The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-05-18
/. PLAN REDUCTION
IN EXPENDITURES
FOR BAT TLESH|P
One Per Annum Is Program
Outlined by Demo-
cratic House.
PLANS TO RECOUP
LOSSES IN REVENUE
Will Offset Slump Caused by Free
List Bill and Wool
Schedule.

Confronted with a loss of revenue
amounting TO more than $10000.0Oo, on
account Of the passage of the free list
bill. with a corresponding cut contem-
plated as a result of a revision of the
schedule on wool, the House Democrats
are today planning to recoup these loss
es mainly through a reduction of ap-
preparations for the navy.
The present program of the Demo
cratic House is that hereafter 1t will
authorize but one battleship per annum
This plan is entirely at variance with
the two-battleship program of former
President Roosevelt, as we'll as that OF
The present Administration.
Adequate Navy"
The Democrats of the House, how
ever, have always leaned toward an
Adequate navy, rather than a big
navy. With tire exception of such men
afraid as Representative Hobson, who
wants three. and even four. new dread
naughts authorized each year-the
Democrats on the whole. have
voted for a reduced appropria-
ton. Heretofore they have con
Eistently been voted down. The Demo
craft: party is now in possession in the
House and in possession to put into eff
feet not only its naval program, but al
so TO regain some Of the losses bound
10 be incurred through a reduction of
tariff duties.
Naval experts estimate that the mod
ern battleship. when fully armed and
equipped, costs at least $11,0OO0O0. In
addition, there is an annual item of ex-
pense in the upkeep. consisting of sup
plies, repairs, and the salaries and
amounts, conservatively speaking, To
SI00,000 per year. The cost Of keeping
the Connecticut af1oat has run as high
as A,o00,000 per year.
The Democrats figure, therefore, that
not only will they save the original cost
OF the extra vessel, but that there will
be a cumulative saving of nearly 81, OOO
goo per annum If only one dreadnaught
is authorized every twelve months.
Padgett's Stand.
Chairman Padgett, of the Naval At
fairs Committee a one-battleship cham
pion, is committed to the idea of re-
ouced naval expenditures. He is under
stood to have gained the consent of
other House leaders that hereafter the
naval appropriation bill shall provide
for but one new battleship per year,
which means that at one fel swoop the
Democrats will gain something like So
100000 in revenues.
This naval policy is to be rigidly ad-
hered to unless II should become appa-
rent that bigger navy is imperative
and the Democrats are not inclined to
listen to the voice of the jingoes in de
termining whether such necessity eX-
lists.
This course will restore, of course,
but part of the revenue to be lost IL
the Democratic tartff-reduction pro-
gram, but 1t is regarded by the majority
as a substantial saving and a step in
the right direction. BY economizing in
the expenditures for other Government
departments. by stopping leaks here AMI
there and, perhaps, by the enactment of
an income tax, the Democrats believe
that the revenue ledger may be made
10 balance IL they are retained in power
long enough to work out their scheme OF
readjustment.