The San Francisco call., 1898-02-06
DEFENSE OF
 THE NATION
 CURTAILED Passage of a Bill Pro- viding for Coast
 Fortifications. Only a Little More Than Four Million Dollars
 Appropriated. Representatives Declare the Country Is in No Danger 
Representative Declare the Country Is in No Danger
 of War.
so ECONOMY IS URGED.
Efforts to Amend the Measure Fail and Statesmen Talk of Trusts
 and Finances.
Special Dispatch to The Call.
Call Office, Riggs House,

Washington, Feb. 5.
 The House to-day, during it's entire session, had under consideration the bill making appropriations for fortifi- cations and coast defenses. Little in- terest seemed to be manifested in the proceedings, less than one-half of the members being present during the ses- sion. The bill was passed by the House, carrying s4,144,912, as against $9,517, Al for last year.
 At the opening of the session of the House Royce (R.) of Indiana, chairman of the Committee on Elections No. 2, pre- sented a resolution declaring that in the contest between Samuel Hudson and Will liam McAleer of Pennsylvania, for a seat in the House, McAleer is entitled to the seat Without division the resolution and report of the committee was adopted.
 A bill granting to the Gulf. Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad Company the right to construct a branch of it's road in the Indian Territory was passed
 A bill authorizing the Muskogee Coal operate a railroad through the Indian 1 Territory and Oklahoma Territory was also passed.
 The House then went into committee of the whole and resumed consideration of the Notifications appropriation bill.
 Mcclellan (D.) of New York in a speech declared that the bill carried no adequate appropriation for the defense of New York harbor, and said the trouble was that too much money was expended for the improvement of our harbors, which would make them accessible to hostile fleet. Tt would be much better" said he, first to protect our harbors, and then, after they are protected, to inn prove them."
 member of the Appropriations Commit tee, expressed the opinion that there was not the slightest prospect or war with any foreign nation. Economy" said he, ought to be the watchword on both sides of this Chamber, and no appropria- tion for any project ought to be made unless it is absolutely necessary"
 After discussing the work of the Ap- propriations Committee in consideration of the various appropriation bills, Savers said: Our revenues are large enough. It ought to be our effort to reduce the ex- penSes Of the Government in order that they may conform to the receipts. We ought to unite to make this Congress one of the most economical since the Civil War;
 By the introduction of an amendment to reduce the maximum price of oil- tempered and annealed steel from 23 to P cents per pound McRae of Arkansas secured the floor and made a sharp at- tack upon the administration. He said he had no fear of war, because he was satisfied the present administration would accept any insult from a foreign nation
 
 foot, as 1t was, by trusts and monopolies. The great mass of the people. however would protect the honor of the country Instead of preparing for war, to protect the country from the inroads of foreign nation. McRae thought Congress ought to protect the country from a further issue of bonds, which seemed likely, in view of the present condition of the revenues, be- fore the end of the year.
 Foot (R.) of New York and Mahon (R) of Pennsylvania opposed the amendment, maintaining that the adoption would re- suit precisely as had the effort of Con- gress to reduce the price of armor plate, and that it was likely to cause one years delay in the manufacture of guns. The amendment was defeated, 56 to 34
 Lewis (D.) of Washington obtained the floor to conclude the remarks he had be- gun earlier in the day. He maintained that the treasury had now only SPA 900 0O0 with which to pay two- billion dollar debt-a debt that was constantly increaS- ing. He held that the Government was now paying a 200-cent dollar in liquidation of its bligations-obligation that when contracted were worth only 50 cents on the present dollar.
 After another fruitless effort on the part of Mcclellan to amend the bill, the reading of the measure was concluded. reported by the committee of the whole to the House and passed.
 At 3:10 p. m. the House adjourned until Monday