The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-04-16
EXCITING DEBATE
LASTED FOUR HOURS
SOn-in-LaW Nick LOngWOrth
and HObSOn The Prin.
cipIe Defenders
nk Associaled preaa.l

Washington. April lG.-By vote OF
199to 50. the house Of representatives
decided against the residents pro.
gram for four hat,leshipa and adhered
10 the recommendation OF It's commit
tee ON naval affairs for two vessels
OF that typo. This result WAS reached
after a debate which lasted for foar
hours. and was received with applause
The entire session was devoted TO
consideration of the navy increase pro
vision 81 che naval appropriation bill
AS this increase was provided IN the
last section o / the bill. the measurF
wes practically concluded Mith flis
disposition af Ibe provsicp,
The provision for batJleships was the
chief subject OF interest the cOmluit-
tees Recommendation Tor two ships OF
that type prevailing by decisive vote
after a hard fought effort to increase
the number to four The increase was
opposed by Mr. Tawney chairman OF
the communities on appropriations.
Mr.. Foss chairman on naval affairs.
Mr. Willetts. minority leader and
others, and was advocated b. Mr. Hob
son of Alabama. who declared that In
relation to the increase OF other ma
tons four battleships would only keep
the American navy abreast OF other
nations.
Mr.. Iongworfh. Of Ohio in yigor-
oiss speech. told the house that the
president was moro interested IN this
increase than IN any other question
before congress and as hracucaliy all
OF them had in the last election de-
cmred that they supported him. this
was a good opportunity TO live up 70
that declaration.
An amendment by Mr. Tawney 10 re-
duce the number 0f new banle8hips
10 one, was voted down by an even
more decided majority than was Mr..
Hohsons proposition for four
A provision for two fleet colliers OF
16 knots and Of 10000 tons capacity
costing SiS00000 each. was adopted
Amendments were adopted that one
OF the hatlleships and one OF tho col
liers shall be built IN a naYy-yard.
Mr.. Humphrey. of Washington. read
n brief note addressed 10 him 10y the
president dated April H. expressing
surprise that anyone should oppose
four more baitleships. and Mr. Humph.
rey, waving his hand toward both sides
OF the house, said that everybody knew
that al the bottom of the opposition
10 battieniirs WAS design 10 create
campaign material
Mr. Hayes tCali) said that he
voiced The desire Of the people OF his
State IN speaking for four battleships
ifie declared that there is 4 race ques
lion and we of the coast shall insist
upon our righf not to be submerged by
the hordes OF the orient who are
streaming across the western sea--
Ia.
sion OF American lands west Of the
Rocky mountains
Mr. Parker IN J.l held mp the terri
torial isolation Of Alaska as ono argu
meni for a greater navy
Mr. Willett (N. W asserted that Z
few days ago 'the president said to
committee from this house who Gale,
on him at the white house said II "a
The presence Of other people. with hil
customary vehemence and facial dis
tcrtons that unless YOU give me fou
Datileships I will veto your publi,
buildings bill' That's the trouble viii
this situation, Mr.. Chairman Tn,
president attempts
ar Willeit was interrupted By Mf
llobson Who, speaking With much feel
ins said.
ln justice 20 ihe president I wlsl
70 inform the gentleman from New
York that ! saw him minute alta
he said hat and he told me he wa.
forced TO say Il because kn0wledg'
had reached him that unless the naya
program was cut 10 two ships the lead
eis IN the house would see TO II tina
there was no public buildings bill "a
nl
The voting ON the amendments on
regular division disclosed 10 ayes ana,
$50 noes. on SIR iobsons proposition
10 have four hattleships Mr. Hobsol
then demanded tcllers, ana the com
revealed SO ayes and 1919 noes
Mr Tawney then offered Ills amend