The Washington times., 1913-02-21
PLAN F|L|BUSTER
ON NAVAL BUDGET
Economy Democrats Lining Up
Forces for Fight on Measure
As Reported in House.

The economy Democrats are lining up
tIcipation of the early consideration Of
the $l46.0oO,00o NJ Il appropriation BILL
The naval budgsi reported late yester-
day afternoon. may be reached before
adjournment today.
ffbuster against the naval bill is
regarded as certain. The measure was
held in committee for ten days after
me final draft was perfected, this de-
lay being the result of the economy
conferences' at which threats ofs re-
can were made against such Demo-
cratic members of the committee as
voted for a two battleship program.
Chairman PadEett reported the bill
late yesterday. The report followed
a stormy session OF the commit
ice, at which final attempt
was made to reduce the amount ap-
propriated in the measure and to strike
from il authorization for two battle
ships. The small navy" men were
voted down after n two-hours' wrangie
in the committee room.
The naval bill as. reported carries
sl46.61S,364.53, which is Approximate
ly S29,000,000 more than the total of
a similar bill reported by Mr.. Pad
gett's committee last year. The COM
mittee voted ten day ago to bring out
the bill finally presented today, and,
in the interim, the economy Demo-
Gratis in the House have been threat
ening the recall of all Democratic
members on the committee who stood
by the two battleship program.
At the insistence of the economists
many OF whom believe in a small navy
but big pork barrel" Chairman
Padgett called his committee together
for a final session. The voices of
angry Democrats fioated through the
transom of the closed committee
room, and the session ended in dis
order. after repeated attempts had
been made to reduce the amount of
the naval budget.
gested that Mr.. Padgett call the COM
mittee together to consider a minor
bill recently passed by the Senate.
Il shall not convene the committee
again for any purpose" said Mr.. Pad
gett, there is too much fire and
birthstone here"
The economy Democrats are now pre-
pairing to flibuster against the naval
bill, and to throw II over into the next
session. 1t Is estimated that from thirty
to forty Democrats will employ obstruc-
tfvS tactics when the naval bill is called
up. Meanwhile, the economy conference
still has to dispose of the Sisson reso-
luton demanding the recall Of all
two-battleship Democrats on the COM
mittee
At the outset of the meeting Of the
Naval Affairs Committee motions were
made by Mr.. Tribble and others to re-
consider the vote by which the bill was
ordered reported ten days ago. Chair
man Padgett neld the motions out CT
order. asserting that the vote on the
bill was a closed incident. An appeal
was taken from the chairs decision,
0v,A H. . t. = le fNo
combining with the Republicans, sus-
tained the chair.
Mr. Gregg, a Texas Democrat, moved
that the chairman be instructed to offer
on the floor committee amendment
providing for only one battleship. The
motion was defeated Il 10 Q. The fol-
lowing Democrats joined with the seven
Republican members Of the committee
and stood pat on two-battleship au-
thorization
Mason of Arkansas, Riordan of New
York Estopinal of Louisiana, Hobson
of Alabama, and Lee of Pennsylvania
Mr.. Tribble then offered a series of
amendments proposing 20 reduce the
total of the bill. Points of order few
across the committee table, there were
loud charges and counter charges re-
garding "extravagance." and the COM
mittee suddenly adjourned with Mr..
Tribble demanding recognition for ad-
ditional economy amendments. Mr..
Psdgett, in tired and harassed frame
of mind, then wandered into the House
chamber and reported the bill which
had been held up by Democratic
sQuabbling for days
As reported. the bill authorizes 2
building program Of two new battle
ships, six destroyers, four submarines,
one supply ship and one transport
The battleships are to cost not to ex-
coed s., i25. 900 each. which is exclusive
of armor and armament
The bill carries an appropriation of
81. go, 4l6 to continue construction of
vessels heretofore authorized and to
begin work on the battleships and aux
iliaries recommended in the present