Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-20
1OCRU|SERS 0. KID;
FUNDS ASKED FOR 3
Committee Approves Butler
Bill, Urging Money at Once
for Ships Authorized.

The Butler bill, authorizing the
| construction of 10 light cruisers for
the Navy was today unanimously
ordered reported to the House by the
| naval affairs committee.
The committee also went on record
in favor of an immediate appropri-
alton for the three light cruisers au-
thorized by the act of 1924, according
to Representative Fred A. Britten,
Republican, of Illinois, who ranks
| next to Chairman Butler, on the COM
mittee.
Chairman Butler amplified, how
ever, that there had been no formal
action of the committee favoring the
immediate appropriation of money to
begin construction of the three
cruisers authorized. He added that
there was a general understanding by
members of the committee that the
appropriations for these cruisers
should bo made.
1--WE all believe the way to start a
program is to start it," said Mr..
Butler.
Mr.. Butler pointed out that the
appropriation needed would not be in
excess of 100000 per ship; that no
more could be used during the com.
ing year, since the plans would have
| to be drawn, bids asked and other pre-
liminary work done.
Insists They Will Be Built.
"You can put this down." said Mr..
Butler. that this program is going
! to be built" referring to the pro-
| posal for 10 new cruisers.
Mr.. Butler continued that If it were
| not for the Christmas holidays com
| ing in he would ask the House tc
| consider the bill authorizing the 10
cruisers Immediately after the pas.
sage of the agriculture appropria
| tions bill.
| The action of the committee in re-
| porting the bill to the House fol-
lowed a sharp debate in which 1t
| was made clear that Mr.. Britten and
several other members of the COM
| mittee would not go along with the
plan to report the bill for the au-
thoriZation of 10 new cruisers and
allow the already authorized to go
| unappropriated for.
The Butler bill for the 10 new
cruisers was introduced Saturday
after five members of the committee
| had conferred with the President re-
garding his recommendation that no
appropriation be made at this time
for beginning the three cruisers au-
| thorized in 1924.
Early Consideration Sought.
The committee also determined to-
day to report resolution calling upon
the rules committee for a special rule
to take up and put through the But
| Ter bill after four hours of debate. An
effort will be made to get an early
consideration of this bill. The develop
ments in the House committee today
| indicated that the contest of those
who believe in the immediate appro-
! priation for the three cruisers au.
thorized in 1924 is not to be allowed
| to die. In some quarters 1t was said
| that there had been apparently an
understanding at the White House
| between the President and the five
| members who called upon him Fri
| day that the new authorization of 10
! cruisers would include the three au.
thoriZed in 1924 and that the old au.
thorization would be allowed to die.
| The resolution for the favorable re-
port of the Butler bill, however, had
coupled with it statement that the
| committee was in favor of an immedi-
ate appropriation for the three
cruisers now authorized, according to
Mr.. Britten.
Mr.. Britten said after the meeting
| that he personally was opposed to the
President so far as his recommends
| ton against appropriating for cruis-
ers at this session was concerned.
II am prepared to fight it out on
| the floor of the House, If need be, "
said Mr.. Britten. THE country
wants adequate cruisers for the Navy
! and will not tolerate our falling be-
| hind Japan and England in naval
strength. In 1914-16 the House naval
affairs committee, led President VIII
son and Secretary Daniels in franz
ing a naval program and was ap-
plauded all over the United States. I
think the country now will look with
approval on the same kind of leader
ship by the committee.
Others Are Reticent.
Other members of the House COM
| mittee were reticent about what hap.
| pened at the meeting today in con.
nection with the proposed appropria-
tion for the three cruisers now au.
thorized.
Mr.. Britten asserted, however, that
there would not have been a unani-
nous report of the bill If there
had not been an understanding the
committee would favor appropria-
tions for the three cruisers already
authorized.
The naval appropriation bill, which
is handled by the House appropria-
tions committee and not by the naval
affairs committee. will follow the
Agricultural APPROX alton bill. which
is now before the House. Responses
to inquiries today indicate that the
bill win follow the Presidents recon-
mendation and not carry authorization
of funds for the three cruisers when
it is reported to the House. Not
withstanding the attitude of members
of the naval affairs committee favor.
ing an appropriation at this time, the
bill may be allowed to go to the Sen
ate without an effort in the House
to make the appropriation for the
cruisers in the hope that the Senate
will add the clause. 1t is understood
that many members of the Senate are
strongly, in favor Of an. appropria-
ton at this time ,-@-..