The sun., 1916-08-18
HE'LL GATE CUT OUT
BY NAVY CONFEREES
Bill Accepted in Senate Ig.
norcs Urgent Request Of
President.

wAsHiNoroN. Aug. 1.-THE con.erees
on the naval appropriation bill failed TO
respond TO The urgent request OF the
President that they appropriate $5oo.o 900
for the Improvement OF the channel lead
ing from Long Island Sound to the
Brooklyn Navy Yard. Known as the
He'll Gate Improvement. The item was
knocked out OF the bill when the con-
ference report was submitted TO the
Senate to-day. II is not unlikely tina
the item will be offered as an amend
men, to the deficiency appropriation bill.
The Senate agreed TO the conference
report without debate. Senator Tillman.
who was chairman Of the naval con-
ferces. was compelled TO Yield his
f~aVor!.c project. the improvement o. the
Charleston Navy Yard. Two items in
the bill In the form of a Senate amend
ment aggregating $4,000 were Yielded
by Senator Tillman. one OF $4,000 for
enlarg!ns the dry dock at the Charleston
| yard and one for $500. 900 for a foundry
and forge. The enlargement; OF the dry
dock contemplated an ultimate expcndi-
ture of f.0S5. 900. The House con
ferees resisted this Amendment. Sena-
tor Tillman will take his chances Of get
ting the appropriation next year.
senate Wins Most Points,
The Senate conferees won on most OF
the contested items. They Welded, how
ever, on the House authorization that
the orders OF the Chief OF Operations
shall have the force Of orders OF the
Secretary OF the Navy and shall be con-
sidered as e%'nanating from the Secretary.
TIN SAEn nv -
amendments affecting the personnel and
building programme, and the retirement
and promotion plans finally adopted BY
the conference was n compromise as
heretofore outlined In THE Sun.
Tho House conferees yielded on the
Senate amendment providing that the
Item OF expenditures for aviation shall
Include provision for rigid dirisibles.'
The Senate item authorizing the use OF
the postmasters below the FIRST class
grade Tor recruiting OF tho navy was
adopted.
Increase at Brooklyn Yard.
The conferees adopted the Senate
amendment for the enlargement OF the
Washington Navy Yard by the acauisi-
ton of additional ground, also the an.
preparation OF s303. 900 for Improvement
In the Portsmouth yard and the Senate
increases In the appropriation for the
Brooklyn yard. which gives in all Sos.
300 for that purpose. The House &C.
ceptcd the enate amendment which al.
lows $4,000 for improving the navy
aeronautic station at Pensacola and
added 5000 600 for improving Mare
Island yard as tho Senate proposed.
The authorization by the Senate 10,
the experimental and resea rch laboratory
was reduced from 1000 900 to $500.
900. but he requirement that It be 10,
Gated In Washington on ground owned
by the Government was struck out and
the Secretary of the Navy Is given dis,
erection to locate 1t anywhere he ma,
find proper.
The House item providing for tn.
restoration to the active list of 'plucked'
officers was agreed to by tho conference
including the names added by the Sen
ate.
The Senat amendment a%ppropriatin,
$4,000. 900 for the Improvement OF tn,
navy yards at Puget Sound. Philadei
phia. Norfolk. Brooklyn. Boston. Ports
mouth. Charleston and New Orleans wa
agreed to by the House.