The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-07-25
They Decline to Recede
From mo Ba tie.
Ships Program.
ACTION UPHELD
IN NOISY CAUCUS
Adjournment Plans Further
Complicated by Failure to
Break Hopeless Deadlock
Between House and Senate.
Frost May Find Congress
Still in Session.

Washington. July 2i-Democrats OF
the House in caucus tonight voted
20 to 81 not to recede from tneir no
battlesh!ps" program In the naval ap-
propristion Bin = determined EFFORT
was made to have the caucus approve
compromise with the senate where
by the House would agree 10 the con
struction OF one sea nghter Repre-
sentative Fitzgerald. chairman OF the
Appropriations Committee. led the
opposition TO tho proposal on the
ground OF economy.
The action Of tho caucus further
comp!icates the adiournmcnt plans of
the leaders OF both the Senate and
House The naval appropriation bni
IS Ia conference and tonight caucus
was ordered H. an eNort to break
deadlock that has prevailed :or some
time with no apparent chance that il
coul1 be broken. The senate. com
mited to 4 two ba,tleships building pro-
gram. was willing to compromise on
one vessel this Year Il has expressed
It's determination not 10 recede fur
thor
Cunt Foreteli Result.
What Will be ,ae effect Of to-day's
acron?' Chairman Psdgett OF the
iIouAe Havai Anaira Committee and
leader OF the House conferees. was
asked when the caucus adjourned
Heaven only knows" he answered.
I'm Just going to sit on the log and
don't know what the outcome Will
be. However we'll probably be here
until frost arrives
the guarded doors tie voices OF those
for and agains, the batileehip plan
came plainly. Those In favor OF
greater navy because OF tao approach
!ns opening OF the Panama Canal
wasted inpassioned orstory and
sought the supper, OF tho country
members. Those opposed insisted that
the Democratic pledge OF economy In
sovsraments administration made II
imperative that the naval program as
already approved by previous House
Democratic caucus. should be adhered
Representative suiner chairman Of
the Foreign Affairs Committee offered
resolution that TWO battleshiDs be
provided for. and that objections 10
the Senate amendment he Withdrawn.
Although Nj Sllzer had a number Of
supporters. Chairman Padgett novel
10 amend this proposition by substitute
Ing one such vessel which would be
the last word in naval construction.
Debate IL Acrimonious.
Majority Leader Underwood. Repre-
sentative Murray. Of Massachusetts.
and Pou. Of North Carolina with sew
eral others supported Mr. Padgett's
suggestion Mr. Murray. who repre-
senis the district IN which the Charles
town Navy Yard Is located. confessed
he was in favor OF two big nghtin-
craft. but tha, in the present temper
Of the two houses OF Congress ne be-
iieved a compromise was necessary to
expedite public business. Tho debate
was growing acrimonious when Repre-
sentative Burnett. of Alabama moved
that the entire matter he tabled There
Immediately ensued a scene OF confu-
sion. but the demand for a roll call
on the proposal was carried with the
result that the caucus voted TO stand
hrm by its previous decision. Several
ineffectuai attempts we're made TO have
the caucus vote TO release its members
from the pledge exacted by the pro-
vicus caucas not TO vote for battle
ships this year.