The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-04-09
AUTHORIZES THE CONSTRUCTION
OF TWO FIGHTING YES.
sells FOR NAVY.
LIVELY WRANCLE ENSUES
Efforts Of Various Factions to Have
From One to Four Modern. Lcvia.
thars Added to the Marine Force Of
the United States Cause a Warm
Contcst-Decisive Vote Settles Il.

Washington. April S.--By Il decisive
vote of 1872 to 40. IA being present
and not voting. the house late today
authorized the construction OF two
battleshps To cost $6.000,00O each.
| Thirty three democrats voted for two
battleshps and "a republicans against
the proposition. This action was
taken just prior to the passage Of the
naval appropriation bill carrying S12s,-
O37.6O2 This amount IL about $4,000.
0C0 less than was recommended BY the
navy department In addition to the
battleships the bill also provides for
the construction of two fleet coliers
and four submarine boats.
Az amended. on motion Of Mr.
Fitzgerald of New York, the two
battleships. and two fleet colliers
must be constructed by firms operating
under the eight hour law. After fixing
an hour and half as the time for
debating amendments for the author
ization of battleships. the house wasted
large part of that time I'm parlla-
inentary contention concerning the
manner In which the time would be
divided between the two sides. The
debate proceeded under the five
minute rule.
The committee on naval affairs had
reported I'm favor of two battIeships.
Mr. Tawney of Minnesota, chairman
Of the appropriations committee. Of
fered an amendment providing for only
one battleship. while Mr.. Hobson pro-
posed an amendment providing for
three. Mr., Hobson contended that
three battleships would give no in
crease, but would provide only for the
ordinary depreciation in the naval
force. by an almost unanimous vote
the house rejected this propositions
Mr.. Gronna Of North Dakota moved
To strike out the authorization for the
construction Of any battleship. but "A
viva voce vote showed there was not
IA handful of advocates of mo battle
ship" policy. Speaking In favor of his
one battleship plan. Mr., Tawncy re-
lterated his statement that ~ per cent
of the revenue of the country was
being expended for wars that had
passed and for preparation for wars
To come. He declared that one battle
ship was sufficient to maintain the
proper strength of the navy.
Four Ships.
Mr.. Thomas of Ohio proposed an
amendment for four battleships. but
the house voted 1t down almost unan-
mousIy. Mr. Tawney's amendment for
one battleshlp was lost by a vote Of
i04 to 1873. At least 30 democrats
voted with the republicans against
Mr.. Tawney's plan.
An effort was made by Mr. Norris
Of Nebraska, an lnsurgcnt to amend
the bill to provide for one battlcslp
and six transports. the latter to cost
81 $l.OO0,0OO each. The amendment was
ruled out of order.
a strong speech against n two
battleshlp policy was mace b." Mr..
Barthodt Of Missouri, the house
apostle Of peace" who briefly re-
viewed the progress OF arbitration.
Representative J. Hampton Moore Of
Philadelphia, attempted to induce the
house to limit the draft of the new
battleship to 30 feet, but his amend
ment for that purpose was rejected.
Various other amendments were Of
fered to control the building OF the
battleshps under the operation Of the
eight hour law and in navy yards, but
they were ruled out of order
A point Of order was sustained
eliminating from the bill authority
given the secretary of the navy for
the construction of "A million dollar
fleet collier to be built on the Pacific
coast by private contract Under
existing law II will be constructed In
government navy yard on the
Pacific coast. The appropriation of
81 100000 for one repair ship was also
stricken out on point of order, Mr..
Fitzgerald of New York offered an
amendment which was adopted by "A
vote of l3l to Is under which the two
battleships and two fleet colliers must
be built by firms working under the !
eight hour law. e
Following closely upon this action
Mr.. Hughes of New Jersey attempted
to have the same law applied to the |
building of four submarine torpedo
boats authorized by the bill. The
The provision permitting the con-
solidation of bureaus of the navy de-
partment, according to the plan OF |
Secretary Meyer, was stricken out on
a point of order, hs Fl
Mr.. Padget of Tennessee, senior
democratic member OF the committee
on naval affairs then moved to re-
commit the bill, with Instructions that
1t be reported to the house to provide
for only one battleship. This motion
was defeated on roll call, 10 to 1852, |
Il voting present, Thirty three DEM
ocrats voted with republicans for two
battleships, while "a republicans joined
the democrats in favor Of one battle
shin f