House bill and
those already in service neither the At
lantic nor Pacific coast need have any
fear that ii will not be amply pro-
tected during the voyage of the fleet
around the world. This statement
brought Senator Bacon to his feet i'm
mediately to ask of Mr.. Hale whether
he knew for certainty that the fleet was
going around the world.
Mr.. Hale said that lie did not know for
certainty. but that he did not doubt
that IT would so. Mr.. Bacon then de-
ma nded that the chairman of the commit
tee give his opinion as to the object of the
''essise; ,,,n .,o ,o,, :, =.
repfied Mr. Hale. except what l and other
senators see in the newspapers
(. Mr. Bacon then wanted to know wheth-
er the President was acting within his
authority. In Mr.. Hale,s opinion. In send.
ing the ships ION their circumnavigating
voyage.
THE senator knows" replied Mr.. Hale
that the President is commanderin-chie
o. the army and navy under the Consti--
efution. and that the Constitution provides
that Congress shall provide and maintain
!
conduct. / have never taken the ground
that this act of the President was usur-
patton.
II can see some benefits to be derived
from the voyage in the way of expert.
ence for the men and in demonstrating
the worth of the vessels. or course the
question qf possible accident or compile
cations with foreign powers Is merely q
is going around the world. and 1 shall
bid It godspeed. hoping it will get out of 1t
without any complications.
II don't think. there fs the remotest
journey. SO l shall rest In peace by day
and by night
Senator Teller asked Mr. Hale how the
EXPENSES of the voyage would be met.
and the latter replied. by the passing of
a deficiency bill
What will be the additional cost above
what we have already appropriated for
the voyage p asked Mr. Teller.
IT have no more idea" declared Mr..
Hale. than / have Of the cost of the
circuit of a bird in the sky
In the opinion of Mr.. Bacon. who got
to his feet next, the President was acting
within his legal authority wnen he or
dered the feet to the Pacific coast and
would be so acting il he ordered it around
the world. but in the latter case il would
be transgressing the laws of propriety by
not seeking the consent of Congress.
Mr.. Rayner of Maryland declared that
he had studied the question from a con-
sttutional standpoint and believed that
'jn-the absence OF law on the point the
President had ample authority to send
the feet around the world
Mr.. CulbersOn, the minority leader
asked Mr.. Hale whether there were any
rules prescribed by Congress which would
prevent this action by the President, and
Mr.. Hale said there were none
Senator Lodge then began defense of
the President. saying that the voyage of
the feet already had been of great benefit
He declared that. of course. the President
as head of the navy could send one shin
or a whole fleet of ships wherever he
pleased
Congress is wholly unfit. he said Ito
control the movements of the land and
naval forces of the navy