Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-06
HOUSE CLEARS WAY
FOR CRUISER BILL
Measure, Changed in Senate,
to Be Taken Up Tomorrow
Without Conference.

Without taking the cruiser bill to con-
ference on the Senate amendments, the
House will consider the measure tomor-
row as the first business of the day.
Chairman Britten of the House naval
committee announced today that an
agreement had been reached with
Speaker Longworth to recognize the
committee Immediately after the read
ing of the minutes
Then, Britten said. unanimous con-
sent to bring up the bill for the con-
sideration of the Senate amendments
will be asked, and efforts will be made
to secure their immediate adoption to
obviate the necessity of a conference.
which might lead to further delay on
the measure.
Senate Passes Bill by 68-12 Vote.
The bill. authorizing Is new cruisers
and an airplane carrier for America s
Navy was almost ready for consider
alton by President Coolidge today, the
Senate passing the measure yesterday
by vote of SO to IL
The Senate disregarded completely the
request OF President Coolidge that the
Chief Executive be given a free hand
In constructing the ships. Against his
wish, language was retained in the bill
stipuiating that the Is warships be
started before July /, 1881, and speci-
Tying the program whereby they would
be laid down in three successive wears,
beginning Immediately.
The only material change made in the
! bill by the Senate was the addition of
an amendment by Senator's Borah, Re-
publican, Idaho. and Reed, Democrat,
Missouri, declaring Congress in favor of
the negotiation of treaties fixing the
rights of belligerents and neutrals at sea
in time of war.
Coolidge Had Urged Program.
There is no doubt of the displeasure
OF the President at the refusal of Con-
gresS to heed his wishes, but this is
not regarded as sign that he will veto
the bill. He had asked for the larger
Navy and urged the legislation.
Should the President sign the bill.
Congress Is expected to begin steps to
appropriate the funds necessary for
starting work on S of the Is cruisers
before next June 80. The second fiscal
years program, which contemplate a
start on 10 of the cruisers, will be taken
care OF by the Navy Department appro-
priation measure which Is Just going
through the legislative mill.
The entire program calls for an out
lay of $274 100000, including $17OOO,- =
600 for each of the cruisers and $I9,-
600, 900 for the airplane carrier.
Debate on the measure. which ran
over several weeks. centered principally
on the British Navy, which now has
6S cruisers, compared to the 80 America
VIII have when the Is new ones of
10000 tons each are in action. Japan
also will have 33 cruisers, but the Amer
ican tonnage under the new program
will be greater by 10000 tons. Cruisers
were not limited under the terms of the
Washington Arms Conference agree
ment In 1922.
Norris Opposition Swept Aside.
Senator Norris of Nebraska, a leader
OF the Republican independents who
fought the bill, directed several amend
mentS at the measure in the closing
hours, but these were swept aside, In
cluding one to restrict the cruiser au-
thoriZation to nine.
Another amendment by Norris would
have requested the President to seek
conference with Great Britain for the
limitation of the cruisers and would
have authorized a suspension of the
naval program whenever such a con-
ference was called
Friends of the bill pointed to the pro-
vision already In the measure requesting
the President to encourage" another
naval arms conference and authorizing
the suspension of the program in whole,
or In part, when an agreement was
reached.
Chairman Hale of the naval commit
tee, in charge of the bill. and Senator
rushed to the defense of the measure
at every attack. Senator Reed of Mis-
TC,ortin1,ad an po0o o roI,Iror o