Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-09
Naval Appropriation Bill Au-
thorizes Dreadnouqhts.
SENATE LIKELYTO APPROVE
Majority for Measure in House
Larger Than Was Expected.
DRY DOCK ITEMS OMITTED
Meyer Reorganization Plan Also
Voted out-S12s. Ooo, 900 for
Maintenance and Extensions.

After Seven-hour session the House
of Representatives yesterday by a vote
Of $50 to 1O9-a greater majority than
expected by even the most sangune-
adopted the provision in the naval appro-
prlation bill for the construction of two
great battleships, each of not less than
26,OUo tons displacement. AS the Senate
is considered, in a measure. to be conf
mtted to the two-battieshps policy. as a
result of compromise on that interest
ing occasion when President Roosevelt
and his friends made fight for four. 1t
is believed this provision will be favored
without change at the other end Of the
Capitol.
The vote on the battleship provision was
of peculiar interest inasmuch as party
lines were practically wiped out and per-
sonal views prevailed. Thirty-three demo-
Gratis voted for two battleships, follow
ing the lead o. the republicans of the
House committee on naval affairs, while
twenty-f republicans followed Repre-
sentative Tawney OF Minnesota. chairman
of the House appropriations committee,
who made a fight for only one Dread
nought.
Vote Exceeds Expectations.
Never at any time during the past
week or more that the naval bill has
been under consideration did the ad-
vocates of two battleships expect to win
by any such large majority as that dis
closed in the vote of yesterday. They
figured at one time that their PROPOSE
ton would win by twelve votes, and at
no time did they count on more than
twenty ma jority. Consequently, they are
greatly pleased as result of the strength
displayed by the committees increase
in-the-navy' plan.
Representative Fitzgerald of New York,
who never misses an opportunity OF SLIP
ping one across on his republican breth-
rem, secured the adoption of an amend
ment providing that in contracts for fu-
ture naval construction an elght-nouf
day should be specifically provided. This
was one of the surprises of the day. For
years the democratic party has been try
ing to turn this trick In naval appro-
prtation bill, but until Mr.. Fitzgerald,
who is recognized as the leading par
Humanitarian Of the minority side. and
one of the best in the whole House.
tackled the job. the effort was without
success. The Fitzgerald amendment was
passed on a rising vote. Many republl-
cans were opposed 20 it, but didn't care
to SUBJECT themselves to the fight that
would certainly ensue if they registered
against 1t on record vote.
Meyer Plan Ignored.
The Meyer plan for reorganization Of
the Navy Department was given no con-
sideration. AS the naval bill was report
ed, it provided that the Meyer plan should
be given a years trial by allowing the
Secretary Of the Navy permission to in
terchange among the various bureaus
the appropriation authorized by the
measure.
Representative Hobson of Alabama
made a point of order against this pro-
vision, and it went out without a murmur
of protest. Unless the Senate reverses
the House, the Secretary Of the Navy, II
he insists upon carrying out his plan OF
reorganization without congressional
authorization. will have to enforce 1t by
the circuitous methods he is now follow
ing.
The House restored to the navy bill ap-
preparations to continue the work on dry
dock No 4. now building at the Brook
lyn. navy yard. and drydocks now IN
course of construction at Puget Sound,
Wash, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Here again the hand of President TAFT
was plainly discernible. Early in the
week the Watchdog ran amuck
against the appropriations for drydocks,
and before they had finished the job they
had knocked out the appropriation Tor
these public works.
~ nR>-.-, Gov nrry nocIs