Regards $85,000,000 Program of Navy Conflicts With Peace Economy.
President Coolidge does not approve the five-year building program for the Naval Air Service, calling for an appropriation of $85,000,000, which has been reported out by the House naval affairs Committee.
The President considers this sum far too large to coincide with his ideas of a peace time expenditure for aircraft. He also thinks the amount exceeds what the Aircraft Board appointed by him to make recommendations for proper development had in mind.
Moreover, the President is extremely anxious to see appropriations for all purposes kept down as low as practicable so as to ward off a possible deficit as a result of large tax reductions.
These views of the President regarding the naval service building program have been conveyed to Representative Butler, chairman of the House naval affairs committee. The latter, while admitting that the President has made known his disapproval, would make no comment. He did intimate, however, that he is planning to have the measure called up in the House late this month under an agreement to limit debate and with amendments in order from the floor.
Evening Star, Washington, DC, March 2, 1926