The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-16
SIxTY-Slx SHIPS WILL BE BUILT AT ONCE BY
 NAVY BILL PROVISIONS

and as a Democrat today. I remem-
 Der two months ago that the Chair man of the Naval Affairs Committee, the membership of the House and, as I understand it, the Administration, approved my course when as a straight up Democrat I voted against the extravagant, wild and reckless building programme presented by the Republicans of this House in the amendment offered by MT. Butler of Pennsylvania.
 "I was applauded by the Chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee when denounced such a programme as criminal waste, and I understood that my position was that of the Adminis- tration.
 And yet in the short two months the Chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee, the SecretarX-of the Navy and the President asked me to get up and eat my words and support a bill that was denounced as criminal, reckless and extravagant, but which is now characterized as the perfection of virtue.
 l Navy Now in Second Place I denounced this building pro- gramme two months ago and I cannot see any difference now. If it was wrong then 1t is wrong now, and more so. because since then two great naval powers have lost 100, ,000> tonnage each in battle.
 l "I tell you that we are now in sec ond place among the navies of the world. I want to call attention to the enormity of this programme. It increases within three years by more than $120,000,000 the construction programme of all nations on earth for ten years prior to the outbreak of the European war. And yet you say that this country is not crazy-that we are sane and conservative. By this action you are taking today you make the United States in dollars and cents the greatest militaristic naval nation the world has ever seen.''
 After all," said MT. Mann, minority leader, we're up against a plain bus mess proposition. To me, there's only one thing to do-to agree to the con- ference report. The conferees are car ry1ng out the program of the Repub- licans for the protection of the coun- try"
 The defense program, which ap- proval of the Naval Bill by the House virtually completes, has been the most important achievement of the session and has involved appropriations ag- gregating $661, ,41S, ,000 In addition to the Navy Bill, it included reorganiza-. ton Of the regular army and National Guard, bringing the enlisted peace strength of the army to 1s7, 1000, capa- ble, of expansion to 220,00o men, and providing Federalized National Guard which at full strength will number 45o,00o men.
 Daniels Is We'll Pleased.
 The first recommendation. ever made by g chief executive for con- tinuing program for naval construc- ton was made by President Wilson in his message to Congress last Decem- ber." said Secretary DaniGs last night, and 1t was gratifying to all who believe in a strong navy, when both political parties in their platform last June affirmed that wide departure rom former policies. Instead of what has been characterized as a 'haphax- ard policy, Congress has now adopted Q continuing, constructive, welI-bal- anced program that insures the build ing of a navy worthy of our country. The eight capital ships, to be con- structed at once. will carry the heav- Aost guns ana Will surpass any capital ships yet constructed by any nation.
 Already plans have been drawn for nearly all the ships to be built this year except. battle cruisers, and. as soon as the President signs the bill ad- vertisements will be made for bids for their construction. Plans will be com pleted within two or three months for the battle cruisers. eJ
 Not less important than the in- crease in fighting craft is the increase in fighting men. I am particularly pleased that in the provision for the increase in officers Congress a1opted the principle of promotion by selec- ton. The navy of the United States Is today the only effective institution in the world where officers go from tho top to the bottom by seniority. That system puts premium upon medio- crity. Forward looking naval officers have for a long time been advocat- ing the doctrine of promotion by se- lection. At last it has come and this Congress by this act has done more 'for the navy than it can now fully appreciate"