Evening star., 1924-02-09
NAWEST|MATES
CUT BY COMMITTEE
Bill Reported to House Car.
ries $271,942, 2,867-&,-
453,00O Pared Off.

The annual naval appropriation bill,
carrying $271.942.s67, Of which $780,
100000 would be available for COM
pleting more than a score Of vessels
now under construction, was reported
today by the House appropriations
committee. The total is $4.453,000
less than budget estimates and $751;
024,000 less than the amount allotted
the Navy by Congress a year ago.
The bill provides $117,000.000 for
pay, enough to keep the Navy at its
present strength Of 6.469 officers and
$4,000 enlisted men during the fiscal
year beginning July 1 next. Provi-
sion also is made for 1902 officers
and 19,500 enlisted men in the Ma
Hine Corps-the present strength.
For aviation the bill carries $14,-
$4,000, or $57.174 less than last
years appropriation. The committee
explained that it had slashed $4,000
from the budget estimate for avia-
ton on account of a development
program recommended at Pearl Har-
bor, Hawaii, and Coco Solo. Canal
Zone, which has not been authorized
by law.
Polar Flight UnOpp06e0.
Commenting on the proposed polar
exploration trip of the dirigible
Shenandoah next summer, the report
said actual expenses over normal
operating costs would approximate
$183,O00 and that, since most Of this
amount would be met with current
appropriations, the committee had not
seen At to interfere in any way with
plans for the expedition.
AZ to new ship construction, the
committee Gaid- II .Kas .Hithont.10KHz
to authorize expenditures for vessels
not yet sanctioned by Congress. but
cited Information it had obtained to
is committed to program for build
ing types permissible under the Wash
ington arms conference treaty, which,
with the undermining program al
ready under way, would involve ex-
penditure of approximately $35, 600, 600
for the next ten years.
"A year ago." the report stated, "the
committee proposed-and it finally
became lava request by the Con-
gresS that the President take appro-
pirate steps looking to the consum-
nation of a supplemental treaty to
limit the construction by the leading
which the existing treaty did not eX-
tend or only controlled as to tonnage
and gun power. Up to this time
no formal conference has been held
looking to such supplemental
treaty.
Provides for Unnnished Work.
$50 far as this committee has been
able to ascertain, none of the foreign
powers which are parties to the
treaty actually has yet begun the con-
struction of any treaty exempted or
permitted craft since the conference
was concluded. America certainly
should not be the first, and should
exert it's influence to prevent the ne.
cessity arising to commence at ALL"
With reference to the appropria-
ton Of $S0,000,000 for continuing the
building of ships permissible under
the arms conference agreements, the
report said that on November 80 last
one battleship, two airplane carriers
six scout cruisers, thirteen subma-
rines. three fleet submarines, one gun.
boat, two destroyer tenders, one sub
marine tender and one repair shin
were in various stages of construc-
tion and would be completed during
ception of the two ariplane carriers
three of the scout cruisers and the
three fleet submarines. An additional
$6,50O,000, 1t was estimated, will have
to be appropriated to complete the
work.
The committee declined to accept a
budget recommendation that S2,S5O,-
900 be appropriated for commencing
the construction of three fleet sub
marines authorized in 1916, declaring
vo1no nf fhiS fvnn af Oh
not yet been proved. 1t recommended
instead, that 100000 be made avail
able for the development and testing
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