Evening star., 1928-03-18
2N,ODO,O(O NAVAL
BILL PASSES HOUSE
Fifteen Cruisers and One Air.
craft Carrier Supported
by Large Majority.
By the Associated Press

| By the Associated Press
Strengthening of the American Navy
| by the construction Of Is new 10000
ton cruisers and one aircraft carrier of
1880 tone was approved yesterday by
the House. The cost Of the proposed
ships, exclusive of aircraft equipment,
has been estimated at $274 1000. 900.
The House action came with passage
| by standing vote of 287 to 81 OF the
Butler bill to authorize the building Of
| the vessels. The measure now goes to
| the Senate.
An unsuccessful effort was made by
| Representative Blanton, Texas. Demo-
| crat. to obtain a record vote on final
passage. Under House rules this is
! possible only by the consent OF one
/ fifth Of the members present and less
than that number supported the Texans
motion.
Arms Farley Urged.
The bill as passed carried an amend
ment by Representative Sproul. Re-
publican. Kansas. to request the Presi-
dent to urge the necessity" for fur
ther international conference for naval
arms limitations. II also would give
the President power to suspend any or
all of the construction In the event OF
such an agreement being reached.
Another amendment. sponsored by
Representative Dallinger. Republican,
Massachusetts. was written into the
measure to provide that half Of the
ships must be constructed In Govern
ment navy yards.
The cruisers, the largest that can be
built under terms Of the Washington
naval pact, would be laid down at the
| years 1929 and 1881. inclusive The
aircraft carrier, less than half the size
Of the carriers Lexington and Saratoga,
| would be started prior TO June 80, 1880.
The measure fails to propose a
| definite completion date for any OF the
| vessels, but the naval committee which
drafted the program argued that the
| provision that the Secretary OF the
Navy annually submit estimates 10 the
! Budget Bureau 70 carry on the con-
gtruction would insure building OF the
ships and prevent them from becoming
only paper fleet"
Competition Denied.
The bill also would direct the Secre-
/ tary Of the Navy TO submit 10 Congress
by December 10 next. specifications and
| the estimated cost OF two salvage ships
/ for use in submarine or other ship
! disasters
Supporters Of the bill argued that
! the program represented the original
American proposal TO the unsuccessful
Geneva naval parley; that 1t was de-
signed TO meet the needs only OF the
American Navy and was not competi-
tive with the naval building programs
of other nations.
Twenty Of the 2l members OF tbs
naval committee concurred In tht
statement that completion OF the IL
ships stiil would leave the United
States second 10 Great Britain in SET
power
headed by Representative McClIntic ol
Oklahoma. q Democrat on the naVa
committee, who sought unSuccesafui!s
10 provide for the construction Of j.
submarines In place 0f the cruisers. anC
aIsJ by Representative La Guardia, a
New York Republican, who argued tha'
there vas no danger ~ war within 4
generation and that the ships woult
outiiVe their usefulness without eyel
firing shot in battle.
After passage NJ the bill la Guards
issued statement declaring that he
Ike Eianton. felt that action shDult
/ nave been taken by record vote, add
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