Arizona republican., 1911-02-22
THE PROGRAM
HELD ITS OWN
House Agrees on Naval
Bill
INSTEAD OF REDUCTION
Nine Millions Added to APP
preparations, by Amend
ments, Increasing Size
and Armament of Ships
Originally Provided For.

Washington, Feb. 21.-The house late
today completed the naval appropria-
ton bill and will pass it tomorrow. As
agreed to when read for amendment to-
day it provides for TWO new battleships,
two fleet Golfers. eight torpedo boat
destroyers, and four submarine tor
pedo boats.
The two battleships are to be the
largest ever constructed in this country
and the authorization fixes the dis
placement at $1,000 tons. but there is a
likelihood they may go to 10000 tons.
They will have twelve 14-inchs rifles,
the heaviest battery ever placed on
ship These guns will be arranged in
four turrets, three guns in each. This
arrangement is entirely new.
A motion by Mr.. HObson Of Alabama
to increase the number of battleships
to three was defeated 161 to 9. Mr..
HobsOn sought to add a ba:tleship-
cruiser of twenty eight knots speed to
the building program, but wE again
defeated. Mr.. Humphrey of Washing
ton failed to have the number of sub
marines increased to six.
Numerous amendments were tackled
on the measure which was being con-
sidered for amendment. most of them
being against points of orders made by
members of the naval affairs commit
tee in the interest of economy. When
the reading of the bill was completed,
both Mr.. Foss of Illinois, chairman, and
Mr. Padgett of Tennessee. ranking
democrat of the committee. briefly an
nounced that by the changes made be-
tween $4,000. 900 and $4,000. 200 lad been
added TO the cost of construction of
the vessels authorized in this bill as
heretofore authorized.
The eight-hOur day provision was
made to apply in the case of the four
submarines. The provision for these
small boats was the only one actually
carrying a specific appropriation, and
it was the only one to which the limi-
tation could apply.
The house adopted an amendment
forbidding the naval authorities from
transporting coal from the Atlantic to
the Pacific coast for naval purposes. 1t
was asserted by western members that
good steaming coal was available on
the Pacific coast An amendment by
Mr.. Rainey of Illinois was adopted,
stunning out the limiting WOTuS OF 40
nestle manufacture from the apprO-
priation of $S90,034 for armOr and
armament 50 as to leave the govern
ment frae to buy new armOr anywhere
in the world.
Mr.. Stanley of Kentucky secured the
adoption of several amendments. One
provided that no part of the appropri-
alton is to be spent with any firm or
corporation which it should reasonably
appear. had entered into a combination
to restrict competition, and in no case
should the government pay i'm excess of
100 per cent above the cost of produc-
ton.
Another was that the government
should buy no structural steel, ship
plates, etc, from any plant in a COM
bination to violate the laws in restraint
of trade, etc, and limiting the amount
to be paid so that the contractors
should not make more than a reason
able profit. Numerous other amend
ments were offered and rejected and
the bill was amended in ether respects.
The house adjourned without passing
the bill on the motion of Mr. FoSs. the
idea being TO have the measure pass
tomorrow when a larger attendance of
members is expected.