New-York tribune., 1922-07-01
Senate Passes
Bill to Scrap
Navy Vessels
Measure Meets With Little
Opposition. Except From
Senator King. Who Cites
japanese Building Plans
Disputes $1,000. .O0OCosi
Newberry Shows Contracts
We're Made at Fixed Price
and Changed During War

F-o-, Thr Tribune, Washington Bs-sag
WASHINGTON. June 30.--The Sen
atc passed the naval scrspping bill,
which cuts down TIRE number Of cspi-
tai ships in accordance with the arms
conference agreement. with l.ttlc op-
position except from Senator King. of
Utah. who called attention 70 reports
,aat Japan is rapidly building war
ships.
Senator King pat into ths record
n,Hsyaper articles which went into
details concerning JApans alleged
naval program and which asserted
Japan is leading in naval eons..ue-
ton and on unrestricted types Is
forging ahead Of the 20 ratio fxed
for bat,lcships. Further. II was as
serted that in light cruisers. sub
marines and aircraft Japan IS building
with great energy.
"this illustrates what was stated by
the opponents Of the naval treaty and
other conference trcatles, That Japan
and other nations viii perhaps engage
In other naval activities wniea VIII
give them an advantage over tne
United states. They were not by tne
agreement limited in the construction
Of submarines or sirplanes or other
naval war activities or devices.
Senator King called attention = tnc
facf tina, some Of the ablest nava.
aut-ori,ics in Great Britain. such as
ei- Percy Scott. Rad declared .hat the
5.v 81 the battleship was over.
,Ye. tire treaty" said Senator King
-cf,rr;ng "a tire naval agreement, al
lows full and unrestricted opportunity
70 construct as many submarines as
they desire and IS many airplanes a.
they wish"
Futile as War Preventative
He asserted the naval treaty is ~
tile for the prevention Of war.
The bill. w.fch has already passed
the House. grants the President au-
tboritv 20 discontinue construction
and cancel or modify contracts for
seven first class battleships and siA
h,,tio cruisers. and 20 settle claim
on a fair and equitable basis The
President Is authorized further 70 IN
sertate tre conversion Of the battle
cruisers Saratoga and Lexington into
,irniare carriers. The limit Of cost OF
~. ba,.lcships West Virginia and Col
or,so +, increased from $4,000 900 70
a. 600 600. and OF scout cruisers No.
20 ~ inclusive from Nrooo'''o 10
ss.e50.000.
Senator King asserted that under tne
official figures the cancellation Of con.
tracts referred 20 IN the nill "oula
or,.,i a cost Of $40 900. 600 20 the gov
ernmcn,. He predicted demands on
tho government which might reacn
5000 000 600.
Senator Poirdexter said the purpose
of the bill was 20 restrict the govern,
ments obligations and said board OF
high naval officers would have charge
Of the liquidation. Senator King con
demned the bill because u gave me
President unlimited authority 70 csneel
contracts and sdjus, claims. WIN M
tribunal constituted By law 20 pass or
.her. He said the bill simply .providedi
FOR Just compensation" ard he urged
,ba, an amendment be pu, IN ~nier
would exclude anticipated proht'.
bu, senator Poindextsr opposed this
ard did rot deem II necessary.
Cost Plus Contracts
Senator King reminded the Senate
hat the contracts we're cost plus con.
tracts. Senator Newberry interrupted
70 say the contracts were made IN 1915
a. fxei price. Then when the wai
broke out the Administration Cancelled
them and changed them 70 cost plus j.
per cent and in 1920 Cancelled them and
made them on the basis OF cost plus
reasonable fee.
Senator Poirde>ter declared the pro
visions for converting two battle cruis
ers into airplane carriers we're the
ro,. important of the bill. Senator
King agreed this was true senator
Poindexter said the President would
no, sc, toward conversion until hnal
steps we're taken By Japan and Great
Britain for ratification of the nsva.
agreement. Senator PoindeNter stated
hat steps toward ratification had been
taken bv Japan and Great Britain, bu'
France and Italy had not acted.
Senator Overman pointed out that IN
the deficiency bill s5.ooo.000 vas a..
lowed 20 carry out the provisions OF
the scrapping bill.
That was 20 get Us out Of contracts
We had on those ships that are 20 be
scrapped." said Senstor PoindeXter.