New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-24
MONEY VOTED FOR THE NAVY.
LONG AND BITTER FIGHT OVER ARMOR
PLATE ENDED.
PRICE REDUCED TO s445 A TON-PROvI-
SION TO REVIVE THE GRADE OF
ADMIRAL ADOPTED-NAVAL COM
MITTEE TWICE DEFEATED.
by TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

hercely for nearly three days over the price 10
be paid for armor plate FOR the new warshps
came 10 an end. the Committee on Naval Al
fairs sustaining reverse. The price 10 he paid
for armor was cut down from sob ton. which
the committee insisted was being paid for the
new Krupp armor. to $40. and a provlso was
also ded precluding the Government from
paying more than was paid by any other Gov
eminent for similar armor. When the bill was
reported to the House Mr. Boutelle attempted to
secure reversal Of the verdict Of the Commit
tee Of the Whole but was defea ted motion to
recommit the bill made by him being voted
down. 100 t. 70
Another victory over the committee was Sc
cured by the adoption II a provision creating
the rank of Admiral Of the Navy This was ac-
compIshed by Mr. Moody. Of Massachusetts,
who offered a copy Of the Senate bill creating
this rank an amendment 10 the Naval bill.
The amendment was clearly subject TO the point
Of order which Mr. Boutele raised against 1t.
but the sentiment Of the House was so appar-
emily unanimous in favor Of the amendment
that he withdrew III. poirt n order and it was
adopted without dissenting vote. The Naval
Committee had amended the Senate bin so as
IN create the rank Of Vice Admiral also, but
Mr. Moodys amendment was the original Sen
ate bill without the latter provision. Great APP
rlause greeted the reading Of the amendment
and # was carried with a rousing cheer.
THE ARMOR-PLATE FIGHT.
The leaders Of the opposing forces in the
arrnor-plnte controversy were Chairman Bou-
,elle Of the Naval Committee and Mr.. Hopkins
Of Illinois Both Of them are Republicans. but
the compliments they bestowed on each other
when the debate grew hot and hotter this after
noon were more forcible than polite
For several years Mr. Hopkins has felt con-
WINGED that the Government was paying too
much for armor plate. and in the LID Congress
he worked with zeal and assiduity TO have
provision inserted in the Naval Appropriation
bill forbddng the payment Of more than @"'D
a ton This was done and the consequence vas
that the Government was unable TO obtain suit
able armor plate either in the United States or
abroad in the next two years There was an
implied pledge or understanding that an ILL
nois corporation would furnish il al that rate
hut the later offer was coupled with inadmissi-
bic conditions such as that the Government
must accept 5000 tons a year for twenty years
and In default Of doing would pay fine Of
500 ton for all deficiencies up 10 5000 tons
year.
In the LIvth Congress the Government was
a ton. plus the royalty paid 70 the owners Of the
patent for the Harvey process This year new
question arose. Should the Government have
it's armor plate manufactured according to the
Krupp process. which gives a much greater re-
slstance. and has been adopted by all other Gov
ernments engaged in building battle-shps or
having them built? Some plates made according
10 this process were tested at the Indian Head
proving-ground under the direction OF the Naval
Chief Of Ordnance. and the results were such
that he recommended its adoption, and his rec
ommendation was approved by Secretary Long
and adopted by the Naval Affairs Committee OF
the House in the preparation OF the Naval APP
Precipitation bill.
AN EXCITING DEBATE.
But armor plate manufactured b. this process
costs more than that now in use. The Amer
lean manufacturers were willing and able 10
furnish it, but they insisted that in order TO do
so the maximum price must be raised 10 sob a
ton. and that was the maximum limit fixed by
the Naval Committee on the recommendation OF
the Secretary Of the Navy AID the experts who
had investigated the subject. Mr.. Hopkins and
those who agreed with him. including all the
Democratic and Populist members except Amos
!. Cummings formerly chairman u the Naval
declared war against the proposition The test
vote came late this afternoon. after the most
lively and exciting debate OF the session, on an
amendment offered by Mr. Hopkins reduce
the limit to $40 ton.
The royalty on Krupp armor. Mr.. Hopkins
said. was SO ton and ne had searched in
vain FOR evidence 10 show that the manufacture
Of Krupp armor was more expensive than Har-
vey armor. There had been no Independent in
vestigation. There was no recommendation.
save from a subordinate official Of the Navy De
partment.
That is not true" interrupted Mr.. Boutelle
nour1shng aloft a handful of documents. Il
have here the evidence which the House refuses
10 hear"
Mr.. Hopkins declared that ne had been in
formed on reputable authority that the PROPOSE
ton In the bill was attempt to "bunco" the
Government
BOUTELLE AND DALZELL AROUSED.
This statement aroused the Indignation Of Mr.
Boutclie and Mr. Dazell Rep. PENN
Give the name Of your authority" said Mr.
DalzeH.
He won't" shouted Mr.. Boutelle Il chal-
lenge him 70 name single man who ever made
such a statement
The gentleman would not permit the member
from Maine 10 black his boots" retorted Mr..
Hopkins turning Indignantly on his antagonist.
At this point the gavel took Mr.. Hopkins off
the floor
Mr. Hepburn rep. Iowa. made a violent as
sault on the committees recommendation TO
increase the cost Of armOr. The committee he
said sometimes vaciated to the rumber OF
chips 10 bc authorized. but II never vacated
in recommending that the Government should
Doe annually held up 10y the manufacturers Of
armOr plate ami compelled 10 pay extravagant
prices The committee always tried 10 impress
the House with the idea that this question
was a most important one. which none could
have know ledge of unless he We're n the secrets
- the Naval Committee. Mr. Hepburn said he
had no doubt that every ton ~ armOr bought
from the two companies which supplied the
Government had yielded more than 500 OF
ulegitiuate prolt. He would not make such
statement he said without warrant After re-