The Washington herald., 1912-07-25
CAUCUS REFUSES
TO RECBDE FROM
WARSHIP STAND
Continued from Page One.

troduced his resolution. and he and
Mr.. Underwood were waiting to be
heard in its support. Mr.. Burnett arose
and was recognized at once. He moved
to table all pending motions. This
motion shut of all debate. The ques-
tion then REQUIRED on the Burnett reso-
luton. 1t was passed by a slim ma
jority.
Speaker Clark voted to table the bat
tleships resolution. Although the rec
ord vote was not given to the press
the Speakers vote was attested by a
number of those in attendance at the
caucus.
Few Of the New York members who
are committed to battleship constructions
attended the caucus. As chairman Of the
Appropriations Committee, and therefore
pledged to keep down expenditures, Rep
resentative Fitzgerald of New York op-
posed the Padgett resolution. Represent
atives Sulzer, Levy. and Littleton spoke
against and voted against the Burnett
resolution. all Of them favoring the con-
struction of two battleships as proposed
by the Taft administration.
Pleads Baltimore Platform.
In urging the adoption Of bis resolution
Representative Padgett OF the Naval
Committee referred to the Baltimore
MI. fduSctt cApTtsscu lHc
opinion that IL the party was to keep
faith with the platform pledge as to
the navy, and to maintain the navy at its
present relative state of efficiency. at least
one battleship should be authorized.
Chairman Padgett expressed keen dis
appointment over the outcome Of last
night's caucus. He is chairman OF the
House conferees dealing with the Senate
conferees on the naval bill.
eIo f,c
sit on the log in opposition to battleships
until frost comes IL necessary" said Mr..
Padgett
The battleship night now goes back to
the Senate and the House conferees.
The Senate Incorporated an amendment
in the naval bill providing for two bat
tleships. but was willing to compromise
with the House on one Dreadnought. The
action of the caucus, although disap-
proved by many House Democrats. is
likely TO result in a prolonged fight.
Senate leaders say that one battleship
shall be authorized or no naval bill shall
b. passed at this session. House leaders
declare that in view OF the caucus de-
cision they will have to stand pat.
Naval Bill L. Menaced.
aced as a result of last nights devel-
opments. There is talk that as q result
OF the caucus action II may be necessary
to put through a resolution re-enacting
the naval bill passed a year ago. Here
again a complication is presented. The
naval bill passed a year ago provided
for two battleships. Its re-enactment
would give the battleship advocates a
victory
Advocates Of a greater navy. regardless
Of party, are chagrined over the opposi-
ton to navy extension. They point to
the English. French. and German naval
programmes all of which contemplate
extensions involving the expenditure of
millions Of dollars on Dreanoughts and
lighter craft. Fear Is expressed that II
the United states fails this year to au-
thorize battleships the American navy.
instead OF keeping pace with other first
class powers, WIFI fall into the rear and
be reduced to the plane OF the naval
establishments of the second-class pow
ers OF the world.