The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-23
THE NAvAL APPROPRIATION BILL
An Increase OF S. as, o rer Arnor and
Armament-No New Vessels Provided FOR.

An Increase OF -. sac. DOG TOR Aruor and
Armament-No New Vessels Provided For.
wAsHNoToN. Feb. 22.-The report OF Chair
mar Boutelle Of the House Naval Affairs Com
mittee on the Naval Appropriation bill shows an
appropriation OF $50, 165, 234, which is 81, 6O2,-
b73 more than the amount for the current year
and -, 050. 702 below the estimates Of the Navy
Department. The principal increases made by the
bill are sl74.5l2 for pay Of the navy on account
OF the additional force provided last year; SAL.
$40 for the additional requirements for
equipments Of new vessels, Sl4.624 for add.
tional requirements OF maintenance OF docks
and yards, $4,000 in the bureau Of supplies, and
S2,573 in tho Marine Corps for repair of bar
racks. On the other hand, the amount for the
bureau Of navigation Is reduced by 81, 500, for
the bureau Of ordnance by $3.50, 500, for public
works by $73,535. for construction and repairs
$4,000, for steam engineering 90, $50, and for
the Naval Academy $32, 900.
The decrease In the aggregate amount carried
by the bill is due TO the appropriations under
tho head. Increase Of the Navy" These are as
follows: Construction and machinery, $5,9 $685.
$50, a reduction Of $945. 24l from the amount
for the current year; equipment, Sl62, 82S. or
S74,372 less, making q total reduction OF 81 ,Ol9,-
6l3. Under "Armor and Armament" there is
appropriated the sum of 81, 900. 796, which Is an
increase Of 81, $40. $40.
The report refers to the controversy regarding
armor plate, reviews the investigation OF the
subject made by Secretary Herbert, and says:
THE committee coincide with the Secretary in
feeling great pride in the achievement OF estab-
States, and believe that sound policy reouires
snss our nr,,o G%Sver shnsId' IKE hss th hos Of other
plants as to keep their works available as long
as the need OF such facilities for furnishing war
material may continue. 1t also feels much graf
iheatiop that American enterprise, Invention
and skill has enabled us to lead the world in the
quality OF the production OF armors.
,"In dealing with this question OF cost, how
ever, the committee has regarded 1t as one OF
such technical character that the information at
its command is not sufficiently definite to enable
1t TO fix with certainty n price per ton upon such
a product Of manufacture, and II has been indis.
t RiSsSat h 20 : 20 So it has As' sso nsry t ia fhs s sSnsidsrs,
gard the seerotary's report to Congress
cation. OF the amount OF expenditure that in its
purpose, and in that view a compilation has
been made on the basis Of the Secretary's con.
cluslon, and a paragraph has been inserted In
the bill appropriating the lump sum thus indi-
Gated as the limit OF the cost Tor which he may
make contracts for the purchase OF tho entire
plans and specifications for the three battle ships
authorized at the last session. 1t Is believed that
this provision has been so safeguarded as to en-
able the department to carry into effect the
policy declared In its report. The committee, for
various reasons that seem to IL to carry great
weight, deems 1t inexpedient at this time, and
hopes II will not prove necessary, TO provide for
the construction, purchase, or lease OF a Govern
mont plant for the manufacture of armor plate.
The COMMITTEES 10 unanimous In the desire to
push forward the construction OF our full quota
of battle ships and other needed vessels for
naval defence and the protection OF the national
rights and honor as rapidly as possible; but In
view OF the present condition OF the national
finances and other important considerations, has
reluctantly rerrained from recommending tho
lieying that such, recognition OF the public
eTigoncies at this time will Insure an even more
liberal renewal OF the work OF building I'M our
new navy as one OF the greatest features of a res
toration OF national prosperity in the near
future"