The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-16

Action of the House Naval Committee
More Torpedo Boats.

more IOrpeOO bOats.
WASHINGTON, March 15.--The construc-
ton of five modern dry docks was agreed on
to-day by the House committee on naval
affairs They are to be located at Ports
mouth N. H.; Boston. Mass; League
island, near Philadelphia, Pa; Algiers, near
New Orleans. La, and Mare island, near
San Francisco Cal. These docks, all of
which are to be entirely new structures,
are to be of wood, except those at Algiers
and Portsmouth. The material of construc-
ton of these will not be determined until
tomorrow. The indications are that the
dock at Portsmouth will be built of stone,
from nearby quarries, and that at Algiers
of steel. The decision of the committee was
the outcome of protracted and at times,
animated discussion. The final vote choos-
ing the points named was to 3. The OPP
ponents of the project first contended
against construction on general principles
and then separately opposed the sites that
were selected. They argued that the docks
should be located either where the APP
proaches, or depth of water, were sufficient
to admit the ingress and egress of the
largest battle ships or where steps already
have been made under government direc-
ton to put the approaches in state of
preparation to receive the largest vessels
by the development of both depth and
width of channel, or that the work on the
channels should be undertaken contempt
raneously with the dry docks. 1t was
agreed, however, that the docks erected
should be made capable of accommodating
the largest class of war ships The principal
reason for the conclusion to build of wood
was economy, but it was stated that docks
so constructed might remain in good condi-
ton long enough for all practical pur-
poses and that by the time their usefulness
ceased developments in the structural field
or a change in the character of present
dock ideas might arise A motion to vote
on the docks separately was voted down by
6 to 5, and then they were voted on as a
whole and authorized
There is a strong disposition i'll the COM
JIittee to increase the navy, in addition to
by the construction of some of the smaller
vessels OF war 1t was stated tonight that
the committee may authorize the building
of about ten torpedo beats and torpedo boat
destroyers, costing in the neighborhood of
$780, 600 for all. A movement for this In
crease will be made tomorrow, and Repre-
sentative Bull. of Rhode Island, will submit
motion calling for the construction ora
number of both of these classes or boatsI
probably six. Others of the committee are
favorable to the increase and some impor-
tant action is looked for. The increases in
the personnel asked for by Secretary Long
also will be taken up tomorrow.
Representative Dingley, of Maine, chair
man of the ways and means committee or
the House, introduced a joint resolution to-
day providing for the temporary admission
free OF duty of naval supplies procured
abroad. 1t is as follows:
Resolved. That such guns, ammunition
and other naval supplies as may be pur-
chased abroad by this government Tor the
national defense prior TO Jan. /, 1892 shal
be admitted at any port OF entry III the
United States free of duty.
The bill was reported Immediately py the
ways ard means committee, TO which 1t
was referred. 1t was introduced at the re-
quest of the administration
The Senate committee on naval affairs
had under consideration to-day the resolu-
ton instructing it to make an investiga-
ton of the Maine disaster, and decided by
a vote of to 5 TO postpone action Ior the
present. This action was preceded by a
sharp exchange of words between the advo-
Gates of immediate action and those who
think the active Investigation should be de-
ferred in ord er TO permit the administration
full opportunity to press its own inyestiga-
ton through the naval board OF inquiry.
After the decision was reached not TO go on
with the inquiry to the extent Of summon
ing witnesses, Ii was suggested that steps
should be taken by the committee TO secure
from the Navy Department all the informal
ton IN its possession, and this suggestion
was adopted. 1t is understood that the