The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-21
THLMAN URGES $3OO,OOO,OOO
FOR NAVYAND NO PORK STEAL
Calls for Rapid Construction of Ships GAS Though We
ExpectedWar neutrality-suspicious. be Ashamed
to Vote for River and Harbor Bill.

WASHINGTON. May Ex-senator Till
man OF South Carolina. chairman Of the
Senate Naval Committee. urged to-day n
1900, 00O. 900 appropriation ito begin at
once--and hurriedly, as though we ex-
pected war immediately--the construc-
ton of the necessary ships Of the most
improved types to give us a really first
class navy"
Senator Tillman made his statement
IN n speech on the Senate floor. vio-
lently ~denounclng the river and harbor
bill. carrying $4,000. 900. which no de-
scribed as criminal" waste in view OF
the condition OF the avs. He pointed
u that two battle cruisers Of the latest
type could be built with Inc si3.0 200, 900.
you vote for my steal and I will vote
slogan In Congress. Trllman declared.
This policy Of urging a rivers and har-
bors bill Of this kind Is inexplicable."
he continued. 1T is as though men were
wild and crazy over loca, affairs and
have no broad national grasp at all. Why
should we spend all this money In the
face OF the fact that we arc compelled
10 Increase our taxes In order TO get
money to run our Government this year"
Il cannot understand such a policy at
all. ! do not want 10 hurt anybody's
feelings or wound sensibillties. but to me
Ibis expenditure would be criminal under
the circumstances which now exist. ]
have not the figures or even the approx
mute data and can only guess. but ]
would be willing to vote $500. 900. 600. II
necessary. TO begin at once-and hur-
riedly. as though We expected a war inn
mediately-thc construction of the neces-
sary ships OF the mos, improved types 10
give us Il really first class navy.
Wants q First Class Dock.
Il see the House Committee on Naval
Affairs proposes Ave battle cruisers Of
the most approved type. When the naval
appropriation bill comes over from the
House. IL there is no provision in 1t or
adequate provision In IL. for docking
these monsters. ! expect to have some-
thing to say in regard to how we can
get the first dock large enough on the
Atlantic to repair them in one year ami
a half.
Let us appropriate as many moneys
as the board Of army engineers in charge
III THESE improvements tell US on tn".r
honor are vitality important n Of m
Mediate necessity and vote every dollar
that We spend this year to putting he
country In a condition to defend itself.
~ am not panic stricken nor fright
ened, but when / consider the possible
dangers that may confront us as a peo-
pie when this European war is over. with
millions Of trained soldiers, veterans anil
bankrupt treasures throughout Europe
and defenceless America, the richest ma
ton now on the globe. with accumulated
billions brought to our shores by this
war l ,remble at the thought Of what
could happen.
Armies are not created in a day. il
takes six months or a year to drill men
and fainiliarize them with the Use IF
arms so that they know how to fight
and defend themselves. Otherwise they
can be slaughtered like so many sheep.
And a navy Is even Of slower growth.
at takes from two to three years TO
build modern ships OF war, depending