The Washington times., 1929-12-26
QUE ENGHES
FIRES Of
DEBATE

Congressional debate upon in
ternational relations and the
American navy in particular win
be curtailed as much as possible
during the London arms confer
ence by withholding the annual
Navy appropriation bill from the
House and the World Court prot
Ocol from the Senate, it was dis
closed today.
The decision upon the part OF
Administration leaders Of the
House to. delay the naval supply
bill is expected to prevent an en-
barraSsing discussion Of President
Hoover's action in holding up
construction of three cruisers and
the ever-troublesome question Of
parity with Great Britain.
Had Planned Questioning.
Leaders in the "big navy bloc"
including Representative Britten,
R), of Illinois, chairman Of the
naval affairs committee, had al
ready made known their inten-
ion of questioning the wisdom
and authority of the Presidents
action on the 15-cruiser program
for which Congress authorized
$2T4, ,000, 900.
Although leaders will not ad-
NIT the Navy bill Is being held
up solely because of the London
conference, which begins January
81. Representative French (R.)
OF Idaho, chairman Of the sub
committee in charge. said:
It fits In nicely with the naval
conference and things generally
to have the naval appropriation
bill come before the House some
time in February instead Of
January"
In past years the Navy bill has
/. been considered soon after Christ
mas recess. This year the French
committee will not begin hear
ings, which viii be secret, until
the middle of January. The bill
probably win be reported to the
House in February, he said.
Long Court Delay
with Administration officials
limiting that they expect the Lon
don conference to be concluded in
SO days, this would put the Navy
bin debate off until after the
pariey. The World Court proto-
col, according to some reports,
may not be submitted to the Sen
ate for months.
Delay In the naval appropria-
tion bill will give the admins
tration an opportunity to sug-
gest that the annual naval bud
get of over $500. 900, 900 be pared
in light of the conference. Rep
reSentative French, however, does
not expect this to be done.
i rather think our program of
construction will have to be car
red out In the bill without refer
ence to deliberations abroad" he.
said. We may want to put q
provision in it giving the Presi-
dent authority to suspend certain
construction in the event of an
international agreement. This is
hot new thing in legislation"
S70, 200, 900 for New Ships
Between $40, ,OO0, 900 and $80,-
DOO, 900 will be asked Of Congress
for new Warship construc ton, It
is indicated.
The budget requests call for
$T 400, 900 to modernize the battle
ships Pennsylvania and ARIZONA,
several million dollars TO complete
submarines underway, and mil
lions more to complete three cruis-
ers now building, and provide for
starting work or proceeding with
building on ten cruisers of the 15-
cruiser program. Funds also are
expected to be asked for the air
craft carrier authorized in the
cruiser program at q cost not ex-
ceeding $4,000, 900.
The budget figures indicate q
total of $57, 900, 900 for new con-
struction, together with q reappro-
priation of probably $25, 600, 900
more for work that has been de-
layed.
Under o revised plan Of present
Ing annual appropriation bills to
the House. it will take up the War
Department bill early in January,
the State, Justice, Commerce and
Labor supply bill next, then the
Treasury -Postoffice bill and.
finally. the Navy supply measure.
".-L