New Britain herald., 1928-02-14
BRI71EN SUPPORTS BIG NAVY PROGRAM Illinois Congressman Will Not However, Insist on 5 Year Limit BACKS C0OLlDGE'S VIEW Believes Presidents Idea of Having
 Larger Navy But Built Within
 Dictates Of Sound Financial Policy
 Is Best.

Washington, Feb. 14 R)-Repre- sentative Britten. of Illinois. one of the leaders of the "big navy" group in the house, said today he would not fight for the building of the ad- ministration's naval program in five years, but that he intended to sup port President Coolidge, whose wish lit is to have no time limit specified. Has Been Leader Britten heretofore has led the fight for the construction of the various elements of the naval program with in . specified time limit. After a call at the White House today he said that he had been convinced that the president was right in desiring to round out the navy in keeping with the condition of the treasury and that he expected to support both in the house naval committee and on the floor, the program of MT Coolidge as submitted recently to lsongress.
 This plan contemplates the con- etruction of 25 cruisers, five airplane carriers nine destroyer leaders and S2 submarines at a cost of $740,- o0o,ooe over . period of possibly eight years but without any stipula- ton made in the bill as to when building should begin or be com- pleted.
 Backs Presidents View
 "I am now of the opinion" Britten said. ''that the presidents idea of building these craft as rapidly as possible but still within the dictates of sound financial policy is best and I Intend to support him in every phase of the administrators pro- posal."
 Replying to charges that the ad- ministration's program was a highly expensive one, Mr. Britten declared that If 1t were carried out over a period of eight years it would add only 29 per cent over the navy budg- ct for appropriations submitted this year. This figure. which. he said. would represent an increase from $362.000,o00 to $416,O00.000 annual ly for the entire navy budget. would include pay for 10000 additional men. the construction of three addi- tional dirigibles and the completion of the battleship9 Oklahoma and Ne vada.
 Presidents Latest Opinion ] Washington. Feb. 14 (UP)-Pres- ident Coolidge has sent word indi- rectly to the house naval affairs committee that he will be satisfied with a considera ble reduction in the proposed naval building program.
 whose size has aroused so much pro- test, it was learned today. The committee was informed the president would insist only upon the l 25 new 10000 ton cru.-ers proposed and is willing to drop at this time the rest of the program. which con- sists of 32 submarines. nine destroy CT leaders and five aircraft carriers.
 The president is making these concessions because of the numer- ous protests coming to members of the committee, it is understood. The protests have become 90 insistent that the committee has decided to hear some of those in opposition. and they will begin to appear before the committee tomorrow.
 The proposed changes favored by Coolidge have been discussed by the committee in executive session. They were laid before the committee by Representative Darrow. rep, Pa. who discussed the situation with President Coolidge at the White House.
 Public Sentiment The reaction of public sentiment against the large expenditures pro-
 posed for the naval stablishment. which would total approximately 14,2OO, 100000 in the next 10 years.
 h beginning to reflect itself in con- gress, with the result that insistence
 upon the 71-ship program probably (Continued on Page 1S)