New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-03-28
DEMOCRATS REFUSE
BATTLESH|PS AGAIN
Caucus, Swayed by Plea for
Economy, Insists on Strik-
ing Blow at Navy.
"PORK BARREL" KILLED, TOO
Advocates of Public Buildings
Carry Point, but Lose Their
Bill-Action Binding
This Time.
From The Tribune Bureau. J


Washington. March 27.-Carried away
by pleas for helated economy" made by
Representative Underwood and other
House leaders the Democratic caucus
voted again tonight that there shall be
no authorization for battleships at this
was declared to be binding as a party
policy, as the mo battleship" motion
was carried by an overwhelming viva
voCe vote The caucus also voted against
any public buildings bill
Representative Murray. of Massachu-
setts. asked for a record vote. but the
willy Democrats not wishing TO go on
record against an adequate navy. de-
feated Mr.. Murrays motion. III to 25.
This was the only definite vote in the
caucus, which lasted for three hours and
was marked hy much heated oratory.
The caucus tonight was called at the
instance OF the friends Of the navy, who
hoped that the Democrats would rescind
their former action declaring against the
customary authorization for naval in
crease. 1t was asserted that the former
action was not binding.
Il guess the action tonight is suffi
ciently binding" said Representative
Burleson, the caucus chairman, follow
ing the vote. A number of Democrats
however. reserved the right to vote for
battleships on the ground Of pledges 10
their constituents"
A Pork Barrel" UItimatun,.
Representative Padgett, chairman ot
the Naval Committee. moved that the
caucus authorize one hattleship and one
armored cruiser. Representative Bur
nett, representing the advocates of the
public buildings pork barrel" served
notice that no battleships could be au-
thorized unless public buildings bill
also was permitted This sealed the
fate of the naval increase.
Representative James. disregardins
the demand for more time 10 discuss thu
issues, suddenly moved TO table the Pad
gett motion. along with the proposed
Burnett amendment The James motion
carried. and the caucus adjourned al
most before the battleship advocates
realized that they had again been
beaten.
Representatives Underwood, Fitz-
gerald, Rainsy, James, Ktchin and
others made speeches. with economy
as the keynote.
Mr.. Underwood talked OF a possible
deficit in the Treasury II the Democrats
did not call halt on appropriations.
The majority leader and Presidential
candidate protested that he was the
friend Of the navy, but there was no
need he said, 10 authorize battIeships
at this session at the risk Of a Treasury
deficit. Remembering tho $I5,occoOb
pension bill and the expenses Of the
House investigating committees, the
rank and file were won over by the
Underwood argument
Representatives Padgett. Talbot, Muir
ray and O'Shaunessy made futile pleas
for at least one new Dreadnought.
Burnett Explains Attitude.
The PORK bbTGel 'ldIlIiphS' I'IIi-
prising pie hungry Democrats, went into
the caucus with the dOgged determina-
tion to fight any authorization for bat
tleships unless Il was accompanied by a
recognition Of their right to a public
buildings bill. Representative Burnett,
Of Alabama a member Of the Public
Buildings Committee, gave the follow
ing Illuminating explanation OF the at
utude Of his fellow warriors:
"A lot Of these Democratic fellows
were elected on promises that they would
get something for the folks back home.
During the campaign they had To answer
attacks like this: If you send IA Demo-
crat up there you won't get anything
"Now these new members are in fix.
If we appropriate money for battleships,
pensions. Investigations and everything
else, and none for public buildings. why,
these bows Will have To return home and
admit that they couldn't get anything.
We are willing TO compromise on one
battleship and q $2OO0O,000 public build
Ings bill, but we are going to fight To the
last ditch against battleships unless Il
runblic buildings bill IS authorized. The
a.