The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-24
PRICE OF ARMoR PLATE FIXED.
AN AMENDMENT ADOPTED MAKING
1T $445 PER TON.

BOuteIIe's Amendment Putting IL at
ed 1t an Attempt TO BuncO the
GOvernment-Membe We're Eager
for Vote at Once-The Naval APP
preparation Bill Under Serious
Discussion.
Washington, Feb. 2s.-Immediately after
the reading of the Journal in the House
to-day, Mr.. Crumpacker. Republican, of
Indiana, called up the contested election
case of Brown VS.. Swanson, from the
Fifth Virginia district. Against this Mr..
Miers. Democrat. of Indiana. raised the
question of consideration.
Mr. Crumpacker attempted to call up the
same case several weeks ago, but the
House, by a vote of 1lS to 70 decided not
to consider it, The House to-day declined
TO consider the case, SO to 1872.
The committee on naval affairs, which
had the right of way with the naval APP
preparation bill agreed to yield an hour TO
the committee on the District of Column
bia. to dispose of some important matters.
At Las D. M, the House went into com
sideration of the naval appropriation bill,
the pending question being on the point
of order raised against the amendment Of
fered by Mr.. Underwood, Democrat, of
Alabama, to appropriate 100000 for the
construction of an armor plate plant at
might select.
Mr.. Boutelle continued his defense OF the
recommendation of the committee to in
| crease the maximum price of armor 10
$545 Tests had demonstrated he said, that
1.-The Krupp armor of % per cent. less weight
than Harveyized armor, had equal resist
| ing power. MIR. Sherman, Republican of
New York, who was in the chair, sustained
| the point of order against the Underwood
amendment
BoufeIIe's Amendment.
The question then required upon Mr..
Boutelles amendment fixing the price of
armor at $545 per con. Owing to its resist
ing power Mr.. Boutclle contended that the
cost of Krupp armor for. like protection
would be slightly less than that of Har
veyized armor at 800 per ton.
Mr.. Hopkins, Republican of Illinois, NOV
ed TO amend the .Boutelle amendment so
as to fix the price Of armor plate at t445
| per ton.
The royalty on Krupp armor he said,
| was SIS per ton, and he had searched in
vain for evidence to show that the manu-
| facture of Krupp armor was more eXpen-
sive than Harvey armor. There had been
no independent investigation. There was
no recommendation save from q subordi-
nate official of the navy department
That Is not true" interrupted Mr.
Boutel!e, fourishing aloft a hand full of
documents. II have here the evidence
which the House refused 10 hear"
An Attempt 10 BuncO.
Mr.. Hopkins declared that he had been
| informed upon reputable authority that the
proposition in the, bill was an attempt TO
''bunco" the government. This statement
aroused the indignation of Mr.. Boutelle,
and Mr.. Dalzell, Republican of Pennsyl-
vania.
Give the name of your authority" said
| Mr.. Dalzen.
lie won't" shouted Mr.. BoutelFe. 81
| challenge him to name a single man who
ever made such statement"
THE gentleman would not permit the
member from Maine to black HE boots. "
| upon his antagonist.
At this point the gavel took Mr.. Hopkins
off the floor and Mr.. Rixey, Democrat of
| Virginia, a member of the naval commit
tee, in a five-minute's speech, opposed the
| committees proposition, which he said
would increase the cost of armor for a
single ship $4,000
1t Was HumiIiating.
Mr.. Burke, Democrat of Texas, said il
| was humliatng to hear a member of the
naval committee admit that the govern
| ment was absolutely at the mercy of the
armor plate manufacturers
Mr.. Walker, Republican of Massachu-
sets, offered an amendment to Mr.. Hop
kins amendment, providing that the gov
eminent should not pay for more armor
plate than any foreign government paid.
The amendment was adopted, 112 to IS.
The Hopkins amendment to the amend
| ment was carried, 102 to IS, and as amend
ed (hxing the price of arnor at $40 the
| amendment was adopted without division.
Mr.. Boutelle gave notice he would de-
mand a separate vote in the House.
Mr.. Moody, Republican, of Massachu-
sets, then created something of furore
| by offering, at the end of the bill copy
| of the Senate bill to create the rank OF
| admiral of the navy. Uproarious applause
| greeted the reading of the amendment
| The naval committee had amended this
| BILL so as to create the rank of vice ad-
miral, as well as admiral
Mr.. Boutelle at first reserved point of
| order against the amendment, but, turn
| ing suddenly upon Mr.. Moody, declared
| he would withdraw the point in Difference
to what appeared to be the general demand
of the House, if the amendment could be
| voted upon without debate. 80
wanted a Vote at Once.
1--WE win vote without word" said MIR.
| Moody. Voter "Vote!" went up In chorus
| from all sides of the House.
The question on the amendment was put
| and it was carried with a rotsing cheer