Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-05
Letter to House Naval Sub
committee Chairman De-
nies Reports of Change of
Front on His Message.
RAISES NO OBJECTIONS =
TO AUTHORIZATION PLAN
Admiral Bloch's Testimony That
20 Old Ships Would Not Have
Chance Against One of Modern
Construction Stirs Representa-
tives at Hearing.
By the Associated Press.

In the face of the gathering storm
in Congress over enlargement of the
American Navy, President Coolidge
today reafirmed his opposition to
the construction of new cruisers at
the present time.
In a letter TO Chairman French
of the House subcommittee consid-
ering naval appropriations the Presi-
dent declared that the budgets naval
recommendations, omitting funds
for the new ships, represents my
best judgment" and added that he
felt it his duty to stand by that
recommendation.
Mr.. Coolidge added, however, that
he saw no objection to a congress
sional Authorization" for more war
ships of the cruiser type, provided
there was no call on the Treasury
to carry the authorization into
effect.
When the letter reached the Capitol,
the House naval committee was hear
ing testimony regarding the condition
of the Navy, including a statement by
Rear Admiral G.. c. Bloch, the ord
nance chief, that the Nations present
naval force includes about 20 old
cruisers that wouldn't have a chance
against a modern ship"
Consider Revising Budget.
On the basis of this and other state
ments, some of the House Republican
leaders were giving serious considera-
%
budget recommendations and author
ize construction of at least three
cruisers.
President CooIidge's letter appar-
emily was prompted by widely cir
culated reports that he had receded
from his previous position. The text
of the communication follows:
"My dear Mr.. French:
"This is to assure you that when 1
send a budget to the Congress it rep
resents my best judgment and that
1 feel it my duty to defend it and
support 1t, which / do at all times,
unless j send up a supplemental esti-
mate. This is sent to you because of
certain reports, which have come TO
me relative to further appropriations
for the building of cruisers. The fact
that I have expressed to certain
members of the House naval COM
mittee my willingness to approve an
for more cruisers, If the
Congress wished to provide for them
in accordance with the recommenda-
tions in my general messages has ap-
parently resulted i'm the confused
conclusion that / had changed my
attitude on my budget message in
relation to building more than five
cruisers. which we are now building
during the present year"
Included i'm List of Ships.
The old cruiser referred to by
Bloch in his testimony had
been included, the admiral said, in a
list of ships given the House yester-
day by Mr.. French, as representing
this country'S sea strength. Some of
the cruisers dated from the battle
of Manila, Admiral Bloch declared.
and lone modern ship could lick the
whole bunch of them
He then added that cruisers now
being built or appropriated for by
foreign countries would easily out
speed and outshoot the % American
cruisers now in service.
The admiraPS statement created
of sensation in the naval
Chairman Butler declared
he was almost knocked over" when
he learned that the list of ships given
the House by Representative French
"these dear old derelicts-
somI of them ships / knew 35 years
ago."
French explained that his list of
vessels Of other nations also included
many old ships.
The committee decided to report
'avorably a bill for reconditioning and
mn
Oklahoma and Nevada.
Authorized Last Session.
The three cruisers now in dispute
we're authorized" last session, but
he naval appropriation bill as it now
stands contains no money for building
hem. Representative Tilson, the Re-
publican floor leader, talked the stu
ltion over yesterday with President
Coolidge, and some of his colleagues
Indicated r. belief afteTward that the
White House would consent to an ap-
for the three previously
authorized ships, provided q pending
proposal to authorize" 10 others was
jared down to merely authorizing
even. This proposal carries no ap-
,ropriation.
After listening to Admiral Bloch's
estimony. however, Representative
l1SOIl OI SCOA 3D. Ad1Ar4tIS
IN the naval committee, and Repre-
entative Britten, Republican, Illi.
lois both said they would demand the
uil 10 be authorized in addition to last
-ear'S three.
Mr. Tilson said he still was con
idering whether to propose amending
he naval appropriation bill to provide
money for the three cruisers.
Britten Doubts Arms Cut.
Representative Britten today car
led his fight to the House floor,
where the naval appropriation bill is
lnder debate. He described the gen.
raj preliminary arms conference as
Silly" a Joke" and ''bosh," declared
10 further arms limitation agreement
an be reached because the United
states Navy has nothing more to
crap"
The President. he told the House,
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