AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1927, Page 2

AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) U.S. NAVAL PLANS. NEW YORK, Dec. 18. The “New York Times” Washington correspondent says in the opinion of prominent Republican leaders in the House of Representatives, who are now canvassing sentiment the Arministration’s naval programme, will not he adopted by the House. It is said a canvass indicates opposition to the indefiniteness of the plan, and a suggestion that the president he etnlowered to suspend building in the event of a Naval Limitations Conference. It is affirmed the sentiment of the House favours the construction of twenty cruisers, four each year in a five year programme. The aeroplane carrier recommendations of the Navy Department nrcagreeable to prevailing opinion, hut opposition has developed to nine destroyers leaders. The Hovso leaders are more interested in rounding out the fleet with auxiliary cruisers and arc not concerned with the naval strength of other countries. They do not lielieve the House will cause foreign critics to say the programme was made public with the idea of forcing another naval limitations conference.

It is understood Air Butler will move to have the Naval Bill amended, requiring the number of ships authorised and dropping of the provision empowering the President to suspend the construction in the event of a Conference.

GOLF CIIAAfPTON. NEW YORK. Dec. 18. A message from Atlanta says Bobby Jones announced he will not defend the British" open title, as his law studies will prevent his making a trip to England in May. U.S. NAVAL INCREASE. NEW YORK, Dec. 18. “The American’s” Washington correspondent says that Air Butler announced that the Director of the Budget will give advice to President Coolidge on the nation’s finance, and will ho asked to appear before the House Naval Affairs Committee to fell how the Administration plans to finance the construction ot the proposed naval programme. The Committee is interested to know liow many, and wliat types of warships should actually be built during the next few years, and not merely authorised. The consensus of opinion on the committee appears to he that the ships asked for would actually cost approximately one billion dollars and the peisonnel of the navy would have to he greatly increased. H would he necessary to have fifteen hundred officers alone to man the ships.

Air Butler said Hint Admirals .Jones and Long will be asked to appear next week. He added: “The country has a right to know, and should know why Britain would not agree to an armament truce, with the United States and Japan. Admirals Long and Jones should explain the whole situation so that the country may know why Congress is called upon to build new warships. AVe want to know everything that happened at Geneva, especially it there is any secret agreement.’’

GiIIIISTAI AS DIVI BENDS. NEW YORK, Dec. 19. A .small group ol industrial corporations are declaring before Christmas an extra dividend estimated at lour hundred million dollars, which will he distributed among approximately five million holders of common and preferred stock. The General .Motors Corporation, with 670,000 stock holders, is distributing 43,600,000 dollars, and the Dupont Corporation with 14,000. will pay out 11.312.000 dollars. HOUSE OF DAVID CULT NEW YORK. Dee. 19. A message from St. Joseph (Michigan) says: “King Ben” Purnell, leader of the House of David Cult , died on IGtli. Dec. from tuberculosis. No announcement of the death was made previously, due to the Ivelief of loyal members of the cult that Purnell would rise from death to-day.

EXDVR A XCE FUG HT. NEW YORK, Dee. 19. Progress messages radioed from Smith’s plane during the attempt at an endurance flight read as follows when 16 hours in the air—‘‘Machine working perfectly. Have the highest hopes of continuing the flight to a successful finish.” After eighteen hours—“ All is well.” After nineteen hours—“ All is well.” over San Jose flying three thousand feet high. Everything O.Tv.” Smith was then at the controls while Pond was taking a nap. Twenty-two hours—“ All is well.” The plane was then above the city and early morning workers were able to see the flashing lights ns it cruised above the business district.

At 23 hours (message unsigned) “Just had a little sleep. Feel much better. All is fine up here, hut I am rather doubtful about our gas holding out. However we can only stay up as long as it lasts. Please tell everyone good morning.” The plane passed the halfway mark at 10.23 a.m. when it. had been in the air 26 hours, and still appeared to l>e functioning excellently. The latest message revealed the plane was cruising up Sacramento Valley.