Evening star., 1921-03-03
NAVAL BILL FAILS
FOR THIS SESSION
Senators Proceed to Other
Business, Leaving Action
to Special Session.

Hope of passing the naval appro-
priation bill at this session was aban-
doned today by Senator Poindexter,
been in charge of it. and the Senate
proceeded to other business.
Senator Poindexter said that from
the experience of the past four days.
during which the bill has been de-
bated, he was satisfied that it could
not be enacted before adjournment
tomorrow noon. and that he was un-
willing to hold up other important
matters to press it.
Attacks House Measure.
The Washington senator attack ed
the measure as passed by the House
dc claring that had it been enacted 1t
would have led to the "demoraIiza- :
tioR and paralysis of the American
Navy"
new naval bill will have to be
drafted at the special session of Con-
gress. which President Harding is
expected to call for April 4.
Senator Poindexter told the Senate
number of circumstances had
Senator Underwood of Alabama. the
democratic leader, deplored Senator
Poindexter's motion to lay aside the
bill, and said it might yet be passed.
He criticised Senator Poindexter's
management of the bill. adding: 1T
now looks as if incapacity and mis-
management would defeat this BILL
Senator Underwood also attacked
Senator Poindexter for charging him
with blocking the sundry civil bill
because of the Muscle shoals item.
The Alabama senator denied respon-
sibility. asserting it lay with the
House side.
For these reasons. he continued. ii
was necessary to amend the bill. He
declared the Senate naval committee
had lost no time in hearing the best
authorities and redrafting the meas
ure to provide for necessary appro-
priations omitted by the House.
Program in Confusion.
Withdrawal of the naval bill threw
the whole pre-adjournment program
into confusion. Leaders said frankly
they did not know what would be
done, but agreed that there was no
chance for any other important legis-
lation being put through. A few
minor bills, it was said, might be
considered.
Senator PondeXter said the removal
of the Navy bill would give senators
an opportunity to discuss muscles in
Muscle shoals" and the raid on the
Treasury" for the Alabama project
in the sundry civil bill, which. he said
was being defeated in order to hold
the Muscle shoals item. although it
carried millions for former service
men and their families.
Reiterating that the United States
was facing a serious situation" Sen
ator Poindexter said, I'VE are una BILE
to Iegisiate," despite it.
Senator Poindexter said Great Brit
ain 'is today greater in power than
any other two nations. She would be
the equal of the United States if the
1916 program was completed" he said
ANY impression that goes abroad
that she has not made any naval ap-
preparations is. misleading"
Efforts to Order Vote.
Senator Hale of Maine, repubIica n
member of the naval committee.
sought to revive the naval bill He
asked that an agreement for vote
late today be made. saying the naval
committee was willing to make "rea-
sonable reductions" in the appropria-
ton.
Senator PoindeXter presented a pro-
posed unanimous consent agreement
for a vote at o'clock, but Senator
Borah objected. He said he would OBJ
ject to an agreement for a vote at
any hour.
Senator Borah asserted that there
never had been a time since this
bill came up when it would have been
possible to pass it,"