New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-16
BIG NAVY MEN
WIN In HOUSE
Senate Plan for 157
Ships in 3 Years
Accepted.
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington, Aug. 15.-Preparedness
won its greatest victory Of the year to-
day, when the House voted by over
whelming maiorities- 20 accept the Sen
ate building programme and increase
in personnel for the navy.
The little navy men, led by Demo-
cratic Floor Leader Kitchin, made their
last stand against the building pro-
gramme, which provides for sixty-six
ships, to be begun as soon as prac-
ticable, including four dreadnoughts
and four battle-cruisers, and total
Of 157 vessels to be begun within three
years. But the House approved the
plan by a vote of 2S3 to 81. OF the
fifty-oue, thirty-hve were Democrats,
fifteen Republicans and one Socialist,
Mr.. London, of New York.
Then the House voted to accept the
Senate amendment increasing the num-
Der of enlisted men to 10000 and Civ
ing the President power in event Of
war to increase this number to $4,000.
The viva voce vote against this was so
small that no rollcall was demanded.
To Settle Minor Differences.
There still remain many small diff
ferences between the House and Senate
which will be considerd in conference,
their settlement having been postponed
until the points of much greater i'm
portance should be decided. The con-
ferrees will begin the settlement OF
these differences tomorrow.
Democrats voting against the Sem
ate building programme were Ayers,
Kansas; Bailey, Pennsylvania; Black,
Texas; Blackmon, Alabama; Buchanan,
Illinois; Burnett, Alabama; Connolly,
Kansas; Cox, Indiana; Dies, Texas;
Doolittle, Kansas; Garrett, Tennessee;
Gray, Indiana; Hardy, Texas; Helver-
ing, Kansas; Hilliard, Colorado; Hud-
dleston, Alabama; Johnson, Kentucky;
Kitchin, North Carolina; McClintic,
Oklahoma; Page, North Carolina; Ran
dali, California; Shallenberger, Ne
braska; Shouse, Kansas; Sisson, Mis-
sissippi; Slayden, Texas; Steele, Iowa;
Taggart, Kansas; Tavenner, Illinois;
Taylor, Arkansas; Thomas, Kentucky;
Thompson, Oklahoma; Tillman, Arkan-
sas; vandyke, Minnesota; Watkins,
n Il
Republicans voting against: Ander-
son. Minnesota; Campbell: Kansas;
CHAMPION. Michigan; Davis, Minnesota;
Dillon, South Dakota; Ellsworth, Min
nesota; Haugen, Iowa; Helgesson,
Kinkaid, Nebraska; Lenroot, Wiscon-
sin; Mondell, Wyoming; Morgan, Okla
homa; Nelson, Wisconsin; Young,
North Dakota (15}.
Socialist, London, New York.
The only big navy man who made
any protest against the parts OF the
bill agreed on by the conferrees was
Representative Britten, of Illinois, who
objected to the system Of promotion
and compulsory retirement worked out.
This system provides for the promo
ton OF officers after they attain the
rank Of lieutenant commanders by q
commission OF nine rear admirals, OF
whom six must vote TO promote before
promotion is made in any case. OFF,
GERS reaching specific ages without be-
ing promoted are retired from the SER
vice.
"All an officer in the navy has 70
do now TO become a rear ADMIRAL
Chairman Psdgett. "is to
stay in the service and avoid being
court martialled. He steps upon the
bottom rung Of a ladder when he
leaves Annapolis. and this ladder is
an endless chain leading to
retirement as rear admiral and az
a compensation Of $4,000 a year.
Mann Praises Programme.
Republican Leader Mann praised the
building programme. He declared 1t
was carrying out in the main the pro
gramme the Republican side had
fought for when the bill was before
the House originally. before the Ad-
had been forced 10 adopt
a programme Of real preparedness by
the sentiment of the country.
al want to keep out of war he said,
"but We should be prepared 70 protect
our rights at home and abroad. The
credit will belong TO the Republican
side. for me votes that will pass this
larger programme
Representative Page, Of North Caro-
lima, Secretary Danielss own state,
Continued On page 4. column