Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-12-07
Estimates Given to Con-
uress Provide for an
Increase of Millions.
TWO NEW BATTLESHIPS
Prouram Also Calls for Six Tor
pedo Boat OeStroyerS,
Eight Submarines.

Washington. D. c., Dec. THE ma
inns military and naval expenses the
-sxt fiscal year not including certain
6xed expenses would amount 20 @256.-
sA50OO compared with S251.25O 900
during the current year. under the
plsnsof the administration as embodied
IN estimates sdbmitted to congress to-
dav. This amount provides for the
regular army, the military academy,
ne militia so far as its cost 10 the fed
sral government is concerned, fOrtifi-
cations. arsenals. military posts and
the naval establishment. including the
uroposed naval building program and
Increase in the navy heretofore au-
tho-ized The tentative admiuistra-
ton naval building program for the
us1r fiscal year is for two battleships,
six torpedo boat destroyers. eight or
more submarines, one OF the seagoing
type and seven or more of coast de
fsnse type, one oiler and one gunboat.
HILLS and outfits Of these vessels alone
would cost almost ten millions during
the coming year and their arms and
armament nine and a half millions.
Submarine mines. an important factor
Il the European conflict, are provided.
President Opposes Gardner Plan.
President Wilson announced today
he was opposed TO Representative
GzTdners plan Ior investigating the
Preparedness OF the United States for
NATIONAL defense, because he thought
Il Al unwise way OF handling a -ques-
ton which might create a very un-
favorable international impression"
Gardner called on the president to-
day at the latter's request, to discuss
his resolution for an investigating
commission After Gardner's call the
following was given out at the White
house:
The president told Gardner he was
opposed TO the method OF inquiry pro
posed by Gardner. because he thought
II an unwise way OF handling a ques-
ton which might create very unfa-
Torsble international impressions. He
stated 10 Gardner that he was entirely
n favor OF fullest inquiry by commit
tees OF congress and there were no
facts in possession OF the executive
apartments which were not at the
Disposal Of those committees. During
he call Gardner read the following
tTo questions to the president:
There are two ways Of defeating
ny resolution. II can be defeated on
Z square yea and nay vote, or it can
be pigeonholed in the committee on
rules. Which course do you adviser
will YOU authorize the army and
navy officers to testify before the rules !
committee on my invitation, either
with or without restrictive instruc- F.
tionsg"
Will Push Resolution.
Gardner refused TO say what answer .
vas given 10 his questions White .
house officials said the formal state .
ment given out would be the only .
Comment on the call. Gardner said he .
would continue TO press for passage
his resolution He will consult other
members Of congress TO learn their
views. Prior 70 Gardner's callChairman
Tillman Cf the senate naval commit
tee. discussed national defenses with
the president He said he and the
president agreed that the United
States should have an adequate navy
II accordance with the declarations OF
TIE last democratic platform He
added naval experts would have 70
cetermine what an adequate navy was.
Kahn for Number of Submarines.
Representative Kahn, ranking re- I
publican, declared himself for build
Ing program 70 include a large num-
Der Of submarines, torpedo boats,
more barIeships, and an increase in
aayy enlistments. He endorsed the {
'eheme OF short term enlistment 70
'rovide mobile army Of 100000 and
national guard OF 100000.