Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-26
The Allegations Against the Post
master Of the House.
THE SPEAKER AND MR.. BLOUNT
Senate Discussing the $1,000, 900
Appropriation for Nickel Plates.
THE ROCK CREEK PARK BILL PASSED
SENATE.

Mr.. Sherman introduced bill, which was
referred to the committee on appropriations,
appropriating Sl33, 900 for the purchase for the
use OF the Senate OF the Maltby House. at the
corner OF New Jersey avenue and b street
northwest, with the vacant lots on the north
side of it. He said that the reason why the
matter Of its purchase had been SO long de-
layed was that there had been litigation as to
the title to the property, but that litigation had
now been settled.
THE ROCK CREEK PARK BILL PASSED.
The conference report presented yesterday
on the bill to establish the Rock Creek Park in
the District of Columbia was agreed to and tho
proyaL
BILLS PASSED.
Bills on the calendar unobjected to were
then taken up for one hour) and the following,
among others, were passed:
Senate bill granting right of way to the
jamestown and Northern Railway Company
through the Devils Lake Indian reservation,
North Dakota
Senate bill to authorize the construction of a
bridge across the Missouri river a: the most ac-
cessiblc part within one mile above or below
the town OF Quindaro, Ill the county OF Wyan-
dotte, Kansas
The House joint resolution appropriating
s1,0OO,O00 for tho purchase of nickel ore and
nickel matte for naval purposes having been
received from the House was laid before the
Senate (at the request of Mr. Hale). and Mr..
cameron offered en- amendment 20 it providing
that such nickel ore or nickel matte so pur-
chased shal! be equitably distributed among
the contractors Of nickel steel arnlor plating
THE EXPERIMENTS AT ANNAPOLIS.
In reply to questions put by Mr.. Dolph, Mr..
Hale said that there never had been SO com-
plete and demonstrating test of the value of
All amalgamatlon of nickel with steel for steel
plates for vessels and ordnance as the recent
one at Annapolis. The result of that expert
ment was so remarkable that the Secretary OF
the Navy deemed il essential that he should
(while the opportunity offered) secure
the control OF nickel enough to make
an alloy for the plates now being forged The
committee on naval affairs had had full hear
Ing OH the matter, at which tho results Of the
test we're submitted and he had been unani-
mousiy authorized to report the joint resoiu-
ton. The House of Representatives, had
passed it and it was very desirable that the
Senate should pass it today.
Mr.. Dolph-So that the proposed action is
based mainly on tho one experiment at Annap-
oils?
Mr.. Hale--It is based largely on that. al.
though the matter has been for some time in
the minds of naval officers.
MIR. Doiph-Have not the contracts for the
steel plate for armor been made?
MIR. Hale-Thev have been.
Mr.. Dolph-Then a change will have to be
made in those contracts?
Mr.. ifale-TEat matter has been gone over
by the Secretary of the Navy with the con-
tractors, and they are entirely willing to have
an amalgamation of nickel in the plates which
have not yet proceeded too far to allow that to
be done.
Mr.. Dolph inquired as to the additional cost
Mr. Hale-Nickel Is, of course, more expen-
sive than forged steel, but the government pays
for 1t and is to get the benefit Of It by arrange
ment with the contractors. 1t will be a matter
OF agreement between the Secretary and the
contractors. The great supply Of nickel il
found In two piaces-in the Ludbury district oi
Canada and III New Caledonia
The Canadian mine is owned by our own
citizens, and these gentlemen are entirely
willing to furnish the government with it il
contracted for now (and that is one reason for
prompt action), because they can sell the
entire product to foreign powers that desire to
get it.
Mr.. Dolph inquired as to putting nickel on
the free list.
MIR. Hale-Nickcl is imported in matte Cor
pig). There was some product in PennsyI.
yania, but that mine has been long
that there is any 10 necessity nOs 'has 1o.
the amendment proposed by the Senator from
pennsylvania. In dealing with this subject the
Secretary of tho Navy has. mere than any one
else, the responsibility of carving out the
great work of building up the navy, and he
will make proper arrangements with the con.
tractors.