The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-02
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.
AN AMENDMENT IN ISSUE

Washington, April So.-Today's session
Of the house was devoted chiefly to con-
sideraton Of the conference report upon
the naval appropriation bill, presented
yesterday by Chairman Boutelle The re-
port was rejected after three hours of de-
bate 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-
:udicated by the court Of claims.
Mr. Boutele led the support of the
amendment and Messrs. Cannon and Say
ers the opposition A resolution. intro
Guced by Mr.. Cannon, insisting upon elm
mating the amendment, was adopted-l2S
to 42-and the naval bill was again sent TO
conference.
THE BILL BROUGHT UP.
Mr.. Boutele CRep) 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
CRep) 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.
M Cannon said his principle was based
upon the provision inserted by the con-
ferees. providing for additional officers,
md in
che marine corps.
Mr. Boutelle said he was anxious to Sc
cure the earliest possible action upon the
naval bail. in order 10 equip and support
to the utmost the forces the country had
sent TO war. to the end that the earliest
success 10 our arms might be accomplish
ed. AccordnE.y ne vas n0- inclined TO
insist upon tocnnicaliues that might delay
the passage OF the biz, bug was willing TO
make any reasonable arrangement that
would give the house d fair opportunity
to consider the amendment in question.
After some discussion. Mr. BpUcoile made
e 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
elton and debate Of the report, each side
10 occupy one hour and a half.
INVENTIONS OF OFFICERS.
Mr.. B0utelle's request was agreed TO,
and then Mr.. Sayers CDen) of Texas had
read the senate amendment directing the
secretary OF the navy to use when neces-
say inventions Of naval officers, and au-
rhorizing such officers TO prosecute claims
for compensation therefor in the court of
claims.
Mr.. Cannon presented q resolution de-
claring it 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 he so amended
IS TO prevent such compensation.
Mr.. Savers spoke in opposition to the
amendment. relative 10 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 10 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
to appropriate without compensation the
inventions Of its naval officers.
GOVERNMENT PAYS FOR IT.
Mr.. BromweeI 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 ana carried them to the
grave. and should be entitled TO their in
Ventions.
Mr.. Dockery of Missouri opposed the
amendment. Il would not apply TO GER
tain officers Proceeding. ne said 1t was
a most unusual feaature to be introduced
into a appropriation bill. and ii looked
like there was something wrong in the
proposition and that an effort was being