The age-herald., 1900-04-21
LIVELY TIME
 IN THE HOUSE ArnOr Plate Provision Left Out
 of Naval Bill UNDERWOOD MADE HARD FIGHT Majority Refused a Discussion of
 Armor Plate Factory. EFFECT OF THE ACTION IN DOUBT After the Clash MT. Underwood Began Fi.ibuster and Finally Forced an Adjournment Without Taking Any Final Action
EFFECT OF THE ACTION IN DOUBT

Washington, April 2O-As result of a protracted struggle in the house today the provision of the naval appropriation bill to enable the secretary of the treasury to contract for armor for the battleships Maine, Ohio and Missouri, now awaiting their armor equipment, at $545 per ton, the price asked for Krupp armor, is out of the bill, as is the provision to repeal the $500 limitation placed upon the price of armor by the current law. The fight came at tho end of the consideration of the bill. Although the provision was obnoixous to 'he ruie' all the minority members of the committee had agreed to it, but today when 'he majority declined to allow the discuss sion of an appropriation for the establish. Iheht or an armor plate factory they re, tahated by raising a point of order against the two provisions above referred to and they were ruled out
 The exact effect of the action of the house today Is disputed. The appropriation of %'ooo,ooo under the head of "Armor and Armament remains in the bill, as we'll as the language of the provision authorizing the secretary of the navy to contract for armor of the best quality for the Maine. ohio and Missouri, the words stricken out peing at a cost not to exceed s545 ton. | including royalties"
 Difference of Opinion It Is contended by some that this em- powers the secretary to contract for the armor without regard to cost By others if is claimed that the provision will be in- eHective unless the senate inserts the price So much bad feeling was aroused by the wrangle over the armor plate provision that MT. Underwood of Alabama began a rl1busterer after the bill was reported to the house. and finally forced an adjourn- ment without final action on the bill
 During the discussion, Mir. Dayton made a point of order against the amendment. and insisted upon it, despite the protest or MT. Underwood of Alabama, who said It was outrageous that a proposition fin. volving the whole question of armor plate, which had been agitated for five years. should be strangled
 He said that fifty minutes offered by the other side was manifestly inadequate, and Tn erect was a decision that the house was to be led like bull by ring to tho bar of the house and made to yote
 MT. Vandiver charged that the agree, ment made earlier in the debate was in of, feet that there should be an hour on a nlafa question, and that the agreement was be. ing violated. To throw out this amendment. he said, would be to place the govern ment again at the mercy of the armor plate trust The chair sustained the point of or- der, from which decision Mir Underwood promptly appealed.
 Underwood Called to Order
 MT Underwood said under existing law congress could not buy armor except at $3O0 per ton, and the provision in the bilI to pay $545 for the armor of the Maine wisconsin and Missouri was a change of existing law, and therefore out of order. He was called to order several times by Mir. Hepburn for not speaking to the an- peal, and finally amid increasing excite- ment and confusion MT. Hepburn made the point that when called to order MT. Underwood must take his seat Finally debate was closed-46 to Sand the chair was sustained-T to S3.
 MT Vandivier then made the point of order that the provision to pay $545 a ton for armor of the Maine, Ohio and Missouri was change of existing law and there- fore out of order
 The act of March 3, 1s99 he sad limited the cost of the armor plate to $500 a ton. The act of the provision limited the cost to $400 ton. The point of order was de- bated at length and finally sustained by the chair.
 IHe ueHOcratS greeted the declSlOn WltH applause.
 Mir. Wheeler of Kentucky said the mi- nority had not desired to defeat the pro- vision to pay S545 for the Maine, Ohio and Missouri, but they were driven to raise the point of order by the refusal of the majority to allow test of the sentiment of the house the question of establish- ing an armor plate factory.
 Without further amendment the bill was reported to the house. MT. Underwood, of demanded a rate vote on each amendment and on the first roll call made the point of no, quorum. The speaker was unable to count a quo- rum, whereupon MT. Underwood moved an adjournment. The motion was lost but the quorum failed the next vote, and at 6:25 D. m., without finally disposing of the bill the house adjourned.