The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-02-10
HOUSE FAvORS
NAVY MEASURE
1852, 100000 Bill Is Advanced
in the Lower Body OF
Congress.
CABINET DISC JsSEs CRISIS
Nothing Has Occurred to Change
Position of Government in the
Submarine War-Rapid Prog
ress Made in Preparation.

a. washington, rep. Ollie HouSe
under stress of national emergency,
almost unanimously approved Chair
man Padgett's naval committee report,
which appropriates $352.000000 for
naval preparedness. The house acted
in committee of the whole. This as
sures passage If the items.
Included In the appropriations are
81, ,250,O00 for machine guns, $1,0O00OO
for anti-aircraft guns and ammunition
at arsenpls, $5,581,174 for batteries
for merchant auxiliaries. with $7,2Sl,-
941 for ammunition for the latter.
Another amendment to place the
pntire amount of the BILL subject to
Immediate use in The presidents dis
cretion. was also offered. Ordinarily
the bill would take effect July l.
Cabinet Discusses Crisis.
AT the close 0. Il two-hour cabinet
1t was indicated that nothing
had happened to change the position
of the American government in the
submarine crisis. The state DEPART
ment, it was said has received no
official word that Germany might al
ter her policy.
Reports made to the cabinet told Of
rapid progress in CARRYING out precu'l
tionary measures directed by the vlrl.
GUS departments.
The statements of Foreign Secre-
tary Zimmerman at Berlin served also
to reflect the idea that Germany so
far does not want actual war with the
United States,
Nothing has occurred to make Che
Situation more serious or less seft-
ous," said one cabinet member II
should say the situation is unchanged.
The cabinet carefully reviewed pre-
paredness work of the last few days
and gave the view that the govern
ment Is now on the road to being in
good shape for future possibilities"
Postmaster General Burleson said
before the meeting that he was not
insisting on the fulfillment of con-
tracts with owners of vessels leaving
the United States and passing through
the German submari , zone. for car
rying American mails.
~ am leaving that to them" he
said.
President Wilson had no engage
ments during the morning, but re-
mained in his study working o. ques-
tions connected with the international
situation.
Wilson Urges Amendment.
Chairman Padgett told the house
that the aircraft amendment was
urged by President Wilson and the
secretaries of war and navy.
The Wright company and the Cur
tiss company, he said, practically are
the only ones making airplanes in the
United States and the purpose of the
amendment is to have the government
buy out the basic patents
The house also added to the naval
bill an appropriation Of $3,800,000 for
118 anti-aircraft guns and ammuni-
tion for defense of naval stations, on
request of the navy department.
Shortly after Padgett's action Chair
man Webb of the house judiciary COM
mittee reported favorably three war
bills. They would prohibit fraudulent
use or counterfeiting Of government
seals: punish attempted injury of
vessels engaged in foreign commerce
or of their cargoes or crews, and
would prevent the disclosure Of ma
tional defense secrets.
Would Seize Patents.
The aircraft amendment would en-
able the secretary of war and the Sec
retary of the navy ito obtain by pur-
chase, condemnation, donation or 9th
erwise, such basic patent or patents
as they may consider necessary to the
manufacture and development of air.
craft"
Republican senator's In conference
decided to stand back of Senator
Poindexter's bill for Immediate con-
struction of 20 feet and 80 coast sub
marines at cost of $4.000.000.
U. S. WILL DlSAVOW SEIZURES