New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-25
HOUSE PASSES WAR BILLS.
SIX OF THEM ADOPTED IN LESS THAN
TWO HOURS.
AN AGREEMENT on THE RESOLUTION PRorrD-
ING FOR AN AUXILIARY NAVAL FORCE.

An AGREEMENT on THE RESOLUTION rRoVfp-
ING FOR AN AUXILIARY NAVAL FORCE.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO TRInrSE.l
Washington May 24.-Although the House OF
Representatives was in session less than two
hours to-day. II passed an even half-dozen war
measures. Two Of them were reported from the
Committee on Military Affairs. and after brief
examinations were unanimously passed one
provided for an increase Of the number OF Army
hospital stewards (now limited by law To lVO
during the continuance Of the existing war. The
other one amended and extended the provisions
of existing law for the trial and sentence by
summary courts-marial Of enlisted men OF the
Army for minor military offences
Three bills were called up by Chairman Bou-
telle OF the Committee on Naval Affairs. one OF
them provided for the reorganization OF the hos
pital corps Of the Navy. which. according to the
Surgeon General. is in an unsatisfactory condi-
ton owing to lack Of legislation. Some OF the
Democrats declined TO allow this bill to be con-
sdercd unanimous consent being refuseD UNI
less Chairman Boutelle would admit an amend
ment limiting the operations Of the act to the
period covered by the existing war. and he
finally yielded in order to hasten action. 1t Is
expected that the Senate will strike out the linn
itatlon, which seems to be unwise and unneces-
sary. one of the objects OF the measure Is TO
put the hospital corps OF the Navy on the same
footing az that Of the Army. which has rem
dered such efficient and satisfactory service since
early in the Civil War. when It was reorganized
on it's present basis.
The second measure offered by Chairman Bou-
telle was one to validate certain appointments OF
officers In the Navy which were made to meet
sudden and pressing exigencies prior to the pas
sage Of the law authorizing such appointments.
1t was explained that this was substantially the
same resolution passed in 1861 to validate
certain appointments made by President Lincoln
under similar circumstances. ana 1t was passed
without objection.
After a brief explanation by Chairman Bou-
telle the Scnats amendments to the House Joint
resolution providing for the organization and
enrolment Of the United States auxiliary force
for coast defence were concurrcd in without a
division or a dissenting vote. The amendments
limit TO 5000 the number Of men To be thus en-
rolled and reduce from 81 cocoon to $3vo.po
the appropriation for the purchase hire OF
vessels To be manned by the auxiliary force.
The difficulty Of obtaining suitable vessels for
the transportation OF troops and supplies from
San Francisco to Manila induced the War De-
partment 10 recommend that American register
be granted to the Zealandia steamer built IN
England. but nov owned by American citizens
and sailing under the Hawaiian flag. The rec
Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries
and when Chairman Payne called up the bin to-
day there was no objection 20 It's confederation
or passage. The bill passed the Senate yester-
day. and viii undoubtedly become a law to-rnor-
row. as the Zeaanda Is expected to arrive M
San Francisco from Honolulu on Thursday
morning. and the Government Ia In urgent need
OF her services as a military transport.