New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-01
House Republicans Make
Addition of 2,730 Men to
Committee Figure.
PROVIDE S3,500,000
FOR AVIATION FUND
Government ArmOr Plant, to
Cost S11,OOO,OO0. Stays In
Appropriation Bill.
From r,s r-fhun. Bureau J

Washington. May Sl.-PrcSsing the
lighting on the naval bill to-day. the
Republicans i'm the House virtually
forced the Democrats 10 increase the
naval personnel by ESQ men more
than the Navy Committee proposed
while the aviation appropriation was
increased from 100000, as allowed
bv the Democrats Of the committee. to
S3.5Oo.OOO.
An increase 81 $500 men was pro
posed IN a substitute by Representa-
tive Roberts, Of Massachusetts. This
would Rave increased the number from
81 800 to $4,000. Seeing the strength
behind the amendment, Chairman Pad
rett tried TO forcs a compromise. Mr..
Roberts insisted on q vote, and was
defeated by twelve votes-95 to ~.
The Padgett amendment, adding 2,7So
men, then prevailed. making the total
increase provided by the bill 1890.
A strong effort will be made when
the bill gets into the House and rec
ord votes can be had 70 force through
some more adequate provision for pro-
vidinT men for the ships already in
commission. Advocates Of a real navy
have high hopes of success in this as
well as in providing for the construc-
ton Of two dreadnoughts.
The big victory Of the day for pre-
raredness advocates. however, was on
aviation. Fourteen Democrats joined
the Republicans in adding Sl,500,o0O to
the appropriation, making the total
81 800 900. These Democrats were
Messrs. Dupre, Wingo, Buchanan, Gal
lacher, lgOe. Thomas, Carlln, flnley'
Venabie. Eacan. Driscoll, Wilson, Stone
and McDermott.
Government Armor Plant Stands.
Most of the discussion to-day was on
the government armOr plant, 10 cost
SI1 900. OO0. which. without change from
the form in which It passed the Senate
as A separate bill, was included IN the
navy bill by a vote of l65 TO 81. lwen-
tv-four Republicans voted for II.
The concession by Chairman Padgett
On the personnel amendment, virtually
admitting that the ships were at pres
emit undermanned, was seized by Repub-
lican leaders as a confession Of guilt
by the Navy Department Mr.. Padgett
defended it. declaring that 1t proposed
TO maintain the crews Of the ships held
in reserve at 80 per cent strength IN
stead Of 40 per cent, as at present. lie
read from British reports made just
before the outbreak Of the war, showing
that the peace strength of the British
navy was about ten men fewer per
thousand tons Of ships than the peace
strength Of the United States navy.
Representative A. p Gardner wrung
from Mr. Padgett, however, the admls
sion that the British navy had a real
navy reserve. while the reserve for the
United States navy consists of only 403
men, not counting the militia reserve.
Mr. Gardner inquired if the Secre-
tsry Of the Navy and Rear Admiral
Blue. one Of Mr. Daniels ardent sup
porters In the navy. had not testified
year before that no more men were
needed. Mr.. Padgett sought 10 Justify
this, but Mr. Britten declared that in
December, 1914, Just before the Secre-
tary and Rear Admiral Blue had tes-
tilted that no more men were needed.
the General Board had declared that
the navy should have 1860 more men.
The increase Of 1920 now carried by
the bin is therefore far short of what
the General Board thought necessary
eighteen months ago.
Only Thirteen Big Ships Manned
Representative Roberts read into the
Record an official list by the Navy De-
psrtment,. not intended for publication,
which showed that only thirteen Of the
big ships Of the navy were really in
full commission from the standpoint OF
enough men TO run them.
Mr.. Brtten dwelt at length on the
fact that the Atlantic Fleet could not
mannuvre properly because, owing 70
the lack Of men enough 20 man all the
scout craft. the feet was deprived Of
its eyes. He denounced the war game
held off the port of New York n year
ago as farce for this reason.
Secretary Daniels's prediction 20
Congress last year that he navy re-
serve scheme proposed by Mr.. Padgett
would put $500 men in the reserve the
first year OF its operation was de
rounced by Mr. Gardner. who pointed
10 the fact that only 403 men are IN
the reserve so far.
The Republican floor leader. Mr.
Mann, declared that the question Of
personnel was one Of the most import
tant matters in the bill, especially
since the ships authorized could not be
built for several years, while the men
could be enlisted and at once put
under training so as 20 make of value
the ships now owned, but not really in
commission
A bonus system 70 encourage speedy
building OF warShips by private con