The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1912-12-28
ASKS THREE SHIPS
SECRETARY OF NAVY IS THOUGHT
TO BE TRYING MR.. RoosE-
vELT's RUsE.
MAY GET TWO AS COMPROMISE
Soee Sailors and Marines Also Arc
Wanted-Tariff Board May Be Re-
vived After the Democrats Have
Revised the Schedules.
By GEORGE CLINTON.

BY GEORGE CLINTON.
Washington.-Secre Of the Navy
Meyer has asked for three new battle
ships. Last year congress authorized
only one battleship, and did not au-
thorize that one until there had been
q pretty warm controversy on the sub
Ject in the house of representatives.
1t Is said that the Republican secre-
tary Of the navy has been prompted
to ask for three battleships by the
fact that the Democratic platform
adopted at Baltimore pledged the
party to care for the needs Of the
navy.
Last year, when the naval bill was
before the house committee. 1t be-
came known that the members OF the
majority party were divided as to the
advisability Of adding battleships to
the navy. Most Of the committee
members were In favor of the increase.
out the opposition was strong on the
moor OF the house, and particularly
~~SAo cCSouoC bOLhC vi thC iCNo6hhS~e
party leaders were very much opposed
to an enlarged building program. A
compromise was effected and one bat
tleship and several smaller ships were
authorized for construction.
Trying RooseveIt's Method7
II is believed by many members Of
congress that Secretary Meyer has in
mind just what Theodore Roosevelt
had In mind some years ago. Mr..
Roosevelt wanted two additional bat
tleships built for the navy. but he
knew that congress was opposed tc
any great increase In the naval
strength at that time. So 1t was that
Mr.. Roosevelt. wanting two ships.
asked for four, and the two we're
forthcoming in the nature of a COM
promise, a compromise which proba-
bly, made the president chuckle. be-
cause he got Just what he wanted and
just what he was afraid he would not
get. 1t Is suggested that Mr.. Meyer
hopes, through the compromise plan.
to get two ships. whereas II he only
asked for two he might have to be
content with one.
The United States navy Is today
third In strength among the naval
powers Of the world. Great Britain
and Germany lead this country, and
France follows 1t as the possessor Of
fourth place. although the French
navy is nearly as strong, on paper at
any rate, as the navy of Uncle Sam.
The navy department wants more
sailors. and 1t has asked congress,
through Senator Perkins of California.
who has introduced bill to that ef-
feet, to increase the enlisted strength
OF the navy by one thousand. bringing
the total strength up to $500 sailors
An increase Is asked for the marine
corps Of 20 per cent. and II It is
granted there will within the next
year be ten Thousand I've hundred ma.
rines In the service of the country.
May Revive Tariff Board.
The tariff board. which went out OF
existence because of a refusal on the
part Of congress to renew an appro-
priation for its support, may possibly
come back into being again after the
tariff has been revised by the next
congress.
There Is q strong organization.
known as the National Tariff Commits
sion association, which is working
hard to arouse public sentiment in
favor of a permanent commission.
which shall study business conditions
at home and abroad and make specific
reports on the schedules to congress,
with the view of having them adjust
ed, 80 that from time to time the tar
IN on certain articles may be changed
without disturbing the whole tariff
list.
Already congress is being memorial.
lied by associations and by individu.
ais to give force and effect to a real
national tariff commission 1t has Just
been announced that there will be a
convention Of the advocates of the
tariff commission, to be held in Wash.
ington. probably simultaneously with
the opening Of the extra session of the
new congress.
Only One Minority Partyf
There have been happenings
within q few days in congress
which point to the injection OF
trouble for the Republicans and Pro
gressives in the next house. II is
now currently reported and believed.
from what the Democratic leaders
have said privately. that it is the in.
tention Of their party in the house and
senate. when congress meets In extra
session. to recognize only one minor
ity party. namely. the Republican
On the face of 1t. 1t would not seem
that this would create any particular
amount OF trouble. but when the mat.
ter OF the committees is taken into
consideration and the present method
OF appointing members to them ia
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