The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-24
PRICE ON ARMnR PLATE
BOUTELLE AND HOPKINS HAVE
\ WORDY DUEL.
ALL OVER The PRICE OF ARMOR PLATE
Coed Progress Was Made in the Senate on Riy-
er and Harbor Bill, SO Pages Having
Been Completed When it
Was Laid Aside,


ter declining to consider the case of
Brown VS.. Swanson, went into commit
tee of the whole and resumed the CON
sideration of the Naval Appropriation
Bill, the pending question being on the
point of oruer raised against the amend
ment offered by Mr.. Underworld Dem,
Ala.), to appropriate $4,000000 for the
construction of an armor plate plant at
such place as a board of naval officers
might select.
Mr.. Boutelle continued his defense of
the recommendation of the committee to
increase the maximum price of armor to
S545 Tests had demonstrated, he said,
that the Krupp armor of % per cent
less weight than Haryeyized armor had
equal resisting power.
Mr.. Sherman, (Rep., N. ", who was
in the chair, sustained the point of order
against the Underwood amendment.
The question then REQUIRED upon Mr..
Boutells amendment fixing the price of
armor at $545 per ton. Owing to its
resisting power, Mr.. Boutelle contended
that the cost of Krupp armor for like
protection would be slightly less than
that of Harveyized armor at S400 per
ton.
Mr.. Hopkins, Qap., Ills.), moved to
amend the Boutellt, amendment so as to
fix the price of armor plate at S44o per
ton.
The royalty on Krupp armOr, he said
was $40 per ton, and he had searched
IL. -. 1,C
manufacture of Krupp urmOr was more
expensive than Harveyized arm0r. There
had been no independent investigation
There was no recommendation save
from a subordinate official of the Navy
Department.
"That is not true" interrupted Mr..
Boutelle fiourishing aloft handful of
documents. Il have here the evidence
which the House refuses to hear"
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 ,(Rep..
Pa.)
Give the name of your authority"
said Mr.. Dalzell.
"He won't" shouted Mr.. Boutelle. Il
challenge him to name a single man who
ever made such a statement"
''Ihe gentlemen would not permit the
member from Maine to black his boot,
retorted Mr.. Hopkins, turning indignant
ly on his antagonist
At this point the gavel took Mr.. Hop
kins off the floor, and Mr.. RiXey, Dem.,
Va.). member of the Naval Committee,
in a five minute speech opposed the
committees proposition which he said
would increase the cost of armor for
single ship $4,000.
Mr.. Burke, Dem, Tex, siad it was
humilating TO hear a member of the
Naval Committee admit that the Gov
ernment was absolutely at the mercy Of
the armOr manufacturers.
Mr.. Walker, Rep., Mass.), offered an
amendment to Mr.. Hopkins amendment
providing that the Government should
not pay more for armor plate than any
foreign Government paid. The amend
ment was adopteu-112 to 4S.
The Hopkins amendment to the amend
ment was carried 102 to rs, and as
amended fixing the price Of armor at
S445). the amendment was adopted with
out division.
Mr.. Boutelle gave notice he would de-
mand separate vote in the House.
Mr.. Moody, (Rep., Mass.), then Great
ed something of a furor 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 Nice-Admiral as
well as Admiral.
Mr. Boutelle mt first reserved point
against the amendment but turning
suddenly upon Mr.. Moody, declared he
would withdraw the point in Difference
TO what appeared TO be the general de-
mand of the House, if the amendment
could be voted upon without debate
1--WE will vote without word said
Mr.. Moody. ''Votew ''Vote!" Went up
in chorus from all sides of the House.
The question ON the amendment was
nut. and it was carried with a rousing
cheer.
When the nays were called for there
was the silence Of the grave.
The bill was then reported to the
House. Separate votes were demanded
by Mr.. BouteIe upon the Naval
Academy and armor plate amendments.
both of which were carried, the former
hv 50 to 20. and the latter by 130 to
5S. Mr. Routelle then moved to recon-
nit the bill with instructions to restore
the price of armor plate to S545 per
ton as originally recommended by the