The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-05-17
The House.

WuSulnHt teu, Mdy - SuihS AaSet''
almost startling in their Importance,
were laid before the senate yesterday
in secret executive session at the con-
clrslon OF the regular open session.
They related, it is understood, to the
Invention Of shell by prominent
officer of the United States navy, a
shell superior In every essential quail
ity to any row in use either by this Oh
by any other government. The quail
ty Of penetration possessed by the
shell Is said to be 50 great that no
armor now manufactured in the Unit,
ed States or abroad has sufficient re.
sistance to withstand it. The facts.
which were in possession of only a
few senators were deemed so impor-
tant that the senate decided to con.
slider them in secret session. Sester-
day after the naval bill had been laid
aside for the day Nj. Tillman asked
for q secret session In that he might
explain to the senate why he desired
the armor plate matter to be discussed
in secret. When the doors were closed
he explained that he had been in
formed that Admiral O'Neill, chief OF
the bureau Of ordnance, had been con-
ducting series of tests with armor
plate. at Indian, Head, the results Of
| which were very remarkable. He said
tests of all sorts of armor. including
the lSrupp arinor, had been made with
4 view OF discovering their effective
ness against q new shell which had
been invented by an officer OF the
navy. No piece Of armor submitted TO
the test. 1t Is understood, was able to
withstand the test. The shell which
was so effective was not described. ln-
dned the navy department is guarding
iealously all details concerning it's con-
structon. The argument OF Mr..
Tillman is that with such projectlle,
the details Of which would sooner or
later will become known to the ou--
side world. it would not be the part Of
wisdom for congress to enter into con.
tracts to purchase the high-priced
armor unless 1t could be so improved
as to resist projectiles of the kind used
Mt Indian Head.
The Senate. -
Washington, May The senate yes
terday completed consideration Of the
naval appropriation bill with the ex-
ception Of that section relating to ar
NOR and armament. This went over
for a day, when it will be considered
In secret session. During the morning
hour number Of minor bills were
passed, among them one to reimburse
various collectors OF internal revenue
for internal revenue stamps charged
against them but not accounted for.
The debate on the naval bill was prac-
t1tn rxag ag.strv nrxt. mr.
yiding for the commission OF naval
cadets. The committees amendment
striking out the provision in the house
bill which provides for commissioning
cadets after four-year terms In the
naval academy, abolishing the two.
year preliminary at sea, was carried
after some debate. -.
The House. --
The house devoted most Of the day
TO the consideration OF private bills
recommended from the committee Oh
claims. and ten bills were passed. The
most important was one to remit the
penalties imposed by the government
on the Union Iron Works Of San Frau
cisco, the builders Of the monitor
Monterey, for her failure to make con-
tract speed Before the consideration
of these bills was entered upon the
house overruled the action Of the ways
and means committee in reporting
against a resolution calling upon the
secretary Of the treasury for informa-
tion regarding the materials used in
che manufacture Of oleomargarine,
which is on file in the internal reve-
nue. office. The majority Of the COM
mittee contended that this information
could not be furnished under the re-
vised statutes and that it would be-
tray trade secrets. but the resolution
was adopted. This is preliminary TO
the opening of the fight for the Grout
bill In the committee on agriculture.