Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-02-26
SIZE, COST Of
NAVY DISCUSSED D
At CONFE ERENCE
Harding Acts to Reconcile
Wide Differences of 0pin-
ion Between Secretary
Denby and Congress.
tBy The Associated Press.) J

Washington, Feb. 25,--President
Harding inaugurated an effort to-
day to reconcile wide differences
of opinion between the navy de-
partment and congress as to the
size and cost cf the navy for tho
next fiscal year.
At a White House conference
with republican members Of the
house naval committee ana Repre-
sentative Mondell, OF Wyoming.
the republican leader, the president,
seeking to compromise what some
members have described as the eX-
trome views" is said to have de-
clared that with the size of the
navy fixed by the arms conference
the total enlisted personnel ought
not be less than $4,000.
What Dcnby Wants.
Secretary DENLY, in outlining de-
partmcnt needs to the committee
has insisted on an enlisted
strength of $4,000 and the present
officer personnel, including $40
members of the first class at An
napolis to be graduated in June.
Chairman Butler and other MEM
bers Of the committee have insist
ed, however, that Mr.. Dcnby's fig
ures for an APPROPRIATED bill car
rying a total of $3.50, 100000 were
too high and reports have reached
the president that considerable
number Of house members were
demanding a cut so sweeping that
there might be funds enough in the
new navy bill for only 10000 men.
In the face of determined oppo-
sition to his estimate, Mr.. DENLY
and Admiral Cocntz, chief of naval
operations, announced that they
stood pat on the figures. 1t was
because OF this situation that the
president called in the republican
committeeman with whom he con-
ferred for an hour and a half in a
general exchange of views.
The feeling prevailed in some
quarters tonight that the president
had hit upon an easy basis of COM
premise and had let it be known
he would not approve n bill that
might effectually scrap" the navy
below the arms conference point
through failure to provide suffi-
cient men to man the eighteen bat
tleships and other craft allotted the
United States by international
agreement.
Tho Real Fight.
AS the real fight over the size
and cost of the navy will be before
the Subcommittee on appgopria-
tions of which Representative
Kelly, republican. Michigan, is
there was a suggestion
that Mr.. Kelly's and Mr., Buffers
committees, or rather the repub-
lean members of each, get together.
The naval committee was said TO
be in accord with the presidents
suggestion that congress expedite
legislation for conversion of two
battle cruisers now building into
airplane carriers. The sum of
s10,O00,000 each has been expend
ed on the cruisers and Admiral
Coontz estimated that the two
could be converted for $13,000,000
each, which would be $4,000. .000
cheaper, he said, than building
anew Vessels which may be Sc
lected for such conversion are
building at Fore River, Mass, New
port News ana BHlllueipHla, anu 1t
was pointed out that an early start
would provide employment for
of men.
Status of First Glass.
The status of the first class at
was not touched on in
letail at today's conference, al
though II was said the president
advocated sharp cut in the num-
ber of men to be admitted eacn
year during the naval holiday.
Chairman Kelley's committee has
IN consideration plan by which
1856 of the $40 members of the first
class will be commissioned, the
others being turned back to civil
life.
Not much was forthcom ming as to
he presidents ideas concerning
possible reductions in the officer
but reports at the capitol
indicated that members had been
with the navy argument
hat to keep the "treaty navy" on
ts toes, full complement would
De required for each ship. 1t is
Known, however, that the appropri-
,tions committee plans to retire
bout 400 retired officers of vary
ng rank now on active duty.