The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-12-16
There Is a Large Number of
'SoIons Who Think the Unit
ed States Should Build Few
er Vessels.
OPINION is DIVIDED
TO A GREAT EXTENT
Some Think That the Economy
Platform Demands That No
Increase Shall Be Author
lied Right Now.

Washington, Dec. 16.-Congress may
decide at this session to give careful
consideration to the question as to
whether the United States is over
reaching itself in the building of a
navy. During the last administration
the legislative body sometimes voted a
good deal of money for the upbuilding
OF the navy than it would have voted
except for the insistent influence that
was brought to bear from the White
House. Some persons have always
believed that on one or two occasions
n Japanese scare was manufactured in
order to make sure of getting through
the administrations naval program.
Conditions have changed and the
general talk about congress is that the
time has come when there should be
calm consideration of any naval pro-
gram presented. The present occu-
pant Of the White House, while he be-
lieves in the general policy of bringing
the navy Of the United States up to a
high point Of efficiency, is quite will
ling to trust congress to do what it be-
1ieves to be the right thing. In other
words, the White House will not, dur
ing this session, nor during any other,
session while Mr.. Taft is president, at
tempt to use q club in obtaining two
battleships or any other number of
fighting craft.
Opinion 10 Divided.
The present indications are that con-
gress will divide into three camps on
this question as to what shall be done
about building up the navy. Some of
the senators and representatives are
disposed to believe that in view of the
general demand for economy in expen-
ditures, it would be wise to let this
session pass without authorizing any
new battleships. Other senators and
representatives argue that the thing
to do Is to authorize one battleship
year, thus cutting in two the program
of the last two years and the program
submitted by the secretary of the navy
for this year. The third camp is made
up of persons who insist that the
United States should build at least two
battleships a year, and such other
fighting craft as seem necessary to
keep the navy we'll balanced.
While the naval committee of the
house has not yet got down to work,
members of it say that the commit
tees bill will, no doubt. follow the rec
concentrations of the secretary of the
navy. 1t will then be for the house
to decide whether the building pace of
the last few years shall be maintained
or reduced.
Real Fight in Senate.
The real fight Is expected to take
place in the senate, Senator Hale, for
mer chairman of the committee on ma
val affairs, and now chairman of the
appropriations committee. has taken a
somewhat determined stand in favor of
authorizing the construction of only
one battleship. He has taken this at
titude in spite of the fact that two
years ago he was forced, under White
House influence. to agree to program
which called for two battleships annu-
ally. Many of the legislators are be-
ginning to realize what a tax a great
navy is upon the country. Every time
a new battleship is turned out the fixed
charges of the navy department are
enormously increased by providing for
the manning and maintenance of the
fighting craft The increase in the
messy during the last fiscal year cost
A6put 2. .OGNO0o Apparently there Is
MA, great deal Of sentiment in con-
perhaps not any to speak of-in
fSvor of letting the navy deteriorate.
bSt, there is growing feeling that the
limit of expenditures must be reached
pretty soon.