Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1915 — $144,648,902 TO BUILD WARSHIPS [ARTICLE]

$144,648,902 TO BUILD WARSHIPS

Naval Appropriation Bill Passed in House After Underwood Appeals for Economy Cut. .Washington, Feb. s.—Over strenuous protests from Majority Leader Underwood the house in passing the naval apropriation bill tonight retained provision for the construction of two new dreadnaughts. Representative Underwood declared the nation was facing a probable treasury deficit next year of $35,000,000 and economy advocates led by him succeeded in striking out appropriations aggregating more than $6,000,000 for five submarines, a transport and a hospital ship. The bill as it goes to the senate carries $144,648,902 and authorizes the following construction program. Two battleships of the largest and most powerful design, $7,800,000 each, exclusive or armor and armament. Six torpedo boat destroyers, $925,000 each. One sea-going submarine torpedo boat, $1,400,000. Eleven submarines, $550,000 each. One oil fuel ship $1,140,000. An amendment was adopted authorizing the construction of three of the six destroyers on the Pacific coast. Five of the submarines are to be built there. The bill provides that any of the vessels authorized may be constructed in government ykrda, but Chairman Padgett, of the committee, objected that the New York plant, the only one to which a battleship might beglven, already was working to its capacity. Mr. Underwood pleaded earnest? ly for economy, declaring the house must decide between retrenchment or further taxes upon the people. He asserted that the nation was in no more danger of war than it was a year ago and that the danger would continue to grow smaller if the United States pursued its own way. On the other hand, he wamed that if America entered into an armament race it would mean Mr at the end of the story.”