The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-23

thorized last year, were to be sheathed
with armor costing 800 a ton. This armor
was inferior TO that which other nations
were using. With biting sarcasm ne said
he did not think anyone excepting Mr..
Hopkins desired anything but the most
formidable armor TO go upon our ships.
Mr.. Hopkins denied that he had raised
technical objections TO the Dill. The
trouble, as he saw it, was that Mr.. Bou-
teIle seemed TO think that no one should
have anything TO say about naval appro-
priations except himself. Mr.. Hopkins said
ne must insist that the gentleman from
Maine was not 1.-The whole thing Oaugh-
teri Mr.. Hopkins said he had no personal
or selfish motives in raising the point OF
order ne had. He then proceeded to re-
view the long controversy over the cost
Of armor plate, the Investigation OF the
Fifty-third and Fifty-fourth congresses
and the final action Of Congress after full
debate restricting the cost Of armor plate
TO 800. Yet. now" said he, "the gentle
man from Maine. in violation OF the rules
Of house. attempted 10 increase the cost
10 s545. He asked why Mr.. Boutene had
not offered the house some facts which
warranted this proposed increase.
Mr.. Boutelle interrupted to state en-
phatically that was exactly what ne
would do II Mr.. Hopkins would give him
a chance.
Mr.. Sherman Rep., y. ". who was in
the chair. overrued the point Of order.
Mr. Boutelle thereupon took the floor in
support Of his amendment, explaining the
circumstances which had led the commit
tee to recommend an increase in the price
of armor plate 10 $545. He recalled the
fact that Mr.. Hopkins in former con-
gress had specifically stated that the Ilh-
nois Steel company was prepared to fur
nish armor plate at $3.50 per ton. Mr..
Boutelle said ne felt certain at the time
that this was a bogus proposition. Con-
gress then limited the cost TO $500 But
no proposals were received. The price
was increased TO S4GO. Before ne could
conclude his statement. Mr.. Boutelle's
time expired and Mr.. Handy Dem, Del),
objected 10 an extension.
Mr. Underwood Dem. Ala.), offered as
a substitute for the whole paragraph a
proposition TO appropriate S,000.000 for the
erection of an armor plate plant at such
place as a committee composed of three
officers OF the navy might select. Mr.. Bou-
telle raised a point of order against it.
Mr.. Underwood maintained that the
amendment was in order He attacked the
position Of the committee, which, he said,
asked for this enormous increase in the
cost Of armor plate without showing the
reasons therefor. Mr. BOutelle, after being
hard pressed for the amount 10 be paid
for the Krupp royalties, said that two rep
utable firms had said that Krupp armor
could be obtained for s545.
But what is to be paid for royalty?"
persisted Mr.. Underwood.
From $45 to $50 per tom finally replied
Mr.. Boutelle.
Mr.. Underwood criticized Mr. Boutelle
for not giving the house the information
he claimed TO possess when he reported
the bill Mr. Underwood contended that
the Krupp process was no more expensive
than the Harvey process, and was support
ed by Mr.. Todd Dem, Mich) who
claimed to have copies of the Krupp
plants. An armor plate plant, he said in
conclusion. could be built for 50. 900 and
the government be saved the gigantic
profits dragged out of it by the armor
plate concerns.
the Krupp patents and refuse to sell them
to the government, what can we do about
it?"
BLOW them to pieces with our cannon"
shouted Mr.. Todd.
Mr.. Underwood said the time was OPP
perfume for building a government plant
Without deciding the point or order, the
committee rose at 2:45 p. m.
The senate amendments 10 the naval per-
sonnet bill were non-concurred in and the
bill was sent to conference. Messrs. FOss
(Rep., ND, Dayton (Rep.. w. va and
Meyer Dem, La.). were appointed con-
ferees.
The remainder Of the day was devoted
to eulogies upon the life and public services
of the late Senator Morrill, of Vermont.
The members who paid tribute 10 the
memory of the dead were Messrs. Grout
and oPwers of Vermont; Walker OF Mass
achusetts and Grow of Pennsylvania. Az
40 p. m, as a further mark Of respect,
the house adjourned