The herald., 1896-04-28
THE F|FTY.FOURTA CONGRESS
Sensational Discussion of the
Naval Appropriations
SOME SEVERE CRITICISM
Ct the Methods Employed by the Armor
Plate Makers
The hsusc Dsvotss the Day to tho Plekler
General Pension Bill-Vots to Be
Taken Today
Associated Press Special Wire.


Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, April 27.-The naval
appropriation bill was before the senate
throughout the day. An amendment
offered by Mr.. Chandler making 1t un-
lawful for retired naval officers to enter
the service Of contractors furnishing
Armor, etc, to the government, occa-
stoned an animated debate, which grad
uauy broadened into discussion of the
entire subject Of armor plate. Mr.. Till
{pan was among the most active In sup
port Of the amendment, speaking of the
efforts to cheat and rob the government
and the tendency of millionaire con-
tractors to thrust their hands into the
pockets of Uncle Sam"
Mr.. Chandler, Republican of New
Hampshire, presented a supplemental
report concerning alleged election
frauds in Alabama. and the naval ap-
preparation bill was then taken up.
The main features of the bill are the
items for four seagoing coast line bat
tleships designed to carry the heaviest
armor and most powerful ordnance, to
cost $3,750,000 each; three torpedo boats
having speed Of thirty knots. to cost
100000. and ten torpedo boats to cost
Mr.. Quay offered an amendment in
creasing the appropriation for reserve
guns for auxiliary cruisers from s250.00O
10 100000.
Mr.. German doubted the expediency
Of providing for a lot of new guns and
following 1t up with many new ships. in
view of the present condition Of the
treasury -.
"Yes and considerable silver, also,"
said Mr.. German.
After further debate Mr.. Quay's
amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. Perkins, Republican of California,
moved an amendment appropriating
100000 for naval training school at
Yerba Buena, Cal. but after some dis
cussion withdrew it.
Mr.. Chandler offered an amendment
making it unlawful after June 30, 1897,
for naval officers to take service with
concerns furnishing armor or other
equipment for the government These
officers had facilities for knowing what
was going on at the navy department,
and 1t was improper that service to the
government and service to the con-
tractors should run together
Mr.. Hale said that naval contractors
were constantly endeavoring to get an
advantage over the government and to
make enormous profits. and a naval Off
Ger was thus placed in the embarlass-
ment of serving the contractor who was
against the government. and the gov
erpment who was against the con-
tractor. see
Mr.. Chandler said that when the naval
committee asked for the naval officers
oonversant with affairs of the Carnegie
works and the Bethlehem works, the
two officers had appeared who were sup
posed to represent the government. But.
behold, said Mr.. Chandler. it turns out
that the two officers were on the retired
list and were in the service of the Car
Eegie works and Bethlehem works.
Mr.. Bacon, Democrat, of Georgia, in
sisted that 1t was an evil so to crcum-
stance a naval officer that his services
could not be given to the. government:
while he is receiving pay from the
government" interjected Mr.. Tillman,
Democrat, Of South Carolina, who was
an interested listener to the debate.
II agree with you in that" said Mr..
Gray.
around all right" said Mr.. Tillman,
lightly. He said 1t was neither decent
nor in good taste for these officers to
serve those interested in robbing the
government. 1t was now proposed by
the naval bill that all material used on
battleships be of American manufac-
ture. While in full sympathy with
every encouragement of American inter-
ests, yet the senator said he did not be-
lieve in having this sentiment used to
further enrich lot of millionaires. The
armor manufacturers were charging
$500 per ton for armor used by tho
United States, and at the same time fur
- nishing armor to Russia at $500 per ton.
II am unwilling to see these millionaires
grow richer by thrusting their hands
into the pockets of Uncle SAM" declared
Mr.. Tillman.
Mr. Hale pointed out that the bureau
officer who took part in making con-
tracts for armor was able to look ahead
to the time he would be on the retired
list and might enter into the service of
the contractors.
In answer to question Mr.. Hale said
the experts before the naval committee
had shown that the cost of production
for armor was $3.50 per ton.
Mr. German called attention to the
grave suggestions Of irregularity made
some time ago, resulting in an investi-
cation by the naval committee, involv-
ing the cost of armor. The committee
report ought to be at hand to permit
intelligent consideration or these pro
posed appropriations for armor. He
went on to show the manner in which
the armor contracts had been placed In
the United States. Secretary Tracy
had sought the American manufactur-
ers and had induced them to put in
plants capable of turning out armor,
and as a result these American works
were developed capable of furnishing
armor equal to any made. AS means
of entering foreign markets armor had
been offered to Russia at less than it
cost until large foreign contracts were
secured. 1t gave q prospect that we
would be able to compete with England
in sending steel blooms abroad.
Mr.. Tillman interjected the remark
that when these armor concerns claimed
they were furnishing armor to Russia
at q loss he would nat believe them 1t
had been developed in the committee in
vestigation that the original design was
only sufficient for arnlor to pay for put
ting in the armor plants. This had been
done and in this way the government
had practically established the Bethle-
rem works, although the contractors
owned 1t and were interested In getting
the highest possible. rates for armor.
After further debate the bill was laid
aside and at 5:15 pm. the senate ad-
journed.
TIM nnutcn