Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-13
WASHINGTON NEWS.
Feuuons Presented in the House-Sec-
Ietary Whitney's Views on the Condi.
uon OF the Nayy-Other Notes.
WASHINGTON. Feb. |

WASHINGToN, Feb. IL.
Mr.. Belmont. of New York, presented in
the House today petitions signed by over
I,24' art societies and artists throughout the
United States asking for an enactment of
law to admit works of art free of cost.
Secretary Whitney today, at the request OF
the House committee on naval affairs, ex-
pressed his views relative to the condition of
the navy. He began with a Recommendation N
that the uncompleted monitors should be
completed. In his opinion the type of ves-
sci most needed by the navy was steel cruis-
ers. Those Cow building were good fighting
ships and IN time of war would prove the eff
fecuveness OF their tremendous armor and
machine guns. he thought the government
should go on replacing the wooden vessels
with these cruisers. He also favored the
construction OF torpedo boats. In reference
to the advissbllity OF building ships in the
navy yards or by private contracts, the Sec
retary sald the navy yard question had many
sides AS tar as the economy question was
considered he did not think the navy wards
were defensible, but that was not all there
was of II. In time of war it was absolutely
necessary to have plants and organization; in
times OF peace the navy yards were required
TO make necessary repairs on vessels. Look
ing at the matter from an economical stand
point the contract system OF construction
was more satisfactory. IT, however. the gov
ernment anticipated having iron clsds and
torpedo boats and cruisers, and real
navy he would recommend that one navy
yard be fitted up so that ships could be built
In 1t. The secretary said it would. in his
opinion, be advisable to provide tor building
half a dozen cruisers in addition to those IN
process OF construction. Referring to the
Sn a.f off ha -
struction in public and private yards he said
the work could be done cheaper by private
builder than at the navy yard. A private
builder gos great deal more work out OF his
poople than could have been gotten out of
men employed in navy yard. The eight
hour law made difference of twenty per
cent. But if q war should break out tomor-
row the government should start every navy
yard II had. If they were not fully supplied
with plants and all needed facilities the gov
ernment would not be able to furnish NUM-
tions of war. If American shipbuiders
could be gotten into condition where it was
to their interest to have the best constructors
there were in the world better ships could be
built in them than our naval officers could
build in our yards, for they could pay better
salaries than the government pays. There
was not the same stimulus in the government
service. 1t would take years to build up the
navy yards equal to those Of Great Britain.
In day or two he would furnish the com
mittee with written statement embodying
the ideas and plans of the navy department
concerning vessels proposed to be construct
ed. We should build half dozen cruisers a
little longer than those now building. There
was not one yard now in condition. Modern
tools and machinery were required. The
Int .l,t - a
policy to offer private contractors a bonus for
speed greater than that called for in the
specifications, and also to impose a penalty if
the specified horse power was not realized.
The House committee on labor today
agreed to report favorably on Representa-
tive O'Neill's bill providing that no property
shall be exempt from seizure and sale upon
which execution is made for personal ser
vices rendered by an merchaDic, laborer or
servant to the amount not exceeding 800.
1t i. provided that the bill shall apply to the
District of Columbia and the Territories and
that all actions under the bill shall be com
menced within six months after the service
was rendered.
All of the special council engaged to assist
Solicitor General Goode in prosecuting the
suit against the Bell Telephone Co., with the
are in the city and will hold conference at
the department of justice tomorrow. The
course of preparation will not be filed till
fully considered and approved by all the
council. 1t is expected, however that it
will be ready for filing by the middle of the
week The place where the suit will be in
stituted will not be determined till the bill is
prepared and the other preliminaries are ar
ranged
The United States has prepared state
ment showing that on Jan. Both, last there
was in the treasury S25l, ,37l ,562 in gold coin
and bullion and S24 060, ,709 in gold certifi-
Gates, Sl69, ,@S3. 1886 in standard silver dollars
and s 33 ,97S, ,767 in silver certificates; that
the amount of gold certificates in circulation
was Sll5, ,2S4.95 net gold coin and bullion
in the treasury, Sl36, ,0S6,6ll; amount of sill
yer certificates in circulation, S89, ,76l 500 !;
net standard silver dollars in the treasury,
after deducting the silver certificates in cir
culation, S79 1921 .776; standard silver dollars
in circulation, So All 1902; amount of silver
dollars IN circulation July 3lst, last, S39,
2S4, ,435; Dec. lst, So, 2,54l ,57l; Feb. 10th.
1886, SOL, ,75l 1926.