The age-herald., 1900-04-12
PACIFIC GABLE
 BILL IS PASSED Pettus and TiIIman Have a Sharp
 CoIIoquy IN REGARD TO ALABAMA Senator Pettus Says This State is Mas ter of the Iron and Coal Situa-
 ton and is Not Struggling
IN REGARD TO ALABAMA

Washington, April 11.-With little debate of importance, the senate passed the Pa cific cable bill, measure appropriating $3,O0O,000 for the construction of cable between San Francisco and Honolulu The bill was unanimously reported by the com mittee on naval affairs, and that 1t was passed without serious objection is regard ed as compliment to the committee.
 During the greater part of the session, he District of Columbia appropriation bill xas under consideration As passed it car ies $S, 1000, 900. The senate took up a bill roviding for the construction, mainten- nee and operation under the management
 the navy department of Pacific cable he bill was reported to the senate on a ubstituto for the measure as originally in- troduced by MT. Hale. It carries an ap- propriation of $30OO,000 for the project.
 The bill provides for cable from San Francisco to Honolulu, the work to be done under the supervision of the navy department. The navy department may use its own force, or if they are inadequate may contract for the construction of the cable The cable, wires and other materials must be of American manufacture, pro-
  not exceeding 12 per cent above what the same can be procured for in foreign mar kets.
 MT. Hale explained that the bill provided only for the building of the cable from San Francisco to Honolulu. This, he said, would be in the nature of an experiment, and upon the result of it would depend in a measure the future course of the gov ernment. It might be deemed desirable, in the light of experience, to start the Phli- ippine cable from some point like Seattle and proceed to Japan by the northern route.
 Pettus Offers Amendmen5
 MT. Pettus moved to strike out section of the bill. why" he inquired, should the government consent to be taxed on it's own business for the benefit of certain manufacturers? It's an absurdity. Even if you do rob the people by your taxes you ought not to rob the government.
 MT. Tilman of South Carolina, as mem CT of the naval committee, defended the bill, in the report of which all the demo- cratic members of the committee had joined. While he was not he said, pro- tectionist or in favor of subsidies, he re- garded the provision in section Of this bill in the interest of the people, as It wouold be "sort of a nursing bottle" to the industries interested. He deemed 1t
 
 ership and control and expressed the opin- ion that it might prove a good thing for Alabama.
 Up to this date" said MT Pettus, Ala bama will not accept your bribe. l have seen one great state near mine accept the sugar bottle, and don't like it."
 MT. Tillman discaimed any effort to bribe Senator Pettus of the state of Alabama, but he was anxious to increase the strug gling iron and steel industries of Alabama, and hoped to see the day when a govern ment armor plate factory would be located in Alabama.
 Alabama Is Master
 Alabama is not struggling at all' re- torted MT. Pettus, with spirit. Alabama is master of the situation, both as to iron and coal But the great grandchildren of the seantor CTillmam will be here in the seante before any government armor plates are manufactured in Alabama. This thing is wrong, and senators know it."
 MT. Pettus' amendment was defeated, Il to 3S, and the bill passed without division. The following bills were passed:
 Appropriating $100,00 to establish branch of the national home for disabled volun- teer soldiers at Castle Pinkney, Charleston harbor; authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Tallahatchie river, Mis- sissippi; authorizing the president to invite the international congress of navigation to hold its ninth session in Washington D. C., and appropriating $25 900 for ex- penses.
 After a brief executive session the sen- ate, at 5:15 D. m., adjourned.