The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-02-22
FOR COAST DEFENSE.
4 senate Committee in Favor oi ENpend-
ing Good Many Millions.

lDE ~ hNuu hth1
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2l.--The senate COM
mittee on coast defenses heard Gen. Miles
to-day, who concluded his statement a. to
the necessity Of providing suitable deicnses
for the Pacific coast. After ho retired the
committee ordered Chairman Dolph 10 re-
port fayorably bill TO provide for fortifi-
cations and other sea coast defcnses. The
bill carries an appropriation of Sl23,OOO,OOO,
of which $2l ,jO0,0O0 is available in the year
ending June 80. 1891, S9JO.00o year Tor
eleven years thereafter. and S250,OO0 in the
years 1902 and 1903. and the appropriation
10 be expended in accordance with the rec
concentrations of the board of officers ap-
pointed by the president, which has been
Published NJ various times. The bill is ac-
companied by a report from the board OF
army engineers at New York recommending
the passage Of the act. Adverse reports
were ordered by the committee upon Sena-
tor Dolph's bill approprialing S9UOl,OOO Tor
defenses for Puget sound ports, the sub
stance having been added &c the bill favor
ably reported.
Favorable action was taken by tho com
mittee Oh Senator Stanford bill authoriz-
ing the appointment of board OF three
officers of the army and three of the navy
20 examine and report the most suitable
site for gun factory on the Pacific coast.
An appropriation OF 81 l.0u0,000 is made 10
be expended on the purchase of site and
the necessary plant.
Bidding for the Senl Priv ilcees.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2l.-Bids were opened
NJ tue treasury departIn -ut az noJu today
for the exclusive right 10 take fur 6eais up
on the islands of ST. Paul and st. George,
Alaska. for term of twenty years from
May LIST. 1890. They were opened publicly
in the presence Of Secretary Window, by a
committee appointed for that purpose.
Window announced that no oral agree
ments would be heard but gentlemen desir-
ing might file written briefs between now
and u O'Clock Monday. There were
twelve bids, nut two were thrown out be-
cause they did not contain certified check
for $4,000, rs required. The American
Fishing and Trading Co., of San Francisco,
by Charles ID. Ladd, president, offered TO
pay the United States S305,00O per annum,
Si.12 for each skin and - cents for each
gallon of seal oil. The Pacific Steam Whal-
ing Co., of California, by J. n. Knowles,
president, offered 10 pay mn annual rental of
$4,000, and 81 10 for ench seal. The Alaska
Commercial Co. offered 10 pay $4,000
rental, S6.7J for each skin, also
TO provide 100 comfortable dwellings for
the inhabitants Of the islands, and make am.
pie provision for their maintenance and sup
portland establish regularmRil service from
San Francisco TO Alaska without cost 20 the
government. Also ~ provide schools.
churches and hospitals for the inhabitants;
provide wharf facilities M Ounalnska aud
distribute supplies grutuitously TO various
points in Alaska. Also. in the event thnt
any other responsible pnrty shall offer IN
good faith a greater nmuunt Tor said priyi-
legO, To pay the United States
the full amount offered by such party. They
say their offer contemplates nm annual reye-
nue. TO the United States OF sSIj,OW. The
North American Commercial Co., OF Cali
fornia, by Isaac Liebes, president. proposed
10 pay mn annual rental OF SM.2 0 and Sl.fl
for each skin. with the express understand
ing that the catch shall not be limited ia
less ihnu 10000 per year after the irsi
year; or they will give the government u
per cent of the gross receipts irolu thu snlcs,
huu VIII hkItt W ply Ah'N - l'4 N.Hs
higher than that offered by any other c1Ll-
pany. The North American Commercial
Co., of San Francisco. Offered 20 pay rental
of 10000, and S9G9lj for encll skin and
20 cents gallon for seal oil. Another
from the same company proposes 10 pay n
rental of Sj7,l00. Sl0,25 fDt each skin and
80 cents a gallon TOR oil. provided the
United States guarantees protection IN the
fisheries. Bids were also made by the
North American Trading Co., ul West Nlf-
gnin. at an estimated annual revenue y
tho government Of $4,000, hy T. W.
Clark Of Washington, ID. C.. "a give n bouu;
of $4,000, "a rental of Sa0OOper annun
and tax of 81 for each skin. BY the At
lantic a Paciiic Co., of Scw York. mn an.
nual rental of sii,0W, and SSlDli per slin
by the North American Commorcial Co.. OF
Illinois. $500 per annum and 9Ill pei
skin.