The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-08
And VIII BE at the Sole Disposal of
the President, to Be Expended
at His Discretion.
BONDS WILL BE UNNECESSARY
TREASURY AMPLY ABLE TO PAY OUT
THE AMOUNT REQUIRED.
Bill for Increase of the Artillery
Force Passed by the HOuse-Offers
of War Ships from Abroad.
Associated Press Dispatch.

Associated Press Dispatch.
WASHINGTON, March THE develop
ment of the war scare" to-day that at
tracted more attention than anything else
was the introduction in the House, by
Chairman Cannon of the committee on ap-
propriations, of a bill entitled: Making
appropriation for the national Defense 1t
follows;
THAT there is hereby appropriated out of
any money in the treasury not otherwise
appointed 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
30, 1898, $50,00O0O
The bill was at once referred to the
committee on appropriations, and will
probably be reported back to the House to-
morrow. There was conference last even
ing at the residence of Senator Hoar, which
was attended by members of the Cabinet,
senators and representatives. Some of
those known to be present were Secretaries
Long, Alger, Judge Day, assistant secretary
of state, Senator Allison and Representa-
tives Dingley and Cannon. 1t is also known
that some Democrats were present. AS
suranceS were given the representatives of
the administration that the amount of funds
that were deemed necessary would be pro-
vided for by Congress to put the government
in state of defense and that the adminstra-
tion would be backed up in anything that
was thought necessary. The result of the
conference last evening was a meeting of
Secretary Alger and Speaker Reed this
morning and a conference at the White
House Of House and Senate leaders. Mr..
Cannon also had an interview with the
n. o,,A lfc ,l,Icio fp ha
Capitol and called special meeting of the
appropriations committee. After this meet
ing Mr.. Cannon introduced the bill in the
House.
URGED BY THE PRESIDENT.
Mr. Cannon says he simply introduces the
bill in his individual capacity as a Repre-
sentative. This is, of course, true, but it
can be stated positively that the bill was
introduced as the result of the conference
with the President and the Republican lead
ers of both houses, and that the bill has
the Presidents approval The bill will be
considered at the postponed meeting of the
appropriations committee tomorrow, and
probably reported for immediate action
Several Democratic members of the commit
tee say they will vote for it if the Presi-
dent deems it necessary, and, so far as
known, there will be no vote against it.
There is little doubt expressed among
senator's that the Cannon bill will be
promptly considered and speedily passed
when it reaches the Senate. Many senator's
express the opinion that the most effective
method of dealing with the question would
be to take up and pass the bill Immediately
upon it's receipt in the Senate without ref
erence to committee. Some of the members
of the committee on appropriations ex-
pressed themselves as satisfied to have the
measure take this course, but others are of
the opinion that none of the effect of the
measure will be lost to have the bill re-
ferred and reported in the regular way.
Senator Allison, chairman of the committee,
expressed 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
that they did not consider that the time
had come for the actual appropriation of
money for preparations for war. but they
did not indicate any intention to antagonize
the passage of the bill or to seek to delay
it. Senators who favor the bill say it is
peace and not a war measure and some ex-
pressed the opinion that it would be more
effective if it carried 900 instead of
$50 100000.
Secretary of War Alger had a conference
with speaker 1k6eQ dL tilo ldLIeI HOlei
early this morning. The secretary of war
called upon Mr.. Reed about 9 O'Clock, and
remained with him half an hour. They
went over the existing situation thoroughly
and reached perfect understanding. The
speaker assured the secretary that the
House would promptly act upon any meas
ure deemed necessary by the administra-
ton in preparing for an emergency He
assured the secretary that the House could
be relied upon to support the administra-
ton.
BONDS NOT NECESSARY.
The proposed appropriation of $5O,OO0,OO0
will not involve the issue of bonds. This
announcement was made by the treasury
officials who stated that the treasury was
amply prepared to meet any demands that
will likely be made upon it. On Feb. 1 the
cash in the treasury amounted to S856571,-
766, of which $204, ,063,91 was gold, $511 S5s-
S34 silver, $1O7 ,564,958 in paper currency and
$3S,0S4002 in disbursing officers balances,
etc. The net available cash on hand, above
all liabilities, amounts to $225, 564 ,203
AS there has been no explanation so far of
the purpose which prompted the introduc-
tion Of Mr. Cannon's resolution, 1t may be
said that the money is wanted primarily as
an emergency fund. 1t is said by off ;ials
who will have the disposition of this treas
ure that 1t by no means follows, because
Congress places such a sum Of money in the
control of the President, that he will feel
bound to spend all of 1t. Those who look
for a wholesale purchase OF war ships from
the bargain counters of European builders
are likely to be disappointed The Navy
Department at present is inclined to make
but one purchase of this kind, at first at
least, in the shape Of substantial ironclad-