The Washington times., 1917-02-14
House Passes Measure Carry
ing Largest Appropriation
in Nations History.
ONLY 23 OPPOSE BUDGET
Building Program Calls for
Three BattIeships, 16 Sub
marines and Other Craft.

The House sent to the Senate to-
day the largest naval bill in the his
tory Of this Government, with. the
prospect that the Senate will add to
the already enormous total approved
by the House.
BY an overwhelming vote-353 to
23-the House passed the naval bud
get late yesterday. Only twenty
three pacifists stood out to the end
against the record-breaking budget,
which was S55 900 900 in excess of'the
bill of last season. In former years
naval budgets of $13O,OOO, 900 to $145.-
100000 have been considered large.
To Commander ShIpyards.
The bill as passed retained the So
called Administration amendments
empowering the President to com
nandeer shipyards and munitions
plants in time of emergency, and
appropriating s1,OOO,OOO for the ac-
quisition by the Government of the
basic patents of an aeroplane suit
able for military uses. The Admin
istration desired this legislation and
a special rule made il in order on
the naval bill.
These amendments were approved
informally during the debate on the
bill, and when the measure was put
on final passage no demand was made
for roll call upon them. Pacif1st
Democrats, led by Congressman Call
away, of Texas. and Huddleston and
Oliver, of Alabama, moved to recon-
init the naval bill with Instructions
to the committee to provide for only
one battleship instead of three. and
to authorize a larger number of sub
marines and destroyers in lieu of
capital ships. This motion was de-
feated on a viva voce vote and only
thirty-three members, an insufficient
number. arose when the ayes and
noes were demanded.
Building PrOgranH Provided.
The building program carried in the
bill calls for three battleships, one
battle cruiser, three scout cruisers,
fifteen destroyers, one destroyer tend
er, one submarine tender. and eight
cen submarines. The bill also pro-
vides that the limit of cost for the
four battle cruisers authorized last
session shall be increased to $4,000
600 each, and the limit of cost for the
three scout cruisers heretofore author
lied shall be increased to $4,000. 900
each, exclusive of armor and arma7
ment.
AS reported by Chairman Padgett.
of the Naval Affairs Committee, the
naval bill appropriated approximately
1851 .OO0, 900. but ST 7.1O0.143 was added
TO that total during the consideration
OF the measure in the House. These
aAI -
ments which had the approval of the
Navy Department.
Some of Larger Increases.
Among the larger increases were
the following:
New batteries for naval vessels in
creased 81 .53s, 900. making a total ap-
preparation of So POI 900: ammunition
for merchant auXiliaries increased by
Ss.TS1OOO. total appropriation SI.2S1.-
900; batteries for merchant auXiliaries
increased by S2.4s1 900. total appro-
priation, S4.131 900: ammunition ships
of the navy, an increase of $1,000. 900:
total appropriation, $3.5OO,O 900.
Due to Present Crisis.
Another appropriation for ammuni-
tfon in the bill amounts to $14,52s. 900.
making a total appropriation for am
munition OF more than SIT.OOO.OO
All of these increases are regarded
as due to the present international
crisis and the emergency prepared
, ness program. In addition the House
authorized a lump sum appropriation
of 10000. 900 to enable the Secretary
of the navy to equip navy yards for
the construction of battleships in the
. event satisfactory contracts cannot
be made with private shipbuilders.
Those Who Opposed Bill.
Members of the House voting
against the naval appropriation bill
practically all of whom are pacifist
Democrats-were as follows:
Republicans - Cramton. Michigan;