Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-12-15
PRESIDENT HAS
ACTED To PLACE
LIMIT ON SMALL
TYPE WARSH|PS
Harding Has Been Engaged
for Several Months With
the Question Of Negotiat-
Ing With Big Powers
CALIFORNIA SOLON
GIVES INFORMATION
Subcommittee Had Not
Consulted the Chief EX-
eCutive Prior to PreSenta-
,tion of the Measure

Washington, Dec. 14.-President
Harding, according to a statement
made in the house today, "has been
engaged for several months with
the question of negotiating with
the big powers abroad, relative TO
limiting the construction of war
ships under 10000 tons, which he
is requested TO do under provision
Of the navy supply bill.
This information as to the re-
ported attitude of the president
was given by Representative Lin
berger, republican, California, dur
ing q brief furry of debate, while
Chairman Kelley of the sub-com-
mittee, in charge of the measure,
was seeking to explain the reasons
for the request. 1t was, admitted
ly, a surprise to the committee,
which had not consulted the presi-
dent prior to presentation of the
bill.
Mr.. Kelley had just declared that
while the arms conference had af-
forded net saving Of $12S,000,0o0,
the general staff of the navy had
recommended a projected pro-
gram, uuueI lIlC 4N5VNV NCh ''ii'-
tation, entailing the expenditure or
1891, 100000.
THE gentleman is requesting the
president to do something which
we and every one knows he has
been engaged in doing for several
months past" interrupted Mr..
Lineberger. Would it not be
much better verbiage to approve
that which the president is now
doing rather than to request him
to do something that he has been
doing for months?'
Mr.. Kelley said he was not in
terested in the language of the
request, as set forth in the bill,
ut the same time expressing the
hope that the Californian agreed
with the idea.
II do agree with you in prin-
ciple," he replied.
Tbo only other reference to the
president was made by Represent
tatlve Byrnes, South Carolina,
ranking democrat of the sub-com-
mittee who said he did not know
what Mr.. Liueberger had told the
house, that "rhe president now Is
at work upon some plan for the
calling OF another conference for
the limitation of armament"
Hopes 1t Is Correct
~ assume that the gentleman
has the information from the pres
ident," Mr.. Byrnes added. "and !
am delighted to know that this is
true. l must say that I should
value the information more and
that l would feel more confident
about It IL only l could have the
gentleman state that he did receive
it from the president but | do not
see him on the floor. So far as |
am concerned,it is my dearest hope
that it Is correct"
Many questions were directed at
Mr.. Kelley as to what the other
nations had done in the matter of
naval reduction.
'I do not think any nation has
undertaken to destroy any of its
ships, although Great Britain pos
sibly has scrapped some of its old
ships, which she had already be-
gun to scrap before the confer
ence," he said.
Chairman Butler of the naval
committee broke into the discus
sion. 1--WE have accomplished just
this by this" he said. 1--WE have
traded the sixteen-inch gun for
two eight-inch gins" and Repre-
sentative Britten, Illinois, ranking
republican of the naval committee,
declared 1--WE have lost the oppor-
tunity to become the first naval
power and we shall probably be
the second or third"
Bill Had Easy Sailing
Generally, the bill had easy sail
ing. Mr.. Byrnes ard Representa-
tive Oliver. democrat, Alabama,
another member Of the sub-com-
mittee, discussed the measure in
detail and explained how the arms
conference had affected the build
ing programs. Mr.. Oliver said that
out of ten battleships and six bat
tie cruisers authorized by the 1916
program, only three would be re-
tanned by the navy under the arms
treaty.
Taking up the bill item by item
the house had covered one-fourth
OF the distance when it quit to-
night, and 1t will be held in port
tomorrow while an election contest
is given right of way.