Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-14
PRICE ARMOR PLATELIMITED
Amendment to the Deficiency Bill Adopted
by the Senate.
The Secretary Of the Navy Authorized
fishing a Government ArmOr Facto

Late in the day yesterday an amendment
to the deficiency appropriation bill was
agreed to In &he Senate restricting the
price Of armor plate to $500 per ton, or
1925 less than the amendment reported by
the committee and recommended by the
Navy Department, the minimum rate
acceptable to the armor contractors. An
other amendment inserted in the bill
directs the Secretary of the Navy to in
vestigate as to the establishment of gov
eminent armor factory, and to report to
the next session of Congress.
During the debate Mr.. Hale referred to
the national humiliation in case of an
emergency. We had three incomplete battle
ships ready for their armor and useless
without it, With foreign complications
pressing upon us, with a spirit sometimes
called jingoism abroad in the land, it was
not time when we should refuse to fur
nish armor for our battle ships. Rather
to present to the world that spectacle of
having our warships hung up in the air, i'll
complete and without armor. All our ships
should be ready from top to bottom, SO
that If an emergency came they would be
defense rather than a laughing stock
There was something more in this ques-
ton, Mr.. Hale said than the mere cost of
armor. We had national honor. ma
be no hating. no turning back when once
we had embarked on an active policy of
upholding the national honor.
Mr.. Stewart (NevD declared that the re-
cent threat of Great Britain in the naval
review of the Victorian jubilee meant that
nations must continue building ships or
else be subjugated. With such hostile pur-
poses and such a navy as England nos
sessed it was idle to talk of suspending
the building of warshps. The senator de-
clared also that there should be no dicta-
ton on the price of armor by Carnegie, "a
candidate for the British parliament
Mr.. Chandler said that while he favored
a government armor plant, yet he felt that
1t was not expedient to urge that plan now
and he favored a compromise on $3.50 per
ton.
Mr.. Allen asked Mr. Chandler If he be-
lieved 1t was right to surrender 10 com
mon highwaymen.'
There, we have more of those horrible
nouns and adjectives that the senators
from North Carolina CButler) and South
Carolina CTillman and Nebraska (AIlen)
indulge in answered Mr. Chandler amid
laughter. Il don't like them. They crate
upon my ears" In mock serious manner
Mr.. Chandler referred to the popuiist SEN
ators, saying he found himself assooiating
with them so much that he feared ne was
"a crank himself.
Speaking seriously, the senator said the
government should complete these three
battle ships, and hereafter take care to
know the cost of armor plate before battle
Mr.. Bacon (Ga) moved tc place the rate
$3.50 per ton. He believed the government
would have to build its own foundry but
for the present he urged it to be exDe,lient
to offer $3.50. and stand by 1t. allowin., the
armament of the ships to fail If need be,
until Congress reassembles.
Mr.. Perkins (Cal) urged that the three
new battle ships would be tied to the docks
to rust and corrOde unless equipped with
armor and put into service.
Mr.. Teller (Col) contributed a lively
speech. 1t had been the general impress
sion that our ships represented the power
and dignity of the nation, but he said our
warships had proved source of con-
fusion to the last administration. The
Cuban war. the worst conflict in a hundred
years, with murder and outrage, had ragged
at our DOORS and throughout the conflict
we had no ship to send there as the repre-
sentative of our national dignity ard honor.
The authorities had been afraid to send
ship fearing it might endanger our peace
with Spain.
why, war with Spain would be trifing
affair so far as concerned, said
Mr.. Teller. He ridiculad the idea of having
ships. If they were not to be sent where
needed. We have had a good deal of
trouble our ships. anyway, Mr.. Teller
said. and probably they would be well
on the stocks as in service. 1t would be a
greater surrender of national dignity to
bow to the armor contractors than to let
the ships stand on the stocks, and the SEN
ator declared he would let them stand I'M
up by the armor combine.
Mr.. Allen (Neb) criticised the general
Lolicy of expanding the navy, comparing
the cumbersome battle ships with the ef-
huge ships was a scheme, he asserted to
spend the public money and to place adj
vantageous contracts. With it was the
scheme for charging the army and build
ing more forts. Commenting on tho use of
the army at the Chicago strike, Mr.. Allen
asserted: When Grover Cleveland sent
the army into Chicago he committed the
crime of treason against the United
States"
Mr.. Jones (Ark) made a point Of order
against the committee amendment on the
ground that 1t was general legislation. The
point of order was Withdrawn in order to
secure a direct vote. The first vote was
on an amendment limiting the cost of ar
NOR to $500 per ton. 1t was carried, on a
viva voce vote. Mr.. Hale and one or two
others being the only ones TO vote in the
negative.
Mr.. Butler then offered an amendment
authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to
make investigation and receive PROPOSE
lions for the establishment of a govern
ment armor factory. and report to Con-
gress at it's next session. 1t was agreed to-
Other amendments to the bill were made
as follows: For improvement of Cumber-
land sound, Florida, $4,000; to pay balance
of 81, 4S5 to claimants under the Spanish
American claims commission.
The deficiency appropriation bill was then
passed.
Mr.. Hale moved that the Senate adjourn
over Wednesday: lost, on a viva voce vote.
Mr.. White secured the passage of a joint
resolution directing the Secretary of War
to proceed with the construction of a
breakwater at San Pedro, Cal.
At $3.50 pm. the Senate held an executive
session, and then adjourned.
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FOUR BROTHERS SENTENCED.