The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-02-26
HARDING AGAINST
CRIPPLING NAVY
Warns Congress Against
Going Too Far With
Pruning Program

WASHINGTON. Feb. s5.--A time
~ warning was given to the republic
an congress today against going too
far In reducing the size of the Amer
lean navy.
The warning,s (which was more In
the nature of a strong hint, was con-
veyed by President Harding to the
members of the house naval affairs
committee at white house confer
ence.
Full Exchange OF Views"
Members OF the committee We're
summoned to the white house by tho
president and there was a full ex-
change of views as 10 the cutting
and slashing that is TO be done to the
American navy. No figures were
set and no program was agreed
upon, Il was stated by those par
ticipating, the meeting resolving 1t
self into an amicable discussion OF
opinion,
Republican members OF congress,
with an eye to the coming congress
sional election and the efficacy or
the economy showing, have recently
been predicting wholesale surgery In
the appropriations and personnel OF
the navy.
Some congressman believe that a
navy OF 10000 men Is strong enough
for the next year and are figuring
on appropriations accordingly.
DENLY Wants 10000 Men.
Secretary of tho Navy DENLY be-
iicves that $1,000 men should be the
absolute minimum and this view Is.
of course, reflected by the high
ranking officials of the service.
Many OF them consider II too low.
President Harding, It Is UNDER
stood. informed members OF the
committee today that he would be
very reluctant to see the navy so be-
low 10000. a compromise figure.
The naval committee itself is d.
vided.
There are "big navy" men and
'little navy" men both on the COM
mittee. as we'll as number whc
stand between the two extremes.
Today's conference was more ir
the nature of a "get together" meet
ing 10 find out Just where matters
stand. II Is understood that the
president called the conference al
the behest OF Secretary DENLY.
Would Keep Full Allotment
The president advised the com
mittee members that the rs battle
ships authorized by the nrmamen
conference should by all means b'
kept afloat and ready for duty, i
would be bad policy. ho believed. Il
reduce the navy to the extent OF no
keeping these ships fit.
President Harding's suggestion
were essentially of IA compromls
variety. lie advised members of th'
committee to authorize the conver
sion of two battle cruisers nov
building into airplane carriers
Sl0.000.00O has already been spen
on each OF the ships, one of whicl
is building At Fore River, Mass, an,
the other at Newport News, Va.
The president indorsed the ide
OF cutting down the size OF the nava
classes at Annapolis by 40 per cen
and he Informed members of tn
committee he thought II would b
unwise to turn the present gradual
ing class back into civilian life with
out commissions as has been sug
gested in congress. The preslden
also urged that there be no reduc
ton In the authorized strength {
the navy now at 100000 Keen IN
authorized strength as II Is, he ad
vised, In order to retain the nece.
sary office personnel would be n,
cessary for speedy enlistment an
training duty In time of emergenc
The reduction from the authorize
strength could be effected, he nc
sised without much fgieuon.