Evening star., 1928-03-17
NAVY BILL READY
| FOR HOUSE ACTION
s274,000,00O Measure, With
Arms ParIey Plea, Up To-
day ior Final Vote.

Carrying an amendment requesting
President Coolidge to urge the ''neces-
sity" for another international confer
ence for the limitation OF naval arma-
ments, the $274, 100000 new warship
construction program was before the
House for final vote on passage today
The construction program, according
to its proponents. represents the mini
mum tonnage needed by the United
States Navy and conforms to the
original American proposal at the
Geneva conference.
The amendment paving the way for
another arms parley was sponsored by
Representative Sproul, Republican
Kansas. ,and was accepted without a
vote Just before its acceptance, naval
supporters In the House had beaten a
series of attempts to modify the con-
struction program. The House accepted
by a vote Of lis to l02. however, all
amendment bv Representative Dallineer,
Republican. Massachusetts. to provide
that 8 OF the proposed l6 ships be
constructed In Government yards.
Opposed by Butler.
The Dallinger amendment precipitat-
ed a sharp debate and was opposed by
Chairman Butler Of the naval affairs
committee. and Chairman Madden OF
the appropriations committee. the lat
ter contending that 1t probably will cost
100000 more per ship to have the
work done by naval yards On the otl,er
hand, Let's. an Iowa Republican. and
Bland of Virginia and Black of New
York. both Democrats, supported Dali
linger's position.
Mr.. Black then offered as an amend
ment the II new warship construction
program originally submitted by Secre-
tary Wilbur. This was turned down by
an overwhelming majority. He then
chided the Republicans at the failure
OF a single member of that party TO
support the naval Secretary's recon-
mendations. which were presented at
the time OF their submission to Congress
as being In line with the fiscal pro-
gram OF President Coolidge.
Dallinger won the fight for his amend
ment by his plea that 1t was only fair
,tnat at least half Of the proposed Is
cruisers and one aircraft carrier should
be built in navy yards and several
members supporting his stand, said that
the statement had been made that the
program had been offered 10 Congress
Tor the relief OF private snipyards.
throughout consideration of the bill
a half dozen unsuccessful attempts
were made by Representative McClintic.
Democrat. Oklahoma. to materially
amend it. One OF his proposals sought
the construction of Is submarines rather
than cruisers. and also the provision OF
funds to equip the l3 American capital
ships with additional airplane launching
facilities. This was rejected 100 TO %.
Bianton Blocks Vote.
The Oklahoman likewise was uns,Ic-
ceSsful in an effort to provide that the
proposed cruisers be specifically as
signed as leaders for destroyer SQUAD
rons. He argued that cruisers, equip
ped with an adequate number OF air.
craft. could be used more effectively
IN this way than the Navy probably
would use them.
Representative Blanton, Democrat
Texas blocked final vote on the bill
Just before adjournment yesterday. He
demanded the reading OF the engrossed
measure. which would have neceSsitated
sending the bill TO the Government
Printing Once for printing as amended,
House leaders thereupon postponed the
final vote until today,
preceding the voting on amendments
the House consumed four or more hours
IN debate. a part OF which touched
upon the propriety OF Secretary VIII.
burs presence on the floor.