Evening star., 1928-03-16
Texan Holds Officials Have
No Business Attending
Bill Discussions.
$274,000, 900 PROGRAM
GROWING IN POPULARITY
Chairman French, Former Foe of
Measure, Says He Will Sup
port Wilbur's Plan.

I
Another row broke out In the House
today over the propriety of Secretary
Wilbur occupying front-row seat III
the chamber yesterday during consider
alton of the s274,Ooo 900 new warshir
construction program.
| Representative Blanton, Texas, Demo-
| crat, revived the discussion by calling
| attention to the absence of Mr.. Wilbur
| today, declaring that the Secretary had
attended q cabinet meeting during the
morning and decided not to come
back"
Cabinet members had no place on
the floor when bills affecting their de-
partments were being talked about, he
contended.
Earlier in the day Representative
McKeown. an Oklahoma Democrat.
visited the Navy Department and ex-
pressed regret to Mr.. Wilbur that he
had been attacked for appearing in the
House chamber.
Courtesy Is Demanded.
Shortly after Bianton concluded Rep
resentative Wolverton, Republican, New
Jersey, declared in the House that
the same rules of courtesy and hos
pltality that existed In homes should
apply to cabinet officers visiting the
House.
Prospects Of House approval of S274.-
100000 construction program increased
materially today. when Chairman
French OF the appropriations commit
tee. consisting naval affairs, announced
he proposed TO support it.
French, year ago led an unsuccess-
hllf Grf1 Tod.
for funds 10 start construction on the
last three of the eight cruisers author
lied In 1924
He said today that while he was not
In entire accord with all provisions of
the program. that he believed 1t rep
resented as nearly as possible q cross
section of various views, and, therefore,
he would vote for It. During his re-
marks he also said that the appropria-
tions committee next week would re-
port the annual Navy Department sup
ply bill. and that 1t would call for an
expenditure of 100000 for the
Navy during the next fiscal year.
Visit Draws Condemnation.
Exercising the privilege accorded cabi-
net members. the Naval Secretary went
to the House yesterday during the de-
bate ON the proposal to build Is cruisers
and one aircraft carrier and took seat
In the front row on the floor.
Representative HuddleSton Democrat,
Alabama, denounced his presence I'm no
uncertain terms and was aided In the
attack by Representative McCllntic.
Oklahoma Democratic member of the
naval committee. Several others, in
cluding a member OF Huddleston's own
party. said the House rules gave VIII
bur perfect right to be there
Throughout 1t all. Wilbur sat In ST.
lence. as the rules prevented him from
making reply.
Tils0n Defends Wilbur.
Huddleston asserted the House was
able TO Go business without the pres
ence OF Wilbur, who obtained the floor
over his protest. He said he was op-
posed TO the presence OF any cabinet Of
ficer on the floor at time when mat
ters In which they are vitality concerned
!s under consideration
Representative Tilson of Connecticut,
the Republican leader. took up the
cudgels for the Secretary. He declared
he regretted Huddlestons action since
the rules extended such privileges to
cabinet members and practically were
tantaniount to inviting them TO appear.
They are public officials just as we
are" he said "and 1t Is d pity they do
not come more often"
Replying 10 Tilson, McCllntic said he
regarded the presence of cabinet officers
on the floor during consideration OF bills
affecting their departments as an CT
fort To influence Congress and estab-
iished a bad precedent"
Representative updike Republican
Indiana, then called attention that sew
efal representatives OF pacifist organtza -
tions were at that time In the gallery
and said Wi'hur's presence was prefer
able 10 theirs.
While he was not special admirer'
Of the Secretary of the Navy Repre-
sentative Abetnethy. North Carolina
Democrat. said the rules permitted his
presence. and III comes with poor taste
Tor q member Uf this House to criticize
member Of the cabinet In this way.
-. Wrangie Over Program.
The debate then turned back to the
matter at issue and produced Il wraEgIe
between La Gnardla, Republican. New
York. and Britten. Republican, Illinois
La duardia. who at one time held a
seat AS Ii Socialist, said there was no
danger Of war within the lifetime
of the ships proposed and asked: Who
are You going 10 night? Germany and
Austria have no navy. and there isn't
chance Of war with England
Communism and bOlshfVam, the
party the gentleman represents" an"
sWered Bftien, who later attacked the
National Council for the Prevention oi
War ana Women's International League
which are opposed 10 The building pro-
gram M two paciiiht organizations
with high sounding names"