BUILDING OF CRUISERS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 21, 25 January 1929, Page 9

BUILDING OF CRUISERS

TO BUSTLE THE SENATE

BRITTEN'S PROPOSAL

United Press Association—By Electric Tele-

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WASHINGTON, 24th January.

Mr. Britten announced to-night that he would introduce a Bill in the House of Representatives next week to provide for cruiser construction work under the annual Navy Appropriation Bill unless the Senate takes action on the pending Cruiser Bill in the meantime.

The announcement was made after Mr. Britten had conferred with President Coolidge, Mr. Curtis, and others on tho question of the prompt passage of the Cruiser Bill, which Mr. Britten said the country wishes. Such action, however, would require a special ruling, as the House cannot appropriate on the Appropriation Bill for an item not authorised in the original measure.

Mr. firitcn said: "My idea is to introduce a Bill calling for a rule to make 12,500,000 dollars in the Navy Appropriation Bill, which will be reported from Committee next week. Such a rider to the Bill could be passed in tho House in less than forty-five minutes, as did the Cruiscf Bill, which was held in the Senate for nearly a year." Mr. Britten explained that such a Bill, if adopted by the House, would automatically have tho effect of stopping the Senate from further considering tho Cruiser Bill; also if passed by both. Houses it would ensure the construction of the vessels regardless of the success of the Cruiser Building Bill. Mr. Britton said his action was necessary to expedite the cruiser legislation and "submerge the small group of hungry-looking professional pacifists and international anarchists hanging around the Capitol to impress members of Congress." He states that President Coolidge did not commit himself to the proposal, but would not oppose it.