The New York herald., 1921-06-17

The opposition, OF the House to the
500, 100000 increase which the Senate
attached to the naval appropriation bill
reached a climax to-day when the House
conferees, after unsuccessful attempts to
obtain reductions, broke of the confer
ences.
Representative Kelley (Mich.) told
the Senator's that the House. because Of
the need for Governmental economy
would never accept the increases. SEN
ators Poindexter (Wash.) and Hale
(Me.) announced they could not yield
to the House.
The break to-day came after nearly
a week OF conferences. Only unimpor-
tant matters were agreed upon and not
a single increase as allowed by the
Senate was approved. In case the bill
cannot be enacted before July ], which
now seems doubtful, it will be necessary
to pass continuing appropriation to
enable the navy to obtain funds.
Back Of the disagreement is the pork
barrel log rolling recently staged In
the Senate, by which Democratic votes
for the many increases were obtained
when 1t was agreed to continue the
work on the Charleston IS. CO dry dock
project despite recommendations of the
Naval Affairs Committee that 1t be
suspended until 1924. An appropriation
of S1,15O,000 was allowed to continue
dredging, 1t being necessary, according
to some naval officers. TO bring the At
lantic Ocean UP TO the dock before 1t
can be built.
The House members insist that their
stand for economy Is not based on any
desire to cripple the navy. Mr.. Kelley
and others say that the 96,0oO.00O al
lowed by the House is adequate. Mr..
Kelley always has stood for a strong
navy.
Senators in the conference kept sug-
gesting that naval officers be called to
testify regarding the various increases,
but were told by Mr.. Kelley that ex-
tensive hearings had been held on all
these questions In both Houses.
1--WE will yield on any item when 1t
Is shown to us that the increase IL ne
cessary for the navy" said Mr.. Kelley,
but we will not do SO until Senators
can present real reasons for the addi-
tional funds. We cannot grant every
dollar asked by naval officers and at
the same time have the interests Oh uie
Treasury at heart"
The break came during discussion
Of the enlisted strength during the com
ing year. The House fixed II at 100000
men. while the Senate voted for 10000.
"The senate conferees asked that
naval officers be called on this point. and
these officers could not tell US where
they intended to place 10000 men,
said Mr.. Kelley "They are now man.
ming 1877 little patrol boats that have no
value. each of which is burning up
60 gallons of gasolene an hour. They
suggest In addition having more than
5000 men with no definite assignment.
The Senate also would not yield to
reduction I'm the daily ration allowances
from SIS cents to so cents a man, al
though wholesale prices OF foodstufls
have dropped from 35 to 90 per cent.
during the last year.
Then the Senate would not agree 10
the House reduction from s10,oOo,ooo to
$500, 900 In the item for the repair or
navy yards. Last year prices were
higher than ever before. but during the
next year every one will agree that
prices on steel. lumber. all other build
Ing materials and labor will be much
cheaper. so that az much work can be
done for $500. 900 during the coming
year as was done for the slo,ooo'VVo
during the current year"
The conferees have not considered tne
Borah disarmament proposal. and VIII
not do so until all other features OF the
hill have been apDroved.