Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-17

Washington. May 16-The $500.
100000 naval appropriation bill was
| unable today to make headway
against the tide of opposition from
| advocates of the Borah proposal for
a disarmament conference and re-
| duction in appropriations.
Lengthy addresses by Senators
Pomerene, Democrat, Ohio, and La
Toilette, Republican, Wisconsin, pre-
| vented any amendments from being
reached and when adjournment was
taken the latter had not completed
his argument. 1t was expected,
however. that disposition of amend
tomorrow
Both Senators Pomerene and La
Toilette declared that Great expendi-
lures now were unnecessary, and in
view of the condition of the treas
ury and the country, ineXpedient.
Senator Pomerene supported the
Borah amendment and also advocat-
ed one of his own to clothe the
President with authority to suspend
capital ship construction for six
months.
Senator LaFollette declared that
the navy building program was a
waste of the peoples money" The
capital ships would become obsolete
in five years he said, adding that
with development of aircraft, sub
marines and seacoast defense the
United States would be impregnable
from attack by any power or COM
bination of powers.
Senator Pomerene said that rejec-
ton of the Borah amendment would
practically close the door of hope
of the world for disarmament"
The demands for reduction of ar
mament finally caused Senator Poin-
dexter, Republican, Washington, in
, charge of the bill, to state that no
information had been submitted to
show any extravaganza in the pro-
posed naval purchases,
Senator Pomerene replied that when
''ofticers with gold lace whispered
zap members of the naval commit
tee hady hysteria and voted for large
appropriations" Senator Borah in
terjected that military expenditures
were holding up projects like soldier
relief. western reclamation and other
Developments.
In his criticism of the bill Senator
La Toilette said that great financial
interests" desired a powerful navy to
protect their interests. He introduced
an amendment providing that none of
the American war craft should be used
I" "coerce or compel collection" of any
private claim, grant or concession.
Munitions and armor plate interests.
Senator La Toilette declared. were &C.
tive in all great nations fostering
propaganda in behalf of greater arm
aments. Referring to recent reports
OF JapaE's naval program. Senator La
Toilette said that since he entered
public life in 1885. each time the naval
appropriation bill was before Con-
he had found newspapers filled with
this sort of stuff just at the moment
when it, would be the most effective"
me wisconsin senator criticized
those who. he said. had voted to cur
tail hospital appropriations for for
mer service men. He also declared
that constructive tactics" were being
used to delay the soldiers bonus bill.
These senators, he said, had voted
billions of gratuities to the rail-
roads" Referring to recent charges
ny Senator Walsh, Democrat, Massa-
chusetts, of neglect of war veterans
IN hospitals. Senator La Toilette said
they constituted an indictment of the
government" SO far without denial or
explanation, and were received with
cailoused, hardened indifference"