The Indianapolis journal., 1899-02-23
DEBATE ON NAVAL BILL
HOUSE STRIKES A sNAG IN THE COST
OF ARMOR PLATE.
Opposition to Paying S540 n Ton
Tribute in Both Houses of Congress
to the Late Senator MorriI.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22-The House to-
day inaugurated the custom which has pre-
vailed for many years in the Senate Of
listening to the reading of Washington's s
farewell address on Washington's birthday
The address was read at the request of Mr..
Bailey, of Texas, the Democratic leader
Two hours were devoted to the naval ap-
preparation bill, but seemingly the threshold
of the debate on the cost of armor plate
has been passed. Mr. Boutelles amend
ment fixing the maximum price of armor
plate at $545 per ton but restricting the pro-
vision to the appropriation made in the
present bill, was ruled to be in order, where
upon another proposition was offered by Mr.
Underwood of Alabama, for the erection of
AN armor-plate plant by the government. A
point Of order against the latter proposition
was pending when consideration of the
naval bill was suspended to allow the men,
bers of the House to pay tribute to the
memory of the late Senator Morrill,, of Ver-
mont.
During the debate on the naval bill there
was an interesting tilt between Mr.. Boutelle
and Mr.. Hopkins. Mr.. Boutelle intimated
that Mr.. Hopkins wanted to sheath our
ships with inferior armor. The ships now
building, except the three battle ships au-
thorized last year, were to be sheathed with
armor costing S4OO ton. This armor was
inferior to that which other nations were
using. With biting sarcasm he said he did
rot think any one 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 bill. The trouble
as he saw it was that Mr., Boutelle seemed
to think that no one should have anything
to say about naval appropriations except
himself. Mr.. Hopkins said he must insist
that the gentleman from Maine was not the
whole thing" [Laughter.l Mr.. Hopkins
said he had no personal or selfish motives
in raising the point of order he had. He
Versy over the cost OF armor plate, the IN
vestigation of the Fifty-third and Fifty
fourth Congresses and the final action of
Congress after full debate restricting the
cost of armor plate to $780, Yet now, said
he, the gentleman from Maine, in violation
of the rules of the House, attempted to in
Boutelle had not offered the House some
facts which warranted this proposed in
crease.
Mr.. Boutelle interrupted to state en-
phatically that that was exactly what he
would do If Mr.. Hopkins would give him a
chance.
Later he explained the circumstances
which had led the committee to recommend
an 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 Illinois Steel Company was pre-
pared to furnish armOr at $3.50 per ton. Mr.
Boutele said he felt certain at the time
this was a bogus proposition. Congress
then limited the cost to $500. But no pro-
posals were received. The price was in
creased to $400. Before he could conclude
his statement Mr.. Boutelle's time expired
and Mr. Handy (Dem Delaware) objected
to an extension.
Mr.. Underwood, of Kentucky, 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 to be paid for the Krupp royal
ties, said that two reputable firms SAID
Krupp armor could be obtained for So45.
But what is to be paid for royaltyT per-
sisted Mr. Underwood
From A5 TO $50 per ton" finally replied
Mr.. Boutelle.
Mr.. Underwood criticised 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 supported by
Mr. Todd, who claimed to have copies OF
the Krupp patents. An armor-plate plant,
he said, in conclusion, could be Dullt Tor
So 500 900 and the government be saved the
gigantic profits dragged out OF 1t by the
armor-plate concerns.
''If the private armor-plate concerns own
the Krupp patents and refuse to sell them
to the government what can we do about
it?' asked Mr.. Hilborn (Rep., CALI
BLOW them to pieces with our cannon
shouted Mr.. Todd. This ended the debate
e. Z AIn IoWr