New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-02
FIGHTING OVER BIG GUNS.
A SPICY DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE.
sxEp AND BUrTERwoRTH LOCK HoRNs-sHARP
CLASH BETWEEN DEMOCRATS


IBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.
Washington Aug 1.-The fight which began in
the House Yesterday over the Hawley amendment
10 the Army bill was waged with still greater
energy to-day, and when the hour Of adjournment
came victory had not perched on the banner of
either side A decisive vote will be taken early
in to-morrow's session. The Senate amendments
which have brought on the fight are the ones which
appropriate $500, 900 for gun foundry at Wa
tervliet Arsenal and S. OOO, 600 for the purchase
of steel for the manufacture OF modern high-power
rifed guns for the armament of sea-coast defences
The House Military Committee is unanimously in
favor OF the amendments. but the Appropriations
Committee. which defeated all appropriations for
coast defences in the last Congress- rcsents what
it regards as an attempt TO invade its rights The
latter committee has brought in Fortifcations
bill, which appropriates $3.50, 900 for the gun
foundry, $500, 600 for the purchase of steel and
creates an Advisory Board Of Army officers and
civilians who are TO make experiments and test
experimental guns submitted by corporations and
individuals. with vicw rs the Appropriations
Committee puts it, 30 having Government effort
supplemented by private enterprise and competi-
ton.
Mr.. Reed, who was a member Of the committee
appointed several years investigate the sub
ject Of the manufacture of heavy ordnance has be-
come convinced that the time has arrived when
the Government should make guns as good as those
In use by foreign powers, and not attempt at first
TO outdo the latter by creating boards to discover
something better than has yet been invented
The members Of the Appropriation Committee seem
10 feel not very sure of victory on the simple
merits Of the proposition which they present as
alternative TO the Senate proposition, for they
devote much OF their time TO efforts to induce the
House TO resent what they were pleased to call
invasion of its rules by the Senate. Their
speeches on that point gained them recruits
among whom was Mr. Blount of Georgia who
took an active part in the debate.
The lveliest scene of the day was a very
spirited coloquy between Mr. Reed, who took the
part OF the Military Committee and Major But
terworth, representing the Appropriations Com
mittee. The OHIO man grew very warm, indeed
almost lost his temper and became somewhat per-
sonal in his remarks. He declared that he was as
anxious as anybody to have the Government build
modern guns and be prepared for any contingency
which might arise in its dealings with foreign
nations. He patriotic as anybody but
he believed the Government should not tie itself
up to the plans and theories of the Ordnance
Bureau, but should avail itself of all The inventive
genius and business sagacity Of the whole Amer-
can people.
Mr Reed replied that all that was very we'll
He knew that his friend patriotic and desired
that the United States should occupy respectable
position among the nations of the earth. but the
plan proposed was not a good one. If adopted, it
would result simply in the building up OF a few
modern guns of comparatively small calibre, and
the pOStponement of the building OF heavy guns
for 1T LEASE five years. lie wanted the House TO
rise 10 tie height of the occasion. 1t not a
question of parliamentary rule, u was not a mere
question of establishing a plant for the manu-
1acture of wood screws, but OF entering upon a
work which at the shortest would occupy at least
five years He thought that the attitude of the
Appropriations Committee was supported by two
kinds of men; the first wanted 10 compel the
Senate do business according to the rules of tne
House. and. If possible, wanted 10 prevent The
building OF modern high-power guns The second
believed IN trying TO Guido the achievements OF the
foremost military powers OF Europe. lie con-
tended that what the United States needs is not
so much better guns than Germany, or Great
Britain, Chill, but as good guns as either pos
scSScs.
in. on motion of the chairman of the Military Com
mittee, Mr.. Sayres of the Appropriations Com
mittee, offered "a resolution TO request conference
on the dlsaCrecIng vote of the House and Senate
and 10 instruct the IIOuS. COnfcTccs not 10 agree
70 the Senate amendment This was Mr.. Sayres's
opinion of free and full Conference
a point of order interposed against the re-
oeptiOn of the resolution. pending decision upon
which the House adjourned.
Unless the resolution Is ruled out on point OF
order the vote on il will be decisive. and either
the Senate plan making a sufficient APPROPRIATION
for the building OF the best modern guns now
known or the House plan to releIate nearly the
entire matter to a Board, will be adopted.