The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-01-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.
JOE SAVERS FIGHTING, .APPRO-
PRIATIONS /. UNNECESSARY
IN THESE STRINGENT
TIMES.
He Also More Than Holds His Own
Against the Wits of the House.
Another Issue of Bonds
Seems Inevitable-Oth-
err Washington Items.

Washington Jan. 27.-(Special COR
respondence.)-It is more than probable
that the naval appropriation has before
it a rough road bristling with determined
opposition and criticism on the part of
goodly number of the members of con-
gress. One of the most prominent feat
ures of the bill which will act as red
rag to its opponents, is that portion of it
which makes provision for three new bat
tleships as recommended by Secretary of
the Navy Herbert. That recommends
ton is approved by the report of the ma
val committee handed in yesterday by
Mr.. Talbot. The report is quite lengthy,
and after going into the advantages
presented by the various types of war
ships gives it as its opinion that the ex-
igencies of the case demand battleships
in preference to cruisers. The report then
goes on to say that the necessities of geo.
graphical position have been carefully
taken into consideration and the COM
mittee has been forced to the conclusion
that the continuation of the building of
battlcships is of vital Importance. These
vessels, as represented by those hereto
fore provided for, are believed to be of
class equally well adapted for offensive
and defensive operations, and are es-
pecially suited for the defense of the
coasts. The question of the superlatiye
value of the battleship as compared with
any other type of vessel, for warlike oper-
atoms has been well exemplified in the
present war between China and Japan.
One of the strongest opponents of the
proposition to build these battleships is
Chairman Sayers of the appropriation
committee. He makes no point of the
relative merits of battleships over cruis-
ers etc, but thinks the condition Of the
treasury at the present time is not such
as would warrant large expenditures of
money. In answer to the question as to
the truth of a rumor to the effect that
he and Mr.. DOckery would endeavor to
defeat the battleship feature of the APP
bill Mr.. Sayers says:
81 have had no conference with Mr..
Dockery upon that matter. / have no
hesitancy in saying, however, that / am
opposed to all appropriations except such
as are absolutely necessary until the rev.
enues of the government are in excess of
the disbursements. l am opposed in
other words, to any expenditures which
will necessitate a sale of bonds in order
to meet appropriations"
Mr. Sayers further said that Secretary
Carlisle had given this committee no as
surance that the revenue by the end of
he present fiscal year would be ample
ind sufficient.
THE POOLING BILL.
The railroad pooling bill will soon have
he right of way in the senate, in fact it
will probably be called up for consider
Ltion next week. For some time past
he railroad magnates who are here
the progress of the measure
ave professed to be well pleased with
he outlook, but just now their ardor
Gems to be cooling and they are not
ute so confident of success. The change
f sentiment in the senate is probably
ue to the vigorous missionary work that
as been done by the bills opponents in =,