The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-04-22
House Rushes Through the
Measure Carrying Appro-
priatiOns for War
TEN MILLION FOR
USE OF HOSPITALS
Republicans in Row and Austin of
Tennessee Criticises His Colleagues
for Wasting Time Debating Each
Item

WASHINGTON, April 22.-Inspired
by a desire to speed every military ac-
tivity the house Saturday, after two
DAYS consideration, established legis-
lative precedent by passing the naval
appropriation bill, carrying approx
mately $l,312 100000, which is next to
the largest amount of money ever ap
portioned the navy by an American
congress. The return Of Secretary
Baker from the war zone with the i'm
preston that America must hasten its
| military assistance to the allies is
| largely responsible for the unprecedent-
ed action. The legislation provided, if
the program is carried out by subse-
quent congresses, will place the Ameri-
can navy in second rank among the
world S nayies.
| While the appropriation bill carries
1866, 4S1,25l less than the amount
placed at the disposal of the navy de
partment in the present fiscal year, yet
there were many increases IN items that
became necessary because of actua,
war. such as the authorization of the
expenditure of 100000 for increas
ing hospital facilities 1t was estimat
ed that the house, which usually de
votes a week to the consideration Of {
bill of this proportion, had appropriat
ed at the rate of $l40,000000 an hour
The chief amendment made to tn,
bill appropriated $l0,295, 900 for TIL
construction and enlargement of hos
pitfalls at different navy yards and il
many cities. This item carried $1,000
600 for the building of an overseas hos
pital. The existing Accommodations il
this country will be enlarged not onl,
to take care of soldiers and sailor
: wounded in the present war, but (
provide greater comfort in the oil
binary medical care of the enlisted me
III the navy and marine corps.
The amendment for additional hos
pJtal construction and repairs carrie
!. appropriations for such Improvement
l. at these places: Chelsea, Mass, $3.50
r 900; Newport, r. l.. 100000; Nev
r London. Conn, S150,0O0; Brooklyn
j. 81, 100000; Ward s Island, n.
f 81 100000; Pelham, n. Y. 100000
= Philadelphia Navy Yard, $500, 900; Phi
n adelphia, $355 600: Norfolk, $l,25000
l. Hampton Roads, 100000; Charleston
e s. G., $S50,000; Paris Island, S. c
h $40, 900; Great Lakes, H.. 500, 00t
Il Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, $l50,000; owe
e seas, 100000; contingent, 5000 900.
The personnel Of the navy was i
4. creased 5000 and the marines 400
o b. the bill. while two major genera
l. for the marines were created.
10 X hiln tbp house ~
r whether it was advisable to make 8
re appropriation for high explosives Il
J. argument turned upon which nation h;
y won the Jutland naval engagement. +
ID more than two hours speaker aft
speaker expounded upon this battle, t
- prcponderance of argument being tn
the nation which had used armor- piel
ing shells had been the stronger ,Tu
before the discussion ended some mo
prudent member rose and induced {
n house to expunge from The Record t
- argument and requested that the pre-
should give no publicity to the concl
sionS reached in the debate. He sa
ad that the publication at this time W
not desirable and would have bad
feet.
Representative Austin of Tenness
and Representative Cooper of Wisco
sin, both Republicans, became engag
i'll fiery passage during the afternot
The latter attempted to deliver a |,
ture to his Republican colleagues, CT
icising them for wasting time by deb
ing every item. He pleaded with tn
to accept the recommendations of I
committee and speed up war lcgislati
81 do NOT thiplE fhat m; n
to criticise the administration at t
time, Mr.. Austin said, cor to wa
time in examining every item
Representative Longworth and oti
Republicans resented his speech r.