Evening star., 1913-02-25
House Discusses Means of
Providing Fuel for Navy.
DEBATE LASTS TWO HOURS
Members Argue Over Item in Naval
Appropriation Bill.
SERVICE TERM OF OFFICERS.
Amendment Adopted Eliminating
the Four Years Spent in the
Annapolis Academy.

| For nearly two hours the question of
coal for the navy was under debate
| in the House today. An item provid-
ing $4,000 for the Investigation of
| Alaskan coal to determine whether it
is suitable for use brought about the
discussion, and the item was fina ly
stricken from the bill on a point Of
| order made by Representative Booher
| of Missouri
Mr.. Booher claimed that the coal Of
Alaska is being investigated by the gov
ernment through the bureau of mines.
and, therefore, there was no necessity for
the Navy Departments making such an
| investigation. Representative Hobson Of
Alabama replied that the navy would have
| to make its own tests before it would
| be willing to use the coal. Representa-
| tive Olmsted Of Pennsylvania told the
house that as a member OF the Ballinger
| Pinchot investigating committee he had
| heard a great deal about Alaska coal,
| and that he was convinced there was
coal In Alaska which was suitable for
use by the navy.
He said there had been SO much agita-
tion over this question that public opn-
ION had been aroused against any attempt
| to open up these coal fields. At present,
ne said the people of Alaska are paying
$l4 TO $50 ton for coal, although they
are living right over rich coal beds which
tLey cannot touch. He urged that some
legislation be enacted permitting the
opening up Of the coal fields there.
Restriction Upon Transportation.
Representative Murray of Massacau-
setts offered an amendment providing
| that in time of peace the navy should
not expend any money for the transpor-
tation of coal from the east for use by
the Pacific coast fleet. He said that the
navy was paying an enormous sum Of
| money every year. more than a million
dollars, for the transportation o. such
| coal from the east. He argued that the
California and other places along the
Pacific coast in time of peace.
Mr.. Hobson said that the passage Of
! such an amendment would prevent the
quantities of htgh-grade coal, needed
| in time of war. from the east to coal
ing stations in the Pacific.
Representative Kahn OF California de-
clared that Japan was using a low
grade coal, mined in Manchuria, for
her navy in time Of peace, and said
there was no reason why the United
States should not use the coal pro-
duced on the Pacific coast and there
by save millions Of dollars.
Amendment Defeated.
Representative Littlepage of West Vir-
ginia, on the other hand. declared that
the navy could not use the Pacific coast
coal. because it was too low grade. either
in time of peace or war. Mr.. Murray's
| amendment was finally defeated.
Progress in the consideration of the
naval bill has been slow today. and it
seems likely that the measure will not
get through the House for another day
or two. The big fight over the pro-
vision for two battleships will not be
reached until many other provisions
are out of the way
Increases Length of Service.
During the consideration Of the naval
appropriation bill in the House yester-
day afternoon an amendment by Repre-
| sentative Hensley of Missouri was
| adopted which would provide that the
| four years spent at the Naval Academy
| shall not be counted as a part of the
service of naval officers. The effect
would be to increase the length of serv-
| ice required for retirement from thirty
| to thirty-four years. Representative Hob
son Of Alabama vigorously opposed the
amendment. insisting that the midship-
men actually were in service and subject
| to duty at the front in time Of war.
Two Amendments Defeated.
Representative ]. Hampton Moore Of
Pennsylvania offered an amendment to
paragraph appropriating 81 100000 for
| naval supplies and equipment, to pro-
hibit the purchase of any material
brought in under the "free ship ma
| terial'' provision Of the Panama canal
act. He declared that the democrats, by
| inserting this provision in the canal act,
| had upset the entire tariff system and
| put cheap European labor in competition
with the American workingman. The
amendment was defeated by strictly
party vote.
Another amendment to bar supplies and
| equipment manufactured by labor EN-
ployed in excess of eight hours met
similar fate.