The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-07-25
HOUSE DEMOCRATS
VOTE NO BAHlESH|P
TO on Record for the Third
Time in Caucus Against
Naval Extension.
OPPOSES WILSON IDEA
Leader Underwood Also Favored
the Resolution for One
HreadnOught.

wAsutNGroN. July 24.-The Democrats
u tho House went on record again to-
nigh, as opposed to any addition to the
battleship fleet.
This unexpected action apparently
destroys all hope of the navy for OBJ
aiming even one battleship from the
present session OF Congress. 1t means
tho breaking Of the policy which this
Government has maintained for several
wears of adding two battleships a year.
II threatens our present position as
a naval power compared with England,
Germany and Japan. all of whom have
adopted ambitious plans for laying down
dreadnoughts.
Tho action Of the House Democrats
vas taken in opposition to the wishes
If Leader Underwood and also. 1t Is
understood in opposition to the desire OF
Woodrow Wilson, who has expressed
the hope in recent conferences with
Democrats that the House would au-
thorlzc at least one battleship. 1t 10
contcnded even by several Democratic
leaders that to-night's action by the
caucus was violation Of the plank
adopted at Baltimore which pledges the
party to provide for an adequate navy"
for national defence.
Considerable comment was caused by
the fact that Speaker Clark voted in
the caucus against any addition to the
bat,leship fleets. To-nights caucus was
the third that the Democrats have held
on this subject and In each instance
they have voted against appropriations
,ur any additions to the navy
The question Of public buildings fig
urcs in to- nights vote as II has figured
IA the two previous votes by tine Demo-
rats. The no battleship programme was
adopted by the Democrats in the first
Instance because a lot Of them tried 10
use 1t as a club TO force an authorize :
lion for public buildings bill. Members
u. congress who have failed to accom-
pi.h anything on this public building
question are still peevish and many OF
,Aem continued to stand out against any
bat,leship appropriation.
Leader Underwood entered the caucus
determined 10 speak in support Of the
radcett resolution. Representative Bur
lrson If Texas. who Is opposed to battle
ships, was in the chair The whole affair
mad evidently been prearranged without
he knowledge Of the responsible leaders.
only a bare majority of the House
Democrats were present at the caucus.
The fight against the battleship pro-
gramme was led by Representative Bur-
nett Of Alabama, who has insisted from
the beginning that not a dollar should
he allowed for battleships unless $4,000
000 or more was provided for public
hIiidlngs,
\ resolution authorizing one battle
ship was offered by Representative
Padsett Of Tennessee. chairman OF the
House Naval Committee. II was de-
feated by vote Of 20 to 62. Previously
Representative Sulzer OF New York and
Representative Broussard Of Louisiana
mad presented resolutions releasing
Democrats from their former caucus
pledge against battlesnipe.
Mr.. Padgett expressed the opinion
that II the party was to keep faith
with the platform pledge as to the navy
and 10 maintain the navy at Its present
relative state Of efficiency at least one
oattleship should be authorized. He
expressed keen disappointment over the
outcome Of the caucus He IL chair
man of the House confcrees dealing
with the Senate Conferees on the naval
I'M
y must obey Instructions and ] shall
- on the log in opposition to battle
snlrs until frost comes II necessary"
said Mr. Padg.tt.
the ba'tlcship fight now goes back
:" the Senate and House conferees. The
senate Incorporated an amendment in
mo navy bill providing for two battle
SAips, bur was willing TO compromise
with The House on one. The action of
me caucus, although dsapproved by
many House Democrats. In likely to
result In prolonged fight. Senate
ead"rs say they will insist on one
a't"ship or no naval bill will be
lasscd this session. House leaders de-
care that in view of the caucus deci-
son they Will stand pat.
IN" passage of the entire naval bill
= therefore mcnaccd as n result Of to-
nShts developments. There Is talk
.Aa' aS result Of the caucus action
may b" necessary to put through a
resolution rccnacting the naval bill
iasred year ago.
moro again complication IL pre-
"H''d' TIL" naval bill passo,' a yea,
"E' provided for two battlcships. The
NRa'l"n Is serious and fear Is felt tina,
no ait.tud" of the Democrats agains'
n"'r"Ship construction will lengthen the
Nl' uI tho session
'd'"cat's Of "A greater navy. regard.
"l party, are chagrined over thu
"io'iN"n I" navy extension They poip,
'"' English, French and German ,
naval programme all OF which con-
''nlh'" extensions involving the ex-
''N''tir" of millions = dollars o.
'-'' noHHhts and lighter craft.