Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-07
NATIONAL DEFENSE
Proposed Appropriation Of Fifty Mil
lion Dollars.
BILL INTRODUCED BY Mr.. CANNON
The Administration Assured of Sup
port in Congress.
P r Misses ARE VEN

Chairman Cannon of the appropriations
committee today introduced in the House
of Representatives a bill entitled MAX
ing appropriations for the national de-
fense''
1t is as follows: THAT there is hereby
treasury not otherwise appropriated for
the national defense ard for each and
every purpose conr ected herewith, to be
e, pended at the discretion of the Presi-
dent, and to remain available until Juno
80, 1899, $50, OOO, OOO."
The bill was referred to the appropria-
tons committee.
The bill was the outcome of q conference
held at the White House this morning. at
which Mr.. Cannon, Secretary Long, Mr..
Dingley, Senator Allison anu Gen. Gros-
venor were present. The situation was
&C nsidered so grave that it was deemed
in perative that an immense appropriation
of this character should be made at once
to prepare for the national defense. This
bill will be pressed in the House at once.
This can be stated on the highest author
ity.
Mr.. Cannon says there has been no de-
cision to take up the bill tomorrow. He
says he simply introduced the bill in his
Individual capacity as a representative.
While this is, of course, true, it can he
stated positively that the bill was introduce
ed as the result of the conference with the
President and the republican leaders OF
both houses. and with the Presidents ap-
prevail. The bill will be considered at the
postponed meeting of the appropriations
committee tomorrow. and probably report
ed fer immediate action. Several demo-
cratic members of the committee say they
will vote for it if the President deems it
necessary, and, so far as known, there ill
be 10 vote against it.
Assurances Of Speaker Reed.
Secretary of War Alger lad a conferen ~
with Speaker Reed at the latters hotel
early this morning. The Secretary OF War
called upon MI. Reed about o'clock and
remained with him half an hour. They
went over the existing situation thoroughly
ard reached perfect understanding. The
Secretary particularly urged the necessity
for the immediate passage by the House
of the Hawley bill creating two additional
regiments of artillery. The Speaker as
surred the Secretary that the House would
promptly act upon any Measure deemed
necessary by the administration in pre-
pairing for an emergency. He assured the
Secretary that the House could be relied
upon to support the administration. La-er
the Speaker decided as this was suspension
day to allow Chairman Hull of the military
committee to call up the artillery bill under
suspension of the rules.
Congress Will Provide Funds.
Senator Hale, chairman of the Senate
committee on naval affairs, and also chair
man of the subcommittee on appropriations
to consider the naval BILL said today that
he had suggested to Secretary Long of the
Navy Department the advisa bilty of max
ing the purchase of any supplies which
might be considered necessary IN the event
CT war with the understanding that the
funds for them would be provided by Con-
gress.- The senator said that large quanti-
ties of coal had already been practically
secured for shipment to Key West, and he
Fad no doubt that the Secretary would ex-
tend the policy by contracting for war
ships and ammunition if necessary.
Il hardly think, however" he said, "tnat
it will become necessary, for l hope that
there will no war. Furthermore, / doubt
the report that Spain has purchased any
war ships. But be that as it may, no pre-
caution will be left untaken by this country
to insure proper protection of our inter
ests in any contingency. 1 have agreed
with those who have advised against spe-
clal appropriation bills for the purchase of
supplies L Inlnk Ine secretary mas
sufhcient authority now to make any pur-
chase necessary, and if he finds it necessary
to expend more funds than he has these
will be supplied in the general deficiency or
some other general appropriation BILL
The Cromwell Bill.
A controversy has arisen between the
House committees on appropriations and
naval affairs over the claim set up by each
as to jurisdiction over the bills introduced
to appropriate money for the purchase of
warships. The Speakers clerk referred
the Bromwell bill to appropriate $40 OOO. 900
for the purchase of ships to the appropria-
tions committee. The bill made the
money Immediately available 1t was ar
gCed that, while the naval committee
would have Jurisdiction over a bill to pur-
chase or build ships, the fact that the ap-
preparation was to be Immediately avail
able would make the bill. in effect a de-
hciency bill. All appropriations made by
the last Congress cover the fiscal year end
ing June 30 1893. Regular appropriations
by this Congress are all for the coming fis-
cal year. and any appropriation to be paid
before June 30. 1898 is deficiency A
similar bill to that of Mr.. Cromwell, intro
dUced by Mr.. Gibson of Tennessee went
to the naval committee because the money
was not made Immediately available.
Mr.. Boutelle, chairman of the naval COM
mittee, claims Jurisdiction over both bills
The controversy has not yet been settled,
but upon the issue, as can readily be seen,
will depend the determination of whether
the appropriations committe or the naval
committee Will have jurisdiction over emer-
gency bills carrying money for the navy
where the money is to be expended before
June 20 next.