Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-20
$740,o)Q,0Q0 naval
BILL TO Be DRAWN
House Committee Ready to
Begin Work on Legislation
for Program.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Having heard q great deal Of testi-
mony for and against the administra-
tion's proposed s74o.ooo.ooo naval con-
struction program. the House naval
committee Is prepared to begin drafting
the necessary legislation to put before
the House.
Prediction that the comittee would
follow the recommendations Of Secre-
tary Wilbur. except in one respect, was
made last night by Representative Brit
ten of Illinois, ranking Republican on
the committee. In his opinion the
committee will include In the bill pro-
vision for Is cruisers to replace % OBJ
solete craft. five aircraft carriers and
35 submarines
The one exception in prospect con-
Germs Secretary Wilbur's recommenda-
ton for nine destroyer leaders. Repre-
sentative Britten said they might be
left out Of the bill because there remain
Il destroyers authorized under the 1916
program. and these might be converted
to the leader clas later If the Navy de-
sires and when the Treasury balance
will permit.
Suggests Cruiser Time Limit.
Representative Britten said he did
not believe that fixing of time limit
for laying down Of some Of the ships
would meet with serious opposition by
President Coolidge. and he suggested
that such limit might be established
in the bill for 10 or Is Of the cruisers
and one or two Of the aircraft carriers
Completion Of the new cruisers ir
1885. Representative Britten said. would
give the United States only $4,000 tons
OF 8-inch gun cruisers against the Brit
ish proposal at the Geneva arms confer
ence OF 100000 tons. and that the IS
submarines TO replace the old ones
93.364 tons now IN that type OF craft
Replacement Program.
Representative Britten characterized
the program as almost entirely q re-
placement one" and added:
1T Is not the Governments policy or
desire to retain superiority in subma-
rtnes. but to reduce tonnage 70 the
spirit OF the Washington treaty regard
less OF whether or not there Is a treaty
to that effect"
Representative Howard. Democrat,
Nebraska. also issued q statement
opposing the naval program. declaring
IL constituted n monStruus military
challenge" and serves notice that the
United States Government Is not In
sympathy with the sentiment Of civil
lied humanity"
Spafford for Program.
Edward E Spafford. commander Of
the American Legion. today added his
name TO those who favor the admins
tration's new warship construction pro-
gram.
He told the House naval committee
that 1t should not be concerned over
.he protests against the program and
said he would send 10 American LeSion
posts o statement Of the facts as he
saw them and let those posts wire
and write their views to you.'
SpaTord said he appeared voluntarily
20 answer opposition being raised 20 the
program by Frederick ]. Libby Of the
National Council for Prevention II War.
The American Legion head ccn,snded
'hat persons advocating abolition cs the
submarine were proposing action that
would take away one of the mos. ef-
iectivs weapons az the United States
and materially aid the Nation With the
biggest merchant feet,