The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-04
HARDING OPPOSES ANY REQUEST FOR
 CONFERENCE CALL
Objections Will Result In Navy Bill Being Reported Without
 the Borah Amendment
By Associated Press

Washington, May 3.-President Harding objects to the insertion in the navy ap- propriation bill of any provision reques- ing him to call a naval disarmament con- ference as proposed under an amendment by Senator Borah, republican of Idaho, This became known when the Senate naval committee began work today on the SS96, ,000,00O measure which has been passed by the House.
 The Presidents objections will result in the bill being reported to the Senate without the Borah amendment, according to Senator PoindeXter, republican of Washington in charge of the naval bill, and administration forces in the Senate are expected to line up against the amendment which Senator Borah plans to fight for on the floor.
 President Harding's views on the dis armament question were given to Senator Poindexter and Senator Hale, republican of Maine, of the subcommittee, in charge of the appropriation measure The Pres icent. it was stated expressed himself as desirous of approximate disarma- uent." but was represented as opposing any suggestion from Congress in the bill which might embarrass executive action or appear to convey congressional rec ommendation on international policies within the Jurisdiction of the executive. Senator Poindexter said such a request as proposed by the Borah plan would be merely advisory, without real effect on the Presidents action, and therefore would be surplus in the bill.
 WANTS PROGRAMME
 CONTINUED
 It is also understood that the Presi- dent reiterated his opinion that ample, immmediate appropriations should be pro- vided to continue the 1916 naval building programme with view to rounding out the navy prior to establishment of disarmament programme.
 That virtually all of the amend ments, aggregating $100,000.000, added at the last session to the House bill, which failed of passage in the Senate would be readopted by the committee was predicted by Senator Poindexter.
 The chief item add last March and the subject of controversy which caused failure of the bill in the Senate dur ing the disarmament fight were for naval aviation, including two aircraft carriers and aviation fields, for new Pacific coast bases and for hastening completion of the building programme. Increased funds for completing two to four capital ships under construction also are in prospect Senator Foindex-
 
 ter said.
 Tn considering the bill today the Senate committee called in Admiral Coontz. chief of naval operations; Rear Admiral Taylor, chief of construction and repair, and Rear Admiral Potter, in charge of supplies and accounts Other bureau chiefs are to be called tomorrow, but the committee does not expect to request Secretary Denby or members of the general board to ap- pear before it.
 Extensive hearings are regarded by the committee as unneeessary, because of the exhaustive study made last win- ter when virtually the same bill was presented. No new considerations in naval policies or affairs have devel- oped since, Senator Poindexter said
 The committee plans to complete and report the bill within a few days, pos sibly tomorrow, but it's consideration probably will go over until after dis position of the emergency tariff bill.