The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-07-30
This, However, Will Not Be
Strong Enough to Make
Changes
OLIVER OF ALABAMA
CITES BAD FEATURES
Says Building Programme Entirely
Out of Proportion to Necessity of
Nation, and Legislation Will Give
Admiralty Too Much Power
ny HUGH w. ROBERTS

Washington, July 29.-(Special.)- Inas-
much as the president has ordered the
House conferees to support the Senate
amendments to the naval appropriation
bill, it is reasonably certain that the
practical revolt on the part of the dem
ocratic representatives will scarcely serve
a purpose.
There is lamentation because of the
continuous building programme agreed
upon, because of the personnel legislation
evidently written in the interest of the
naval officers, and because of the provi-
sions of the construction of unnecessary
dry docks at Charleston and Boston.
Representative Cannon, republican,
charges that the bill is so redolent of
graft that in comparison the rivers
and harbors measure is quite respectable
Representative Britten, democrat de-
clares that many of the Senate amend1
ments which the President has advocated
are identical with amendments proposed
in the House by republicans and re-
jected by democrats. Representative Cox
democrat, calls attention to a provision
which will create 81 additional rear adj
mirals. He also calls attention to pro-
vision which he declares will result in
millions being unnecessarily paid to re-
tired naval officers.
DIVERS VIEWS
Representative oliver of Alabama
member of the committee on naval af-
fairs, is another who does not indorse the
Senate amendment with which the Presi-
dent is enamored II do not favor the
continuous building programme" he said
today to the representative of The Age
Herald.
IT cannot see the wisdom in contract
ing just at the present time for 16 capitai
battleships. Every construction yard has
all the work it can discharge. Prices OF
labor and material are abnormally high
and the profit demanded by manufactur-
ers is abnormally high. 1t appears to ms
that the original and liberal House pro-
visions should have been adopted, espe-
cially as no danger is imminent, and as
Congress will be in session again in
three months charged with new build
ing programme.
Il cannot be reconciled either to the
construction of enormous dry docks at
Char leston and Boston when in my
opinion they are absolutely unnecessary
and personnel legislation in connection
with an appropriation bill is naturally
repugnant.
personnel legislation is necessary, Of
course, but it should stand apart from
an appropriation bill. and it should be
adopted only after hearings and thor-
ough investigation. The personnel legis-
lation attached to the naval appropriation
bill was adopted almost without debate.
1t was evidently prepared by line officers
in the interest of line officers. 1t creates
numerous additional rear admirals and
provides for easy retirements, and three
years after it's adoption the navy will be
in complete charge of the admiralty with
the Secretary of the Navy mere figure
head, But the revolt of House members
will, in all probability. amount to moth
ing. The President in this campaign year
is driving and driving hard"