The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-01
NAVAL BILL HELD Up
1t is Sent Back to Conference
By the House.
AN AMENDMENT IN ISSUE
AS to Compensating Naval Of
fiCerS For Inventions.

Washington, April 30.-Today's session
of the house was devoted chiefly to con-
sideratdon of the conference report upon
the naval appropriation bill, presented
yesterday by Chairman Boutelle. The re-
port was rejected after three hours of de-
bats and further conference will follow.
The only ground upon which the fight
against the report was made was found in
the senate amendment to compensate
naval officers for government use of their
inventions, and authorizing them to have
their claims for such compensation ad-
judicated by the court of claims.
Mr.. Boutelle led the support Of the
amendment and Messrs. Cannon and Say
ers the opposition A resolution. intro
duced by Mr.. Cannon, insisting upon elm
mating the amendment was adopted-12S
to 42-and the naval bill vas again sent to
conference.
THE BILL BROUGHT UP.
Mr.. Boutelle Rep) of Maine called up
the conference report on the bill. The
speaker announced that the house ad-
Journed yesterday pending the disposition
of a point of order made by Mr.. Cannon
Rep) of Illinois that the conferees had
exceeded their jurisdiction by introducing
into the report matter which was not in
difference between the two houses. The
speaker recognized Mr.. Cannon.
Mr.. Cannon said his principle was based
upon the provision inserted by the con-
ferees, providing for additional officers,
non-commissioned officers and 800 men in
the marine corps.
Mr.. Boutelle said he was anxious to Sc
cure the earliest possible action upon the
naval ball, in order to equip and support
to the utmost the forces the country had
sent 70 war, to the end that the earliest
success to our arms might be accomplish
ed. Accordingly he was not inclined to
insist upon technicalities that might delay
the passage of the bill, but was willing TO
make any reasonable arrangement that
would give the house a fair opportunity
to consider the amendment in question.
After some discussion, Mr.. Boutelle made
request for unanimous consent that the
report be rejected, with the right to move
to reconsider reserved, pending which mo-
ton the house should proceed to consider
alton and debate of the report, each side
TO occupy one hour and a half
INVENTIONS OF OFFICERS.
Mr.. Boutelle's request was agreed to,
and then Mr.. Sayers CDem) of Texas had
read the senate amendment directing the
secretary of the navy to use when neces-
say inventions of naval officers, and au-
thorizing such officers to prosecute claims
for compensation therefor in the court of
claims.
Mr.. Cannon presented a resolution de-
claring il the sense of congress that Of
ficers of the navy were not entitled to
compensation for the use of inventions
made while in the service of the navy,
and that the laws should be so amended
As to prevent such compensation.
Mr.. Savers spoke in opposition TO the
amendment. relative to compensation for
inventions, declaring the inventor officers
were educated and employed at the ex-
pense Of the government and the latter
was entitled to use without expense the
inventions of such officers.
Mr.. Shafroth of Colorado spoke in oppo-
sition to the amendment, and in the course
of an interruption Mr.. Cannon pointed out
that the amendment contemplated only
officers Of the navy and made no mention
of other employees.
Mr.. Walker of Massachusetts addressed
the house in support of the amendment.
insisting that the government had no right
10 appropriate without compensation the
inventions of its naval officers.
GOVERNMENT PAYS FOR n.
Mr.. Bromweel of Ohio spoke for the
amendment and Mr. Money of Mississippi
followed in opposition, declaring the gov
eminent took its naval officers almost
from the cradle and carried them TO the
grave, and should be entitled to their in
Ventions.
Mr.. Dockery Of Missouri opposed the
amendment. 1t would not apply 20 GER
tain officers. Proceeding. he said II was
q most unusual Feature to be introduced
into a appropriation BILL and it looked
like there was something wrong in the
proposition and that an effort was being