The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-06-02
ARMoR PLATE AND POLITICS.
SHARP DEBATE IN WHICH HANNA
WAS HEARD FROM.

Warm Friend of the Trusts--As
Result of the Disagreement the
Armor Plate Question Goes hack
to Conferencc-ChandIer and Till
man Put in same Category by sen-
ator Hanna.
Washington. June lin the Senate to-
| day Mr.. Hale reported a further disagree-
ment on the naval appropriation bill, and
an exciting discussion arose over thu
armor plate question
A sharp political twist was given TO the
debate by a speech, which Mr.. Hanna Of
| Ohio delivered ir favor of leaving the
whole matter in the hands of the Senate
c. nferees and of comforting discretionary
! power upon the Secretary of the Navy
IN accordance with the House proposition.
He became involved in a controversy with
! Mr.. Tillman of South Carolina and Mr..
Allen of Nebraska over the governments
ability to manufacture armor satisfac-
torily. in the course of which the sparks
/ flew, to the intense interest of the au-
ditors.
Mr.. Teller of Colorado, Mr.. Allen ana
Mr.. Pettigrew of South Dakota replied
90 Mr.. Hanna, all speaking in political
|
| conference.
MIR. Hale in reporting the disagreement
| on the subjects of armor plate, ocean SUR
veys and course of study az the naval
academy, said there was an absolute dead
| lock between the conferees of the two
| houses and expressed desire that sena-
tors state their views freely in order that
the Senate conferees might have the
benefit of their opinions and suggestions.
Mr.. Tillman, enc Of the conferees, de-
c ared he would rather the bill should fail
than that the Senate should yield to the
| House proposition.
Mr.. Hanna of Ohio, a member OF the
Committee Naval Affairs, said that
since his advent into the Senate he had
devoted considerable time to a study OF
the armor plate question. He was in fa-
vor of the construction OF formidable
navy as rapidly as possible, and was sat-
| isfied that the delay in the navy's build-
ing now was due to a great extent to the
| opposition OF the senators from South
| Carolina CTillman) and New Hampshire
(ChandleD to the payment of a reasonable
| price for armor.
"The responsibility for this delay" said
he, rests upon those two senator's for
| placing the price of armor below that
| which 1t could be manufactured for by
| any concern in the country and the sem
.ator from South Carolina has givon you
the aniinus of his opposition when he said
| that he would rather see the bin fail than
to see any concessions made to the ar
NOR companies
On his responsibility as a senator he
was satisfied to say that $a45 per ton was
not only a reasonable, but low price for
| armor.
Hanna VS.. TilImnn.
Further along Mr.. Hanna argued that
| 1t would be the part OF wisdom TO place
the matter within the discretion OF the
| Secretary Of the Navy, and said no ar
NOR plant could be constructed under Ave
years that could supply the governmenr
| with suitable armor. and then IL would
cost perhaps 80 per cent. more than ir
could be procured for from private con-
Germ. To get the necessary presses would
| require two years.
How does II happen" inquired Mr..
| Tillman that several steel mills have
recently been shut down, if that be true?"
The same man who said he could mans
| ufacture steel armor plate at $500 per ton,'
| retorted Mr.. Hanna, CLOSED down the
steel mills 10 influence the stock market"
| THAT is the way with men when they
| become millionaires through the medium
| of trusts" returned Mr.. Tiilman, causti-
| cally. "They all become liars and thieves"
| Mr.. Hanna was then proceeding with
his discussion OF the manufacture cf
| armor plate, carrying his description
from the ore mines to the completed ship.
| Answering queries of Mr.. Allen of Nebras-
| ka, Mr.. Hanna said he had never been
interested in armor plate manufacture
"Nor political armor platter" retorteA
| Mr.. Allen, sarcastically.
| None but political armor plate" retort-
ed Mr.. Hanna, turning squarely to Mr..
| Allen. And ! have found that pretty
invulnerable." applause and laughter)
| Mr.. Hanna was willing to trust the
| whole subject 10 the Senate conferees,
who had behind them an undoubted ma
jority OF the Senate.
Mr.. Elkins of West Virginia, contended
that the proper way to dispose of the mat
ter, was to leave II TO the secretary. Tho
secretary could be trusted. but 1t might
be well 40 fix a limit OF price.
h Friends of the Trusts.
Mr.. Allen said this discussion had
brought out the fact that the friends of
the trusts were in the saddle. No previous
discussion had been sufficient TO bring
Mr.. Hanna or Mr.. Eikns to the front,
| but the moment that we attack one OF
these trusts that are preparing 20 rob
the country of millions of dollars" ne
said, "they appear here as advocates OF
this great octopus, and undertake to per-,
| suade the Senate that the government
should not manufacture armot plate. but
that It should stand up and allow itself
TO be riied.'
Mr.. Teller said that when the chief rep
| resentative of the Republican party as
| he regarded Mr.. Hanna, came here as the
| champion OF the combinations, he felt that
he was justified In saying that the Re-
publicans expect to repeat this year the
I, tactics OF 1896, which consisted in levying
assessments upon every manufacturing in
| sttution In the country.
This assertion brought Mr.. Hanna 10 his
/ feet. II deny the statement" he said,
/ st Is not true"
1T expected the denial" responded Mr..
| Teller. Technically the charge may not
| be true, but substantially II is. 1t is no.
| torious that the national banks were all
assessed. Even the banks of Colorado
| were notified that they were expected 10
/ make contributions for the election OF the
| Republican ticket"
| Mr. Hanna: 1.-THE First National Bank
| of Denver was the recipient of all the
| contributions for the Democratic campaign
| fund, and its president was the solicitor
| general for them"