Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-04

time ago the house voted, lit ayes to
100 noes, to increase the personnel Of
the navy from $1,000, recommended by
the appropriations committee in the
interests of economy, to $1,000, urged
strongly by President Harding in a per-
sonal message to the house.
Behind his message to congress,
which is credited with the overturn of
the committees recommendations and
the overruling of republican leadership
of the house in this matter, was pres
sure which was brought to bear on the
president by members of the senate.
The action taken by the house was and
still is viewed from many angles. BY
some it is called a severe and unwar
ranted attack on the pocketbook Of the
American taxpayer. 1t has been called
still it is said that even $4,000 men is
not the full number needed to man the
ships properly of the restricted navy
allotted the United States under the
treaty agreed upon at the recent con-
ference for the limitation of arma-
ments.
The members of the house all have
to 60 before their constituents this fall
for reelection. 1t was generally felt
that the country at large wants gov
eminent outlays of money cut to the
very bone. Any war Of the future is
felt to be many years away, if not en-
tirely improbable, even impossible. The
countries of the world, carrying enor-
mously heavy war debts and conse-
quent large loads of taxes, are not, as
a matter of fact, eager to resume
fighting with each other on any con-
siderable scale.
But while the treaty to limit the
naval ornaments of the great powers
was still before the senate for ratifica-
ton, President Harding was told in no
uncertain terms by certain western
senator's that unless the larger per-
sonnet for the navy was strongly rec
commended by him to the house, the
prospects for ratification of the naval
treaty would be slim indeed.
The Senate Situation
Tn the midst of all Of the row about
the personnel of the navy with most
members of the house facing an i'm
mediate accountability to their CON
stituents for voting 10000 men. a
strong group Of senator's took the
stand that it would be a ridiculous
thing to have a certain number of
fighting ships allowed in the American
navy, if some of them were going to
be so stripped of crew that they would
have to lie idle at their moorings, with
only sufficient force aboard to keep
the vessels from being utterly ruined
by rust and neglect.
The navy department repeatedly
pointed out to congress and the people
that only a portion of the capital ships
allowed the United States could be
to operate them, if the cut to $1,000
men was made in the personnel of the
navy. In spite of this, the leaders Of
the majority in the lower branch of
congress-, in the interests of economy
and in response to the public clamor
against continuing heavy taxes if they
can in any way be reduced, were bent
on putting through the smaller naval
quota.
President Harding did not want to
embarrass any members of the house.
particularly the leadership of that
body, by using his influence in the
fight. He having been a member of
congress he knew the exact situation
in which many of its present members.
with an election on their hands, found
themselves. however, he was moved
to urge the larger personnel because
of the fact that otherwise ratification
of the naval treaty in the senate would
have been the subject of a real fight,
with strong possibilities of defeat.
1t can be stated on the best author
ity that one of the western senator's.
and one who has long been associated
with naval legislation. told the presi-
dent flatIy that he and several of his
colleagues would have to fight the
naval treaty to the last ditch unless
what they considered an adequate per-
sonnet for the American navy was pro-
vided. The defeat of the treaty would
have been a far more serious question
for the county and the whole world
than would the addition or subtraction
of 10000 men from the personnel of
the American navy. 1t would have up
set all of the international agree
ments reached here in Washington by
the world powers. 1t would have meant
going on with the interminable race
of naval arguments, and in the end
would have meant. the administration
felt, very much greater tax burdens
than the 1900 increase of the navy
personnel could possibly mean.
1t is generally believed here that
many of the people of the country will
But we believe no candid person