The Washington times., 1922-11-04
BAT Tie IN
CONGRESS
IS LIKELY
Congressman Swing Starts
Move to Have Estimate In
creased to Meet Needs.
by WINDER X. HARRIS.
Universal Sarxire
Universal Service.

policy, which the budget authori-
ties are attempting to enforce at
the expense of the navy, not only
threatens to weaken its fighting
force far below the strength con
templated in the fve-power naval
treaty, but would rob the Pacific
fleet of vital shore facilities.
This phase of the new danger
to the nations first line of de-
fense was revealed today, follow
ing Universal Services exclusive
disclosure yesterday of the men,
acing blow aimed by the Govern
ments economy experts at the
rights of the United States to
position as a first-class sea power.
No Provisions For Bases.
The naval estimates for appro-
priations, as the budget officers
contemplate submitting them to
President Harding before transmit
ting them to Congress. make prac-
tically no provision To meet inn
perative needs at the bases. yards,
and stations along the west coast
and in Hawaii.
With the navy's principal battle
iOlCtS permanently dSSlSncu 10 tHt
Pacific and the prevalent belief
among naval experts and diplo-
matists that the next war involving
this country will come from that
direction. the possible disastrous
effects of the proposed refusal to
provide adequate facilities to back
UP the fleet are readily apparent
even to the laymen. Shore faClH-
Tor ucS are eN' Ii more important TO
high seas fighters than the serv.
ice of supplies behind the lines Is
to the army along the battlefront.
Congressman Phil ID. Swing CRcp)
OF the San Diego district in Cali
fornia, Il member of the House
Naval Affairs Committee. has
learned of the impending danger
TO the security of the Pacific
States and has launched a deter
mined fight for a supplemental
naval budget that will insure ade-
quate provision for the west coast.
Swing declares the present budget
being considered by Budget Director
Lord in no way cares for the needs
of the Pacific Fleet on shore The
most surprising feature of this
failure to recognize and provide
for the nations first danger point
Is the manner in which 1t came
about.
Gregory Report Not Awaited.
When Rear Admiral l.. d. Gregory
recently was made chief of the bu-
reau of yards and docks, he at once
saw that his foremost task was TO
strengthen the naval stations on
which the Pacific fleet must rely
for fuel, supplies. munitions and re-
pairs in time of war. Not satisfied
sn lraN rarnn1fnnnnn ions from
previous reports at hand, he OBJ.
tanned Secretary Denby's approval
for a personal tour Of inspec-
ton. He started out to visit every
base, station and yard on the Pa
Cific coast and also in Hawaii. His
schedule was arranged so as to give
him ample time to get back and
prepare his estimates before the
budget figures were due for presen.
tation to the budget office.
But in the midst of his trip. Bud
get Director Lord ordered the navy's
estimates submitted thirty days in
advance of the time they were origi.
nally due. And while Admiral Gre
CORY still was getting first-hand in
formation on which to base his re-
quests for appropria tons, other Of
ficials in the Navy Department were
required to prepare the estimates for
his burau.
Admiral Gregory found on his re-
turn that the figures submitted in
his absence failed absolutely to
meet the needs of the situation. He
Vehemently protested, demanding
the right to present revised esti-
mates, but got nowhere. At that
point Swing stepped in. Mr.. Swing
said today:
II have undertaken to have the
Navy Department prepare supple
mentary estimates presented to the
budget bureau that will meet the
actual crying needs of the Pacific
coast at the present time. Any
man who knows anything about
the navy knows that in the amount
of facilities for caring for the fleets
that the Atlantic coast has about
three-fourths, while the Pacific
coast has only about one.fourth.
This situation came about be-
cause up to three years ago vir-
tually the entire fleet was in the
Atlantic. Now all the effective
fighting force is In the Pacific. 1t,
therefore, becomes imperatively nec-
essary that proper facilities be pro-
vided on the Pacific coast and in
Hawaii for taking care OF the
fleet"
To Carry Fight 10 DENLY.
Swing will carry his fight squarely
up to Secretary DENLY when the
Secretary returns from campaign
speaking tour next week. Mr..
DENLY Is understood to be entirely
in sympathy with the views OF the
experts who realize the demands OF
the Pacific coast situation. The
trouble is anticipated in getting the
budget bureau to permit revision
of the section OF the naval esti.
mates dealing with land stations
After insisting on slashes that would
cripple and demora.ize the sea
forces, little response Is expected
from the economy experts to de.
nands for more money for shore
facilities.
However, the President must pass
on all estimates before they go to-
Congress. And the White House
is where Swing undoubtedly will