Arizona republican., 1917-02-07
A!RE Be-.
MADE. To j. 5.
DEFENSE FUND
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1


WASHINGTON, Feb. Big in
creases were added to national defense
appropriation measures in congress to-
day and plans were made TO put
through quickly other far-reaching
provisions requested by the admins
tration to prepare the country for
whatever may follow the break with
Germany
The house, hurrying the annual nav
al bill toward completion, wrote into
it additional appropriations totalling
$15, 600 of which more than $1,000
900 is for ammunition for merchant
auXiliaries of the fleet and nearly S.
100000 for anti-aircraft guns to de
fend naval stations Three separate ad-
ministration bills, designated to expe-
dite naval construction and aid in de-
veloping aeronautics, were put into
form and introduced during the day
for consideration before the end of the
week
In the senate and executive session
to consider nominations occupied avir
tually the entire day but a bill was put
through increasing the penalties for
making threats against the president
Of the United States, and the republi
cans agreed at an informal confer
ence to support a plan for authoriza-
ton of 100 submarines in addition to
those provided for in the regular builo-
ing program.
The executive session blocked Sena-
tor Stones plan to call for IA vote to-
day on his resolution giving senatorial
approval of the break with Germany
and he said tonight he would call it
up tomorrow. The republican leaders
will support the proposal but some
senators are expected to oppose it and
a dramatic debate is in prospect.
l. While the house was debating the
naval bill the military committee
brought in the annual army appropri-
alton measure. carrying "a total Of
S247 000 900 and including a provision
requested by Secretary Baker yester-
day under which the full membership
Of the army general staff may be
brought to Washington in emergencies
to work on war problems. Among the
largest items for new equipments are
authorizations Of sS.000,000 for avia-
ton: $1,000 900 for equipment and
stores of the reserve corps, and $1,000
900 for automatic machine guns for the
army ard national guard. Debate on
the bill viii begin late this week.
The annual Notifications bill. the
most advanced of the big annual de-
tense supply measures, neared enact
ment today.
Progress was made in committees of
both houses during the day on the new
series of laws dealing with conspiracies
against the United States ana IN the
interest of FOREIGN governments. An
espionage bill. similar To that intro
iuced in the senate yesterday by SEN
ator OVerman, also was reported faN-
prably during the day by the house ju-
dietary committee, and a bill extending
for one year the life Of the federal ma
rine war risk insurance bureau was
passed by the house. Under the pres
mt law the bureau would expire next
september
OF the trio Of administration bills
presented in the house today to
strengthen the naval arm Of defense in
the present emergency, the navy de-
partment attaches particular import
.nCe TO one which would empower the
president to take over for public SER
vice When necessary any manufactur-
ing plant which refuses to give prece-
dence to government orders for vessels
or other war material
Another Of the bills would authorize
a $15,000.G00 bond issue to provide
funds for insuring quick delivery of
naval vessels now under construction
and a third would appropriate $1,000
900 for purchase of basic airplane and
seaplane patents
Republicans and democrats. declar-
ing partisan considerations should be
forgotten in the face of the interna-
tional crisis. Joined in approving with
out question the increased appropria-
tions recommended by Secretary Dan
iels In the bill under debate today.
1--WE do not know what the balance
Of the dav or tomorrow may bring to
as" said Republican Leader Mann. 1T
ioes moi take a wise man to know that
If we get into any kind of conflict at
all we need more than the amount
hara recommended