The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-08
Two Naval Measures Pass House of Representatives
 Without Dissent
ALL PARTY LINES
 ARE OBLITERATED
Clark and Mann Fight Side by Side. Midshipmen to Re Increased-Pro- vide for Facilities to Build
 Battleships A and A

Washington, February T.-Speaker Clark and Republican Leader Mann fought side by side in the House today for adequate national defense. With party lines ob- liberated, most of the members followed their leaders and two navy measures passed without dissenting vote. One 10 provide for adding 300 midshipmen to The entering class at Annapolis next July, passed IFS to O, and the other, to equip navy wards for construction of battleships As and A, passed without g. roll call.
 MT. Mann tried to put the anti-pre- paredness advocates record by calling for a division on the naval academy olii' but there were no negative responses.
 ACTS FOR KITCHEN
 The appearance of Speaker Clark on the door to champion preparedness measures aroused wide interest. Rumors persisted that he would take active charge of the fight to increase the army and navy, Ma tority Leader Kitchin having joined the opposition.
 Immediate improvement of the navy by designing new battleships along the lines af the best now in use, doubling the membership of both Annapolis and West Point creation of many additional regi- ments for the army and short term enlist Bments to produce 8 reserve were among suggestions made by the speaker. He said he expected to discuss the subject of pre- paredness generally soon.
 ! MT. Mann reiterated his previous pleas
 1i1 lad in, maneuvering the bills to passage. This Is not the time for crimination and recrimination," said he; Tit is not the time to find fault with that which has been. 1t is the time for all to join hands for ahat which may come"
 The debate went far afeld from the measures under consideration, extending to the general subject of military pre- paredness. Cue ssanssrals giat af the speaker and the minority leader battling together for administration measures while the majority leader sat silently in the back of the House attracted crowds to the galleries and members rushed to ths aapr from their offices and committee rooms.
 URGES HASTE
 MT. Clark urged naSto III 6StliHS ueW battleships into commission. He asked Chairman Padgett of the naval commit tee why it would not be a good plan to pattern the two new battleships, Nos. 4S and A. after the best United States ship now afoat and get them completed quickly.
 Simply because" MT Padgett said, 'the chief of the bureau of construction told us that he had plans already worked out that would make decided im- provements gainst torpedo attack
 'Why do they not put those plans into operation?" the speaker continued.
 They will" MT. Padgett said. "as soon as they get authority provided in this resolution
 We shall all die of old age before they are completed at this rate," the speaker responded.
 Representative Padgett told the House that three ships-the Oklahoma, Nevada and Pennsylvania--regard as the three best in the world at the time they were designed and laid down, would be com pleted and put in commission during this year-two of them in the early summer, and one in the autumn.
 If any emergency should arise," he added. "a very small resolution of Con- gress carrying the necessary appropria- tion could provide for extra ships"