The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-02-14
NAVAL BUILDING BILL a
ADOPTED IN HOUSE
Administrations Leaders Finally Win
Fight for Expansion After Rule,
coniuittee Makes Consideration
Of Proposed Lesislation
Possible. +

: ~
Washington, Feb 12.-Adminis.
tration leaders in the house last night
won their fight, for a declaration by
congress of policy of naval expan-
sion unless limitation Of world ar
mament is agreed upon at the peace
conference After an all day debate
the house voted 1872 to 142 to ap-
prove the new three year building
program Of ten battleships and ten
scout cruisers and Immediately af
forwards adopted the entire naval ap.
preparation bill. /. . : -, ): 80
The:vote on The adoptiop Of the
bill was 2s1 to so. AS finally approx.
ed the measure carries a total !. ot
s721, 100000 for the naval establish
ment during the next fiscal year, in.
cluding SITS, 100000 for the unfn.
ished part Of the first three year pro
gram adopted in 1916. iEs
During the day the house adopted
BY a vote OF 2o5 to 14s resolution
Of the rules committee making the
naval expansion policy legislation in
order, thus overcoming a parIiamen.
tary advantage gained yesterday by
Republican Leader Mann, whose
points Of order against the program
had been sustained by Representa-:
tive Garrst Tennessee Cd Demo ocfst)
who was. temporarily presiding. -iSs s.
The votes on the; resolution and
on final approval Of the: program
were strikingly similar. Neither
was entirely on party lines, but the
Republicans on each roll call cast
the majority Of the votes in -opposi-
.tion. On formal appoval Of the pro-
gram 125 Republicans with IA Demo-
Gratis, an Independent, "a Prohibition
-ist and . Socialist voted in The mega
tive, while T57 Democrats with s5
Republicans; an Independent and a
Nonpartisan cast affirmative votes. {
~ One Minor Amendment.
!, Except for one minor amendment,
the building program legislation was
adopted by the house as drafted by
the naval committee, The amend
ment by Representative Humphreys
of Mississippi Democrat) provided
that construction authorized Under
the program could be started before
June 1, 1920, instead Of Februaryt1
1920, as provided by the original bill.
A legislative rider inserted in the
house forbids the navy department
from buying wireless stations or pay
ing for those already purchased out
Of funds carried in the new bill. This
amendment was adopted after action
Of the department in purchasing sta
tions and ship sets from the .Marconi
Wireless and Federal Telegraph
Companies, during. the war had been
criticized. IL :: :. :. =
Opposition to the new building
program as voiced again today by
Republican Leader Mann and; other
Republicans and Democrats eentered
on the complaint that no declaration
Of policy should be made as "a bluff''
designed to influence the peace con-
ference. Supporters replied that
President Wilson had asked for the
declaration and that the policy would
be carried out if the peace confer
enee did not agree to limitation Of
world armament.
Representative Aondell Of Wyom-
ing, Republican, criticised the '4pohcy
Of the big stick" which he said the
president was furthering as "neither
seemly nor persuasive" He said the
peace conference was aware that
America could build a big navy, so
1--WE need not try to bluff the diplo-
mats"
ANOTHER SOLDIER HOME.
Ernest Pennal, who has been in