The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-24
ONE SUPERINTENDENT
FOR TWO SMALLER SHIPS
House Approves Measure to Sell
BattIeships Idaho and Missis-
sippi to Greece.
LITTLE NAVY MEN LOSE FIGHT
Authorization Comes Unexpectedly
After President Wilson Resurrects
Proposition and Uses His Influence
in Behalf of Favorable Vote.

Washington, June 23.-Authority was
given president Wilson to-day by the
flouse to sell to Greece the two small
battieships Idaho and mississippi. for
the total actual cost of their construc-
ton.
Under this authorization, the money
received from the sale of the two bat
tieshins must lie turned into the Treas
ury for use in the construction of one
battieship Of the Drcadnought tyne
The cost of the two small battleships
was about Sll.150.000. The total cost
of battleship OF the tirst-class is
about Sl5.00c.O00.
AS the Senate has passed the author
i:atioI of sale OF the Idaho and Miss
issippi. the House action to-day in :
sures the authorization this year i'm the
pending navy appropriation bill OF
tire" battlcships OF the first class.
The House vote asserting to the sale
OF the two battleships was ia to 81.
and came after a bitter fight had been
made on the proposition by the small
navy" man
ARGUES AGAINST NEED
Or THIRD BATTIESHIs
Representative Mann Republican
leader. was defeated in an effort to
prevent use Of the money from the sale
for construction OF a battleship of the
first class by Il vote of 154 to. 103. Mr.
Mann argued against the need of the
third battlcship authorization at the
present time. and said the money from
the sale OF two small ships should go
INTO, The Treasury for general use.
House authorization for the sale
came unexpectedly. 1t had been aban-
done1 last Friday night by Chairman
Padfett of the House Naval Affairs
Committee. with the consent of Score
tary Daniels. following q storm of dis
approval from the little navy" men,
President Wilson resurrected the prop
osition by getting back of Ii, despite
the protests OF Turkey. His influence
forced The favorable vote.
Urging the sale of the two small
ships. Mr.. Padgett said that because Of
their lack OF speed the two ships weak
ened the effectiveness of the battleship
fleet TO which they were assigned. Re-
Gently, In attempts to keep mp with
the faster ships of the Atlantic Fleet
they had broken their main shafts and
cost much money in repairs
MANN RESENTs DICTATIoN
IS TO USE OF PROCEEDS
Representative Mann said he did not
oppose the sale of tho Idaho and the
mississippi. but he resented the action
OF the executive department I'm dictat-
ing to the House what use to make Of
the money. The sale was supported by
Messrs. Underwood. Murdoch, Mann and
other House leaders.
Mr.. Nouros, the Greek charge. and
Rustcm Bey, the Turkish ambassador
Issued statements to-day about the bat
tleship purchase. Mr.. Vouros insisted
the battleships were necessary to
Greece to pervent a war with Turkey
which would otherwise be brought
about through the seizure by Turkey,
OF adjacent Greek possessions. EIe de-
clared that Greece intends to keep pace
with Turkeys naval expansion.
Both Greece and Turkey are having
built one battleship.
PROPOSAL PROVIDES
IMMEDIATE; FUNDS
The action of the House allows the
House managers In conference to agree
to the Senate amendment, with alter
attons. providing specific appropriations
for the new Dreadnought, which will
cost s.S00.Oo0 exclusive of armor and
armament. The proposal provides i'm
mediate funds of S2,635, 900 to begin
work on the vessel as soon as the sale
Is consummated.
The proposal was agreed to In spIte
OF the charge by Republicans on tho
noor that tho sale meant "entangIIng
European alliances" and would involve
tho United States In the Balkan
troubles.
Representative Padgett declared
that the administration believed tho
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