The Washington herald., 1912-08-18
HOUSE VOTES FOR
ONE BATTLEsAIP
Caucus Dictum 0beyed by All but
Seven Democrats-Repub-
licans Split.
REPRESENTATIVE SULZER
RETIRES FROM CHAMBER
Former Leader in Fight for Two
Ships Refuses to Join
Democrats.

Action taken in the House of Repre-
sentatives yesterday assures the incor-
poration in this years naval appropria-
ton bill of a provision authorizing the
construction of one battleship. The fight
for two battleships was lost in the House
as result of the resolution passed in
the Democratic caucus a week or so ago
declaring for one Dreadnought only. The
fight over the naval bill In the House
yesterday was brief. It was plain from
the beginning that practically ali the
Democrats and many Republicans were
opposed to an authorization for two bat
tleships, and the pro-navy men, therefore.
did not waste any time. They contend
ed themselves with a declaration of op-
position TO the Democratic naval policy.
Representative Foss of Illinois. the
ranking Republican member Of the House
Naval Committee. led the fight for two
battleships. At the end OF an hour
speech he moved concurrence in the SEN
ate amendment providing funds for two
dreadnaughts This was defeated by
vote of $50 to 179. Mr.. Foss arraigned
the small navy" programme Of the
House Democrats.
A Question of Patriotism.
when 1t comes to a question of honor
to the flag. when it comes to question
ford TO place party programmes above
national welfare and personal patriot
ism.' Mr.. Foss declared.
Representative Kinkead of New Jer-
sey. a Democrat, spoke for two battle
ships. He declared that on questions
affecting the navy he would not be
bound by a party caucus. He urged his
associates to ignore the will of the eau
Gus. and vote for two battleships. Il
hold my allegiance to the flag higher
than my allegiance to party he said.
Seven Democrats. in addition to Rep
resentative Kinkead. ignored the dictum
of the caucus and followed the lead OF
Representative Foss. They were: Rep
resentatives Hamill. of New Jersey;
Reilly. of Connecticut: Lee, of Pennsyl-
vania; Murray and Curley, of Massa-
chusetts; o'Shaughnessy. of Rhode Is
land and Maher, of New York.
Seventeen Republicans recorded them
selves in opposition to two battleships-
They were: Representatives Anthony,
Campbell. Young. and Jackson. of Kan
sas; Davis. Lindbergh. and Steenerson.
Of Minnesota: Helgensen, Of North Da-
kota: Mckinley. of Illinois, Mondell. of
Wyoming: Norris, Of Nebraska: Willis
and Switzer. of Ohio: ]. NJ. G. Smith
and wedemeyer, of Michigan; Parran,
of Maryland, and Bartholdt, Of Mis-
souri,
SuIzer Leaves Chamber.
Representative Sulzer OF New York,
who led the fight of the pro-navy men,
bers in the five caucuses held on the
subject. did not vote. Mr.. Sulzer was
not disposed to jump the party reser-
yation, and when the navy bill was
talled up he left the House chamber
Mr.. Sulzer's explanation was that a fight
for two battleships would have been
futile, in view of the fact that an over
whelming number of the House MEM
bers were opposed to such an exten-
sion at this time.
On motion of Representative Padgett of
Tennessee. chairman OF the House Naval
Committee, the naval bill was sent to
conference. The conferees were not in
structed on battleships, but it is the
understanding that one capital ship OF
war will be authorized. An informal
agreement TO this effect has already been
reached by the conferees. In fact, it was
this agreement, announced in the last
Democratic caucus, that broke the move
nent for two battleships. Chairman
Padgett announced at the time that the
Senate was willing to compromise on,
one Dreadnought. A formal agreement
will be reached on the naval bill to-
r:orrow. 1t will probably be submitted
to the President Tuesday.