New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-23
CONTEST OVER ARMOR PLATE
QUESTION OF COST HOTLY DEBATED IN
THE HOUSE
PROPOSITION FOR A GOVERNMENT PLANT
AGAIN INTRODUCED - CLASH Be
TWEEN MEssRs. BOUTELLE
AND HOPKINS

Washington Feb 22-The House to-day. In
accordance with the custom which has prevailed
for many years in the Senate. listened 10 the
reading OF Washington's Farewell Address on
Washington's Birthday The address was read
at the request of Mr. Bailey. OF Texas, the Dem
ocratic leader Two hours devoted 10 the
Naval Appropriation bill, but seemingly only the
threshold Of the debate on the cost OF armor
plate has been passed
The pending question was on the point Of or
der raised by Mr. Hopkins against an amend
ment offered by Mr.. Boutelle fixing the maxi
mum cost of armor plate, for which s4.~~oOo
was appropriated in the Naval bill. at SOD a
ton.
THE BEST ARMOR WANTED
Mr. Boutelle declared that the result Of Mr.
Hopkinss efforts would be To sheathe ships with
inferior armor The ships now building. except
the three batte-ships authorized last year, were
TO be sheathed with armor costing S4O ton.
This arrnor was inferior TO that which other
nations were using With biting sarcasm he
said he did not think any one except Mr.. Hop
kins desired anything but the most formidable
armor 70 go on the new ships. The Cramp COM
pany was now placing on a ship being built for
Russia the Krupp armor. which all experts con-
coded was - per cent better than the Harvey
improved armor. he said except Mr. Hopkins
and the Illinois Steel COMPANY"
How much is Cramp paying for the Krupp
armor?" asked Mr. Underwood Of Alabama
Il am unable to state" replied Mr. Boutelle
Mr. Hopkins denied that NJ had raised tech
nical objections to the bill. The trouha, as he
saw it, was that Mr.. Boutelle seemed 10 think
that no one should have anything TO say about
naval appropriations except himself lie must
Insist that the gentleman from Maine was not
the whole thing" Gaughter) Mr.. Hopkins
said he had no personal or selfish motives in
raising the point OF order. He then proceeded
to review the long controversy over the cost of
armor plate, the Investigations Of the LID and
LIVth Congresses. and the final action OF Con-
gress after full debate in restricting the cost Of
armor plate to 500 Yet now he said, the
gentleman from Maine. in violation OF the rules
Of the House. attempted 10 increase the cost to
$545 lie asked why Mr.. Boutelle mad not given
the House some facts which warranted this pro-
posed increase.
Mr. Boutee interrupted to say emphatically
that this Was exactly what h. would do if Mr.
Hopkins would give him chance.
Mr. Sherman. of NewYork who was in the
chair. overruled the point OF order.
Mr. Bouteile then took the floor in support of
which had led the committee to recommend
increase Of the price Of armor plate TO $545. He
recalled the fact that Mr. Hopkins in a former
Congress had specifically stated that the Hi
nols Steel Company prepared to furnish
armor at $500 a ton. Mr. Boutale said he felt
certain at the time that this was a bogus
proposition Congress then limited the cost To-
$500. But no proposals were received. Inc
price increased 10 $4p.
Before 2 could finish his statement MI. Bou-
telle's time expired and Mr.. Handy OF Della
ware, objected to an extension
FOR A GOVERNMENT PLANT
Mr.. Underwood offered as a substitute for the
whole paragraph proposition to appropriate
$4,000 600 for the erection Of a Government
armor-pIate plant at such place as a commits
sion composed Of three officers Of the Navy
/ might select Mr.. Boutelle raised a point OF or
der against Il. Mr. Underwood maintained that
the amendment was In order He attacked the
position II the committee. which, he said asked
FOR this enormous increase in the cost OF armor
plate without printed hearings showing the rea-
Mr.. Boutene. after being hard pressed for the
amount TO he paid for the Krupp royalties, an
swcred that two reputable hrms said hrupp
armor could be obtained for Solo ton
But what is to be paid for royalty" per-
sisted Mr.. Underwood
From SO 70 so a ton finally replied Mr
Mr. Underwood criticised Mr. Boutele for not
giving the House the information he SAID ne
| possessed when he reported the bill lie con-
tended that the Krupp process was no more eA-
pensiye than the Harvey process ara was sup
ported by Mr. Todd. Of Michigan. who SAID ne
had copies OF the Krupp patents. An arinor-
| plate plant he said, in conclusion, could pc
built for $4,000 and the Government De
saved the gigantic profits dragged out OF 1t Oy
/ the armOrplate concerns -.
IF the private armorplate concerns own the
Krupp patents and refuse 70 sell them 70 the
/ Government what can We do about II! asked
Mr. Huborn Of California .
BLOW them TO pieces with our cannon
shouted Mr.. Todd =
Mr. Underwood said the time " as opportuhe
for building a Government plant.
Without deciding the point OF order the cohi-
mittee rose. 49,, r,o, -
The Senate amendments 70 the Naval Person
mol hill were non -cOncurred IN. and the OH was
sent 10 conference. Messrs. Foss. Dayton anu
Never were appointed conferrees
The conference report on the Legislative Elk
ecutive and Judicial Appropriation Dill was
adopted without debate. The report was cum
rl.,a agreement between the two houses
The remainder Of the day was devoted 70 euio
gies on the life and public services or the laos
Senator Morrill,. OF Vermont The meIhpers VIM
Maid tributes 70 the memory u the ntah Sena
tor we're Nessrs Grout and Powers OF erIhoht'
Walker OF Massachusetts, and Grow OF teIln
svlvania As a further mark OF respect inc