Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-27
NO ECONOMY now.
FUTILE PLEA IN THE HOUSE By MIR.
CANNON, OF ILLINOIS.
He OPPOSED "ExTRAVAGANcE"
OBJECTED To HAsTY "EMERGEN-
CY" APPROPRIATIONS.
Wants to See Modern Battleships
Tested Before He Votes to Build
More-Attempt to Limit the
Number of Dry Docks
Voted Down.
HE OPPOSED "ExTRAVAGANcE'

Washington, March 28.-During the de-
bate on the naval appropriation bill to-day
In the house, every utterance in favor of
aggressive action against Spain was ap-
plauded to the echo by the crowded gal
ieries. A strong effort was made to in
crease the appropriation for the naval re-
serves. but it failed. Another effort to
have the government uniform the naval
militia also failed. The main contest Of the
day was over a proposition to decrease the
number Of timber dry docks authorized by
the bill from four to three. 1t led Mr..
Cannon, chairman of the appropriations
committee, who made the motion, to dis
cuss the whole question of war prepara-
tions, and to fnveigh against undue ex-
travagance. He was voted down, 7S-10S. Nc
point Of order was made against the pro-
posed timber docks, but Mr.. Cannon gave
notice that he would raise point against
the proposed steel dock at Algiers, La, on
the ground that q dock necessarily in
volved in the future the establishment Of a
naval yard There was some further dis
cussion Of the relative merits of large bat
tlaships and smaller war craft, in which
tho temper of the house seemed almost
equally divided. but the paragraphs re-
lating to the ships had not been reached
when the house adjourned.
A special notice was sent to all the Re-
publican members of the house this morn
ing to be in their seats at noon to-day.
The leaders had decided to bring in q
special rule to bring the naval appropria-
ton bill to q vote II the flibustering OF
yesterday was to be resumed, but as the
Democrats gave assurances that the OBJ
structive tactics would not be continued
the plan Of bringing in a rule was aban-
oned.
% H:I,
was resumed, Mr.. Elliott, Democrat. OF
provide the naval militia with clothing.
He pointed out that the national guard
were provided with uniforms. If war came.
the naval militia would be called upon be-
fore the national guard. In fact, the naval
militia of three states had already been
called out. The navy department indorsed
this proposition.
Mr.. Boutelle pointed out that the govern
ment had never been called upon to sup
ply clothing to tho naval militia, and he
did not believe the scope Of the government
appropriations had been broadened. The
amendment was lost
Another amendment was offered by Mr..
Foote. Republican, Of New York. to in
crease the appropriation for arms. accou-
trements, ETC., Of naval reserves, from $6O,-
600 to 100000.
Mr.. Boutelle. Republican, of Illinois, in
supporting the amendment, argued that
it was the duty of the United States to in
tervene in Cuba His remarks aroused out
bursts Of applause, but he was repeatedly
called to order under the ruling of yester-
day. limiting the debate to the section un-
der consideration.
Mr.. Lewis. Democrat, Of Washington,
also argued in favor Of Intervention. War,
he said, was already upon US. We were
fools to disguise it. It was not patriotic
to delude ourselves further. The Spanish
torpedo flotilla was sailing toward our
shores. He asserted that it was the duty
Of the government to intercept that fleet
and blow her from the seas. When he