Evening journal., 1919-02-05
WILSON BACKS
big navy PLAN
President Ins SITS on Three
Year Construction Pro-
gram as Planned
SENDS CABLE TO
SECRETARY DANIELS

WASHINGTON. Feb. 5.-lnsistence by
President Wilson upon the Adminlsira-
tlon's policy of naval expansion led TO
The unanimous approval given by the
House Naval Committee 10 another
three-year construction program. This
was disclosed yesterday by Chairman
/ Padgett, OF the committee. when the
House began consideration Of the $780,
100000 annual naval appropriation bill.
Mr.. Padgett told Of cablegram sent
by the President from Parts 10 Secre-
tary Daniels, saying nothing had Oc-
Cured over there TO change the recon-
mendations he made In his annual mes
sage 10 Congress.
The message was brought TO the at
tention Of the committee by Mr. Daniels.
THE President was very earnest
Representative padgett said. "and very
insistent that the three-year program
be carried out"
Mr.. Psdgett refused 10 make public
the cablegram. and II was under cross
tlre Of questions from Republican
members that he referred 10 Its sub
stance.
did he say In substance that lack
Of the program would be fatal 10 his
.negotiations 2" asked Representative
Rogers, Of Massachusetts,, Republican.
Excuse me from a statement" re-
piled Mr.. Padgett. II will neither af-
firm nor deny a word that was In the
cable. Will not give the words that
he did or did not use"
Representative Graham. OF Illinois,
Republican, asked about the receipt Of
the cable and Mr. Padgett replied that
It had been given him In confidence by
Secretary Daniels.
SIS that not one reason that the re-
port was unanimous9" asked Graham.
"Yes. Sir" responded Mr.. Padgett.
Mr.. Graham Insisted then that Con-
gress should have the information so
that II might act intelllgently on the
proposed construction.
Mr.. Padgett answered:
II cannot give II because IL involves
more than our own domestic policy"
Asked by Representative Moore, Of
Pennsylvania, whether he believed the
proposed program would benefit the
country, Representative. Butler, OF
Pennsylvania, ranking Republican on
the naval committee, said he doubted
II, because he did not believe II ever1
would be completed. Mr.. Butler said
before new construction could be start
ed different conditions might make a
larger navy unnecessary.
EJ'presc tatlve Bpler declared his
opposition 10 making public the Pres
dents cable.
II don't think II would be fair 10
the President" he said. ~ don't think
would have voted for the increased
program had II not been for the Pres
dents message.
THowever, Mr. Browning, tfrom New
Jersey and ! stood almost alone The
message did not affect the great major
iiy OF the committee. They. would
have voted for the increase anyhow.
Therefore the messagfe should not be
given out, even thouzh | hate secrecy
and ] believe the public should be Civ
en- reasons why increases are neces-
sary. Nothing which would injure the
President should be done, even
thouzh some may dislike H."
Representative Stayton. OF Texas,
Democrat. asked why an executive ses-l
sion Of the House could not he held, !
but representative Butler answered that
10 would do no good, saying that the
message was read 10 Naval Committee
members who were enio'ned cot 10
mention Il. but that Il became Known /
Representative Campbell. Of Kansas,
Republican, asked n the cable insisted
on naval expansion while the Presl- !
dent Is In Paris urging a program OF
Mr.. Padgett answered
In the affirmative. Mr.. Campbell urged
that the purpose for the expansion be
disclosed, but Mr. Padget answered
'you may su-mlse that"
Representative Longworth OF Ohio. |
Republican. referred 10 the Presidents
statement that Congress would know
Of all his movements and acts waile
abroad.
Republican Leader Mann asked n re
ports that the message had said that
the program, II not authorized, ''would
be fatal TO the Presidents desires at
the peace table,"
''The message did not say a word
about the peace table," answered Mr..
Padgett.
But did Il say. fatal 10 my negotla.
tions2' insisted Mr.. Mann.
Those words were not used said
Mr.. padgett.
Mr.. Mann asserted the question m
volved was whether the administration
had Information that II would not give
| 10 Congress, Republican members ap-
plauded this statement.