Evening star., 1938-03-14
V|NSON[AUNCHES
NAVY BILL DEBATE
Warns Against lnsistance on
Arms Conference at
Present Time.
BACKGROUND


Expansion of the United States
Napy by 20 per cent Dds proposed
to Congress recently by President
Roosevelt as necessary to bolster
our national defense program in
Die,o of rapid rearmament by other
world poWers. The bill brought be-
fore the House today Would author
ice construction to carry out this
expansion, but further appropria-
ttou measures Mould be necessary
to prouide funds for the actual ship
building.
BY the Associated Press.
Chairman Vinson of the House Naval
Committee, beginning debate on the
administration billion dollar naval
expansion bill. warned Congress today
against tying the Presidents hands by
insisting on a disarmament conference
at this time.
Mr.. Vinson expressed the belief noth-
ing would contribute more to world
peace than limitation of ornaments,
but he declared emphatically a dis
armament conference under present
world conditions lis doomed to failure.
Congress should not by legislation
tie the hands of the President by saying
that he must call a conference here
and now" he added.
Opponents Want Farley.
Opponents of the naval program
had said they wanted to write into the
measure some provision for an arms
parley.
Mr.. Vinson said he was confident
President Roosevelt will again EN-
deavor to secure limitation of arma-
ments" whenever the time is "oppor-
tune"
Discussing the need for the IS new
warships. % auxiliaries and $50 air.
planes which the bill would authorize
Mr.. Vinson said it would furnish The
minimum national defense necessary
to attain our national security ana
preserve our republic"
He criticized opposition claims tnat
this country has secret understand
ing with the British government.
There is not scintilla OF evidence
to support such a charge" he shouted,
"and brand the same as deliberate
distortion of the truth and q perver-
sion Of the facts"
Mr.. Vinson said this country does
rot "coHet one foot of soil OF any
other nation"
This building program" he added,
"is solely for the purpose of affording
adequate defense for the continental
United States and its jnsular possess
Recalling the Presidents Chicago
speech, he said: I'VE propose to quar-
antine ourselves from catching the
grievous disease of war"
Hitler's Austrian coup will facilitate
passage Of the naval program, legis-
lators agreed today.
Foes Are Pessimistic,
Foes of the huge armament bill
were openly pessimistic Of the chances
for blocking its enactment, and sought
primarily to modify its provisions.
Representative Maverick, Democrat,
OF Texas, one Of the opponents, de-
clared the program would involve the
United States in European turmoil.
Present conditions demand more
than ever that we be moderate in
stead Of Wild" he said. ITO 60 OF on
. war-preparing spree and go Navy
crazy Is to get into war"
Some conservative members and
many in the self-styled liberal bloc
united against the legislation, but Rep
resentatiye Brewster. Republican, Of
Maine. said their motives were some
what different. He said the conserva- ;
tves were concerned over what Pren-
dent Roosevelt might do with the ex-
panded feet. while the liberals op.
posed the increase because they want
this Government to mind its own
business"