The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-18
ARMOR PLATE UNDER DEBATE.
NAVAL BILL is NOT CONSIDERED
ExTRAVAGANT.

Possibility of Change in Defending
Vessels Used as an Argument
Against a Government Plant-EIIi-
oft of south Carolina Advocates
the Inside Water ROute-Whee1er
Intimates "a United states Ofncer Is
Back of ArmOr Plate Trust.
Washington, April 1.-THE second days
debate upon the naval appropriation bill
In the House today was confined closely
to the subject matter of the BILL and was
as a rule, devoid of interesting features.
The questions of armor plate and the
building of warships in government yards
as OIL yesterday, attracted most attention.
The speakers to-day were Messrs. Day
ton of West Virginia, Loudenslager of
New Jersey, Adams of Pennsylvania,
Vandiver of Missouri. Elliott of South
Carolina, Rixey of Virginia, Fitzgerald
of New York, and Wheeler of Kentucky
General debate was closed to-day and
tomorrow the bin will be read for amend
ment under the iive-minute rule.
Mr. Dayton, a member of the Naval
Committee. the first speaker. contended
that the naval programme outlined in the
bill, was not an extravagant one. He
predicted that larger appropriations would
be required in the future. He opposed
the building of warships in government
yards, and the establishment of a govern
ment arInor plate factory.
Mr. Wheeler asked If there was not
lobby here 10 defeat the proposition 20
build ships in government yards.
II never heard of such lobby" replied
Mr. Dayton. THE only lobby ] have seen
was the lobby of naval constructors, II II
could be called a lobby, arguing in favor
of the proposition l oppose"
One OF the strongest reasons urged by
Mr. Dayton against the government en-
barking in the manufacturing Of armor
was the possibility that In a few years
the whole scheme of defending ships
might change. Already a naval expert
had suggested compressed cotton as sub
stitute for arrnor.
plea for Inside Water Route.
Mr. Elliott of South Carolina made an
extended argument in favor Of completing
the inland waterway along the Atlantic
coast both for defense and as an artery
OF commerce In time of war
Mr. Elliott gave some interesting sta
tistics regarding the wonderful strides of
the cotton industry In the South, especial
ly in South Carolina, which Is now third
in the production of cotton fabrics and
which, he said promises soon to be second
only to Massachusetts.
Mr. Rixey Of Virginia criticised the ex-
travagance in the bill. He favored the
consolidation OF some Of che bureaus. He
also advocated gOYernmeht-built ships
and goyernment-made armor.
Mr.. Wheeler Of the committee criticised
reverely the rule Of the House which pro-
hibited members from making public on
the floor what was done and said behind
committee doors and declared himself IN
favor Of compelling committees 10 open
ahelr doors 90 the press. The most vicious
legislation was batched behind closed
doors.
He also opposed. he said. the appoint
ment u men with special interests 20
serve on committees. Their desire 20
serve their constituents. he said out
weighed their duty 20 their country
Does Not want 90 Be Robbed.
Upon confederation Mr. Wheeler said
he was opposed 70 d government afmor