The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-10
NA y APPROPRIATIONS BILL.
Amendment Proposed by the Senate Com
mIttee on Naval AGairs.

WASHINGTON. April 0.-The Naval Appropri-
alton bill was reported to the Senate to-day.
The four seaRoing battle ships authorized in the
House bill are left untouched. Amendments
have been made. however, In the provisions for
torpedo boats. Instead OF Ave capable Of at
tanning a speed of twenty-siI knots. rs provided
by the House. the Senate has substituted three
torpedo boats which will in reality be torpedo
boat catchers with a maximum speed of not
lees than thirty knots an hour. In place of ten
or more torpedo boats, to cost not exceeding
$500, 900 and to have the highest practicable
speed for vessels of their class. the Senate has
substituted q provision for not to exceed ten
torpedo boats, to cost in all not exceeding $780,
600, and to have the highest practicable speed
for vessels OF their class A proviso is also in
serted as follows: And not more than two OF
said battle ships and not more than three OF
said torpedo boats shall be built in one yard or
by one contracting party. and in each case the
contract shall be awarded by the Secretary Of
the Navy to the lowest responsible bidder
The House proviso requiring one of the battle
ships to be built on the Pacific coast Is restricted
by a provision that, In order To do So. 1t must be
constructed Mt an additional cost not exceeding
Ave per cent. OF the lowest bid for the three
which the contracts for these vessels shall be
made is extended from ninety to l2O days from
The Secretary OF the Navy is also authorized
to contract for the building of two submarine
tDTDtup Ohl vi wv MA ~ W ~ ~ " III
exceeding Sl75. 900 each. these boats to be con-
structed and delivered within four months from
date Of contract: provided, that the Holland
boat now being. built ;or the department shall
be accepted as fulfilling nil the requirements Of
TIE contract; put out n" acton ION 1n hp ls tHHGn until
been fully tested to the satisfaction OF the Sec
rotary OF the Navy and accepted.
the Secretary of tine Navy to cause one of the six
iight-draught COMPOSITE gunboats, authorized by
the Naval bill for the currout fiscal year, TO be
built and furnished for n training ship for the
use of the Annapolis Academy.
Among the more important additions to tho
For testing methods OF throwing high az
plosives from guns on board ships with the or
To the appropristion Of $4,000 900 for reserve
guns for auxiliary cruisers, is added a proyiso
erection, purchase by contract all or any part OF
For purchase Of land adjoining the Port Royal
Tie appropriation Of $1,000 for the prelimi,
nary work toward the construction Of a model
tank" for the use of the Bureau of Construction
and Repairs is stricken out.
a number OF the provisions In the House bill
relative to the Marine Corps have been .limi-
mated from the bill as reported To- the Senate,
among the more important being the following:
drummera. twelve tfers, aud 426 prlvates, To be
enlisted in accordance with existing law, aud
clothing, $4,000; also the provision that here
after officers OF the Marine Corps, travelling
under orders without troops, shall be allowed
the navy travelling without troops
Suicide ola Washington ReHlEstat Owner.
WAsHINGTON. April O.-Mr. Henry Sanford
Fitch, a well-to-do real estate owner Of Wash
ington, committed suicide at noon to-day by
blowing out his brains with a revolver at tho
residence OF his son on Massachusetts, avenue.
No cause can he given, except on the theory that
the recent suicide OF two OF his friends preyed
IN his mind. Mr.. Fitch was a warm friend of
Mr.. Robert Cuttings, who committed suicide a
abort time ago. Mr.. Cuttings lived In ono OF Mr..
Fitoh's houses, lO2 Massachusetts, avenue,
Northeast. He was also a friend OF eG-Congress-
man NJ. d.. Harter OF Ohio, who also took his life
recently. Mr.. Fitch was a wtdOWer with two
sons, one Of them In the Pension ONCE here and
OF Ohio. aud the remains will be taken to that
State for intcFmcnI