The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-25
HOUSE DEMOCRATS
MAINTAIN POSITION
Will Not Recede From No
Battleship Programme
CAUCUS IS NOISY
Determined Effort to Compromise on
One Sea Fighter Is Voted Down
20 to 62-Brilliant Ora
tory Is Wasted

| Washington. July 24.-Democrats OF the
House. In caucus tonight. voted 70 to 62,
not to recede from their mo battleships''
programme in the naval appropriation
bill. determined effort was made TO
have the caucus approve a compromise
With the Senate. wiiese6yr tHe Iffouse
would agree to the construction OF one
sea fighter. Representative Fitzgerald,
chairman of the appropriations commit
tee. led the opposition to the proposal
on the ground of economy
The action of the caucus further COM
pleates the adjournment plans of the
leaders of both houses. The naval appro-
priation bill is in conference and today &
caucus was ordered ib an effort TO break
q deadlock that has prevailed for some
time with no apparent chance that It
could be broken. The Senate, committed
to two batteship building programme
was willing to compromise on one vessel
this year. 1t has expressed Its deter
minaton not to recede further.
Padgett Knows Not
what will be the effect of todays $
aetion?" Chairman Padgett of the House
naval affairs committee and leader of
the House conferees was asked when the
caucus adjourned.
Heaven alone knows he answered.
I'm just going to sit on the log How
| ever, wen probably be here until frost
arrives"
The caucus was a noisy one. Through
! the guarded doors the voices OF those
| for and against the batteship plan came
plainly. Those in favor of a greater
navy because of the approaching open
ing of the Panama canal wasted impas-
stoned oratory and sought the support
of the country members"
ad ipsietad that the demo-
cratic pledges of economy in government
administration made II imperativ that
the naval programme as already approved
by a previous House democratic caucus
should be adhered TO.
Representative Sulzer chairman Of the
foreign affairs committee, offered reso-
luton that two battleships be provided
and that objections to the Senate amend
ment be withdrawn Although Mr. Sulzer
had a number Of supporters, Chairman
Padgett moved to amend this PROPOSE
tion by substituting one such vessel,
which would be "the last word In naval
construction.
Underwood Supports Padgett
Majority Leader Underwood, Represer-
tative Murray of Massachusetts and Pou
of North Carolina. with several others.
supported Mr. Padgetts suggestions Mr..
Murray, who represents the district In
which the Chariestown navy yard Is To-
Gated. confessed he was In favor OF two
big fighting craft, but that in the pres
ent temper of the two houses he be-
Iieved compromise was necessary -
expedite public business
The debate was growing acrimonious
when Representative Burnett of Alabama
moved that the entire matter be tabled
There Immediately ensued a scene o.
confusion. but the demand for a roll call
on the proposal was carried with the re-
suit that the caucus voted to stand hrm
by its previous decision,
Several jnsffectual attempts were made
to have the caucus vote to release Its
members from the pledge exacted by
the previous caucus not TO vote for bat
tleships this year