The Washington herald., 1921-04-27
0.P...
BACKS PLANS
FOR RBIG NAVY
Leaders Overwhelm Eff
fort to Cut Fund for
Building Ships.
STEAM ROLLER USED
ON AMENDMENTS
Democrats and Few Re-
publicans Seek Disarm-
ament Conference.

-
disarmament was. started in the
House yesterday during debate on
the naval appropriations bill when
members on the Democratic side
endeayored to obtain amendment
which would hold up funds provided
for the 1916 building. program and
force the nand of President Harding
in the matter of inviting other ma
tions to attend a conference on dis
armament.
Representative Walsh, OF Massa-
chusetts. was in the chair ana the
steam roller moved smoothly. In
most instances a point OF order
was recognized; in others amend
ments were voted down. One amend
ment, however. was pending when
adjournment was taken late yes
terday afternoon and a vote will be
taken on It tomorrow. Final action
on the bill probably will be reached
the same day and it is predicted by
Republican leaders that IL will pass
without important change.
Member Deserts
There was only one thorn in the
side OF the Republican leadership
sentative Knight. a recruit from a
Pennsylvania district. Knight an
nounced that he was going to vote
against the bill in its present form
and introduced a resolution calling
upon the President to appoint a
commission. the duty of which
would be to determine the relative
values of battIeships. submarines
and aeroplanes in the national de-
fense.
Representative Hamilton Fish. Of
New York. Republican. also was a
critic OF the bill, siding with Demo-
Gratis who would amend it to re-
strict the expenditure of more
money on battleships until some
idea was obtained as to what might
be accomplished by an international
disarmament conference.
Trouble Begins.
The -irst rumble OF serious trou-
bic came when Representative
Moore. of Virginia, Democrat, at
tempted to obtain an amendment
which would authorize the Presi-
dent to suspend expenditure of 500
100000 on the 1915 building pro-
gram If an agreement on disarma-
ment was reached with England and
japan or it appeared that an agree
ment was about to be reached. This
enort was squelched by a ruling by
Mr.. walsh.
Then the real hre works were ex-
ploded and the charge made that
some of the Democrats were en-
deavoring to embarass the Presi-
dent and were prepared TO insult
him by their proposals. Repre-
sentative Connolly. of Texas. started
the rumpus by introducing a reso-
luton which would forbid the ex-
penditure of $4,000. 900 provided for
armament and armor for construc-
tion already contracted for until"
the President invited other nations
10 participate in an international
conference on disarmament.
Scores Democrats.
Representative Madden, of Illi-
nois. demanded the floor and was
permitted to talk for FIVE minutes
He made the most of it. pouring a
torrent Of impassioned words upon
the Democratic leaders.
Representative Kelley, of Nichi-
gan, Republican. chairman of the
subcommittee in charge of the ma.
val appropriation bill, characterized
the Connolly proposal as "ridicul-
Gus" and asserted that the intent
to force the hand of the President
was evident. Mr.. Connolly, how
ever. stood by his guns. and in do
ing so proved himself an orator Of
enthusiasm.
For days" he said. we have
been RECALLED with oratory about
the need Of disarmament and vet
when We have the .irst tangible
opportunity to do something con-
crete we hnd the majority side
using parliamentary tactics to de-
feat such proposals and when they
are recognized. voting them down" /"