The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-21
THE NAVAL BILL DELAYED
Republicans Unable to Keep n
Quorum Present i'm the House.

cans TO maintain a quorum in the hail.
the House yesterday was prevented from
passing the Naval Appropriation bill after
having completed its consideration IN
the Committee OF the Whole. The only
matters that excited attention were the
provisions regarding the increase Of the
Navy and the purchase OF armor plate.
Upon the former, no change was made,
although Mr. Cummings OF New York en-
deavored to secure an amendment author
izng the construction Of six composite
light draft g1lnboats of about 900 tons
each. Efforts to reduce the number OF
battIeships and cruisers carried IN 'De
bill were also unayailing.
The armor plate matter developed much
controversy and some friction. The com
mittee had recommended the purchase oil
plate at a cost OF s545 a ton, the Dill LOT
the present year making the maximum
price to be paid $500. Chairman Payne, in
the Committee of the Whole, ruled that
this was a change of existing law ana 'he
words five hundred and forty-hye went
out Of the bill. The managers OF the PHI,
however. said. after adjournment, that
ton. for as left the bill makes provision
as follows:
THAT the Secretary of the Navy is
hereby authorized to procure by contract
armor of the best quality for the 0attle-
ships Maine. Ohio, and missouri at cost
not 70 exceed - dollars a ton OF twenty
two hundred and forty pounds, inciuuihs
royalties ,,..,,....
IT he
on Naval Affairs, authorizing the construc-
ton OF an armor plate plant by the Sec
rotary Of the Navy, was rejected on a POINT
of order as new legislation. in this con-
nection. the Chair became engaged IN
controversy with Mr. Underwood over lis
right to speak without limit on a point
OF order. When the bill got into the
House Mr.. Underwood prevented final &c
ton on it by demanding separate vote
on each amendment. An hours inenectiVe
effort to do business ended at $50 oclocK'
when Mr. Foss OF Illinois, in charge OF the
bill. moved TO adjourn.
The House. in Committee Of the Whole,
resumed consideration Of the bill at V: 10
o'clock. Mr.. Payne OF New York took the
chair. and the Clerk proceeded with the
reading Of the bill, beginning at the sec
ton relating TO the Naval Academy MI.
Cannon sent to the Clerks desk an amend
ment. changing the phraseology oil me
substitute adopted on Thursday, Which
follows:
BuildiugS and grounds, Naval Academy: To-
ward the construction at the Naval Aeauehs, Aii-
napolis Md Of a suitable building Tor Use a
cadet quarters $4,000, provided that before any
part Of this sum is expended plans shall be pre-
pared and approved by the Secretary OF the Navy
covering all contemplated new buildings ana I'M
provements at the Naval ACADEMY. which plans
shall involve total expenditure OF not more thah
- 900 900, including the Of Si,2OO00o hereto
fore appropriated and the sum herein appropriated
for said buildings and Improvements
Several enquiries were put to Mr.. Can
non by Mr.. Talbert. Mr.. Fitzgerald OF
New York, and others. Mr.. Cannon SAID
the appropriation was not changed by the
proposed amendment, but that II would
permit the Secretary of the Navy to con-
tract Immediately for the construction OF
the new Academy buildings. Unanimous
consent was asked for the adoption OF the
amendment
The Clerk proceeded with the reading Of
the bill. reading page SO and the section on
the increase of the Navy, when Mr.. Cum
rnings of New York offered an amendment
providing for the construction Of six light
draft gunboats to cost exclusive of arma-
ment. not to exceed 100000 each. In
I Speaking Of his amendment, Mr.. Cummings
said the Secretary Of the Navy, in his re
port. and when he appeared before the
Committee on Naval Affairs had made a
plea for twelve small gunboats. Secretary
Long had said these gunbots OF 800 or
QUO tons we're of great utility, and would
be Of much service in Americas insular
possessions. Mr. Cummings quoted Ad-
miraI Dewey in support OF his contention
that number of small gunboats would be
a valuable adjunct TO the Navy. Mr. Cum
mings thought that if the committee ig-
uored the recommendations OF the Admiral
/ and the Secretary of the Navy the Com
mittee of the Whole should take it up.
| Mr.. Kitchin Of North Carolina thought
| the Navy could do without these gunboats.
| Since the Secretary Of the Navy had asked
| for twelve additional gunboats. seventeen
| Spanish gunboats had been added to the
| Navy. We could. said MIR Kitchin, get
| along very well in time Of peace, and in
/ time Of war what we needed was battle
/ ships and great cruisers that could fight.
Mr. Fitzgerald of Massachusetts offered
/ an amendment to Mr.. Cummings amend
! ment. that the gunboats should be built
under the supervision Of the Secretary Of
the Navy in the Government yards. Mr..
Loudenslager and Mr.. Foes rose to make a
point Of order against Mr.. Fitzgerald s
amendment.
Mr.. Foss was recognized but reserved
his point Of order while Mr.. Fitzgerald ad-
dressed the committee for five minutes on
| the equipment of the Boston Navy Yard
and the facilities possessed by that yard
for building ships. Mr. Fitzgerald then
| withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. Jones of Washington offered as an
| amendment to Mr.. Cummings amendment
that two of the guuboats should be built
r
committee on the shipbuilding facilities OF
the Pacific Coast. citing at some length the
instance of the Oregon. Mr. LoudenslageI
thought that the provisions Of Mr.. Jones
amendment to the amendment were in
cluded in the terms Of the bill as reported
The gentleman from Washington withdrew
his amendment.
Mr. Foss then got the floor in opposition
to the Cummings amendment, using essen
TALLY the same argument put forth by Mr.
! Kitchin that the Navy had secured by
purchase a greater number Of gunboat'
than had been recommended by Secretar!
Long.
Mr.. Pierce Of Missouri supported tn,
amendment. arguing that the boats pur
chased in the Philippines were worthless
He said the proposed craft would pay 70
themselves in two years by relieving tn
large ships Of the Navy Of certain duties
On Il division. the amendment was de
feated by % to rs.
Mr.. Loudenslager offered as an amend
ment that the battleships under uatura
draft should have speed Of nineteen knot
and the cruisers a speed of twenty-five
r knots an hour. The amendment was los
on point Of order made by Mr.. Foss.
Mr. Mahon of Pennsylvania offered a
amendment reducing the number Of battle
ships provided for in the bill from two t
] | one the armored cruisers from three {