Arizona republican., 1921-02-15
PROP RATION. BILL FOR NAVY ASSES H ] J SE AF TER DEF E AT
 IF AME ENDMEN N I
Bill As Passed Carries Near ly Four Hundred Million Dollars-No Cut In Build ing Program Already Un- der Way
lRepubIIcan A. p. Leased WireJ

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The naval appropriation bill, carrying approxi- mately $395,000. 900. was passed today by the house after it had been defeatedS 124 to 30. an amendment which would have prevented the expenditure of any part of the $90, ,000, 900 provided for bat tleship construction until an interna- tional disarmament conference shall have been called by the president. The amendment was offered by Represent alive Brooks, Republican, Illinois.
 The house also refused to cut the amount for work on the navy's building program during the fiscal year to $50, 100000 as proposed by Representative Dickinson, Republican, Iowa, and by 282 to g, defeated a motion to recom- init the bill to cut the appropriation for construction work to $7.000.000 and to eliminate a section which prevents the uso of stop watches in navy yards and arsenals.
 Tho measure as it goes to the senate, however, carries an amendment that no part of the s90.000.000 carried for new craft shall be used on ships on which construction has not started or for which contracts have not been let. Chairman Kelley of the sub- committee that framed the bill. agreed to this limitation. saying it would mean work could be started before July 1, 1922, on 12 destroyers, six fleet submarines and one torpedo. authorized in 1916 but not contracted for.
 Although somewhat riddIed by points of order, the bill as far as its main features were concerned, wass ap- proved by the house practically as it was reported by the appropriation committee. Reduction of the enlisted personnel of the marine corps from 27,000 to 10000 men was agreed to to- day, as was the decrease in the enlisted nstrength of the navy from 143,000 to 'YfC0, ,000. The Brooks amendment pro- vided that all nations would have to be invited to a disarmament conven- ton, to be held, in the United States bel re work on. the navy's buildins program could proceed after July | Opposition instantly arose, and for two hours it was debated. Most of the speakers attacked the amendment, a majority of them contending that il would be unwise for congress to tie the hands of the incoming president.
 Republican leaders asserted the. favored an early international conven- tion an disarmament. and the predic- tion was made that President cleo Harding would do his utmost to brins about such a conference.
 It was argued that it would be { mistage to put the construction pro gram of the navy in peril, by taking step which might require suspension o building operations for a time.
 Representative Mondell, Republican leader, expressing the conviction tha MT. Harding would evolve disarma ment program, said it was the duty O congress to let him start negotiations
 If he delays or hesitates," he said "the congress can act"
 Representative Britten, Illinois, rank ing Republican on the naval committee urging completion of the constructor authorized said disarmament befor then would mean that the Unite States would be hopelessly in secon position on the high seas. He charge that insidious propaganda was ema mating from London for disarmament.
 Representative Madden, Illinois, wa another Republican who held it woul be a mistake for America at this tim to agree to a naval holiday, whll Chairman Butler of the naval commit tee declared it would be a grave mis take to try to force President cleo Harding's hand.
 Representative Connolly Democra Texas, urging adoption of the Brook amendment, said the United State should let the world know it was will ing to disarm, but equally willing ,rCart the gage 0f battle