Omaha daily bee., 1898-03-08

Congressman Cannon Offers n Bfll
AnprOpriattnE FIFTY MilIiOns.

.a ApDrOprtat1nE F1Ity MiiIiouS'
WASHINGTON, March chairman Can
! non of the appropriations committee today
introduced a bill entitled Appropriations
for the national defense" 1t Is as follows:
"That there is hereby appropriated out Oh
any money in the treasury not otherwise
! appropriated for the national defense and
| for each and every purpose connected there
with to be expended at the discretion OF the
president and to remain available until June
3o 1899, $4,000, 900.
1t was referred to the committee on ap-
propriations
The Cannon bill, 1t was learned later, was
the outcome OF a conference held at the
White House this morning, at which Mr..
Cannon, Secretary Long, Mr.. Dlngley, Sem
ator Alliscu and General Grosvenor were
present. The situation was considered so
grave that it was deemed imperative that an
immense appropriation OF this character
ehculd be made at once to prepare for the
national defense. This bill will be pre-
sented in the house at once. This can be
| stated on the highest authority.
Representative Cannon after his interview
| with the president this morning, went to the
capitol and called special meeting OF the ap-
propriations committee. After this meeting
Mr. Cannon introduced the national defense
| bill in the house. The appropriations COM
mittee will meet tslorrow.
The Cannon bill, appropriating $5o,oOO,0oo
| to provide for the national defense, will prob
| ably be presented to the house tomorrow.
Mr.. Cannon says he simply introduced the
sentative. This is, of course, true, but 1t can
| n cd hat ha w
duced as the result of the conference with
| the president and the republican leaders OF
| both houses, and that the bill has the presi-
dents approval. The bill will be considered
at the postponed meeting of the appropria-
tions committee tomorrow, and probably re-
ported for immediate action. Several demo-
cratic members of the committee say they
will vote for it II the president DEEMS it
| be no vote against 1t.
| There was a conference last evening at the
residence Of Senator Hoar Of Massachusetts,
which was attended by members Of the cabi-
net, senators and representatives. Some OF
| those known to be present were: Secretaries
Long and Alger, Judge Day, assistant secre-
| tary of state; Senator Allison, Representa-
tives Dingey and Cannon. 1t is also known
| that some democrats were present. Assur-
ances were given the representatives Of the
J administration that any amount of funds
| that were deemed necessary would be pro-
vided by congress to put the government In a
state Of defense and that the administration
would be backed up in anything that was
| thought necessary. The result of the con-
| ference last evening was a meeting of Sec
| retary Alger and Speaker Reed today, and a
conference at the White House today OF
house and senate leaders, followed by the in
| PRODUCTION Of the $4,000, 600 defense bill by
Mr.. Cannon today 1t is expected that the
| bill will pass the house tomorrow.
| There is little doubt expressed among sen.
ators tina. the Cannon bill appropriating s50,-
100000 will be promptly considered and
speedily passed when 1t reaches the senate
| Many senators express the opinion that the
| most effective method OF dealing with the
| question would be to take up and pass the
bill Immediately upon its receipt in the sen.
| ate without reference to committee Some
OF the members of the committee on appro-
! priations express themselves as satisfied to
I have the measure take this course but
others are OF opinion that none of the effect
Of the measure will be lost to have the bill
referred and reported in the regular way.
Chairman Allison OF the committee ex-
| pressed the opinion that the bill should be
referred saying that the committee would
probably be able to report 1t within twenty.
four hours.
A few senators said they did not consider
the time had come for the actual appropria-
tion of money for preparation for war, but
they did not indicate any intention to an
tagonize the passage Of the bill or to seek
to delay 1t.
Senators who favor the hill say II Is q
| ocaeA ~ nor n WAR easure and anna az,