New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-02
IN A DEADLOCK ON ARMOR
THE SENATE SENDS THE NAVAL BILL
TO CONFERENCE AGAIN.
MR.. HANNA MAKES HIS FIRST APPEARANCE
AS ROUGH AND TuMBLh
DEBATER.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.1

arA still in obstinate deadlock over the arr1or
plate provisions of the Naval Appropriation BILL
Two other points of disagreement remain I'M
settled-the reduction OF the period or cadetship
from six years to four and the transfer Of ocean
survey work from the Navy to the Coast and
Geodetic Survey Bureau of the Treasury De-
partment But the conferrees of each house are
simply reserving these two differences for trad
ing purposes in securing concessions In the
armor plate struggle. The Senate, following the
lead of the House. to-day authorized Its confer
rees to insist on their previous refusal to waive
the maximum limit set on the price or arrnor
plate The vote was unanimous. but in the de-
bate which preceded the rollcall lively attack
on the attitude taken by the conferrees was
made by Mr. Hanna. of Ohio. who argued Wig
orously in favor Of intrusting to the Secretary
of the Navy discretion to make armor plate pur-
chases at the best obtainable rates. The Ohio
Senator had an animated tilt with Mr.. Tillman,
of South Carolina; Mr.. Allen, of Nebraska. ana
Mr.. Teller. of Colorado, in which he appeared
for the first time in the Senate in the role OF a
rough and tumble political debater His debut
excited no little interest, as Mr. Hanna had never
been seriously suspected by his colleagues OF any
propensity for parliamentary repartee
In reporting the disagreement Mr.. Hale said
there was an absolute deadlock between the
conferrees of the two houses and he expressed
a desire that Senators state their views freely
in order that the Senate conferrees might have
the benefit Of their opinions and suggestions.
Mr.. Tillnlan. of the conferrees, declared
he would rather the bill should fail than that
the Senate should yield to the House.
HANNA DEFENDS ARMOR MAKERS.
Mr.. Hanna, a member of the Committee on
Naval Affairs, said that since his advent into
the Senate he had devoted considerable time to
,Ia+ IIa I,-oa
familiar with manufacturing and had some
knowledge of the arrnor matter from personal
investigation. He was in favor Of the construc-
ton of formidable Navy rapidly as pos
sible and satisfied that the delay in build
ing the Navy now was due to a great extent to
the opposition of the Senators from South Caro-
lima (Mr Tillman) and New-Hampshre (Mr.
Chander) to the payment of a reasonable price
for armore The responsibility for this delay,
said he rests upon those two Senators for put
ting a price below that at which It
could be manufactured by any concern in the
country. and the Senator from South Carolina has
given you the anmus of his opposition when he
said that he would rather see the bill fail than
to any concessions made to the armor COM
pauies." On his responsibility Senator he
was satisfied to say that s445 ton was not
only reasonable but a low price for armor."
Did not the Illinois steel Company inquired
Mr.. Wellington, offer to make the Governments
armor for $500 TONI
Yes, 1t did" replied Mr.. Hanna at know
something about that transaction. 1t was
pure bluff. The company had no idea that it's
offer would be taken seriously" Mr. Hanna
argued that it would be the part of wisdom to
place the matter in the discretion of the Secre-
tary of the Navy. who everywhere and by
everybody regarded as upright and honor
able man. He said that It would be impossible
to construct a suitable armor plant under five
years and then armor would cost perhaps 50
per cent more than it could be procured for from
private concern.
A LIVELY ENCOUNTER WITH TILLMAN
Has the Senator ever read Mr.. Carnegie's
testimony" inquired Mr. Tillman. lin which he
said that he could begin the manufacture of
plate within nine months?"
'Oh. yes" replied Mr. Hanna ''and It may be
said in that connection that MI Carnegie had
everything in readiness for the manufacture Of
the plate at that time"
Well" retorted Mr.. Tillman, when the Sem
ator is reckless in his statements, think 1t
is just as well to call his attention to some
facts"
If I reckless in my statements as is
the Senator from South Carolina. said Mr..
Hanna warmly, Il should feel very badly
about it"
Mr.. Hanna then proceeded to point out that
! 1t would be impossible to get the necessary
| presses for the arnor plate factory under two
| years, they had TO he made on special order,
and he added that 1t impossible to
| make a contract for an engine of 1000 horse
power to be delivered under year and a half
| How does it happen" inquired Mr.. Tillman.
that several steel mills have recently been shut
! down, If that be true?"
The same man who said he could manufact-
steel armor plate at $500 a ton" retorted
Mr. Hanna. CLOSED down the steel mills to in
| fuence the stock market"
| That is the way with men when they be-
come millionaires through the medium of
trusts" returned Mr. Tilman. caustcally.
They all become liars and thieves"
Well " replied Mr.. Hanna calmly. Il hope the
Senator does not mean quite that"
| Oh" said Mr.. Tillinan. Il made the remark
| only as general proposition"
Mr. Hanna was proceeding with his discus
| sion of the manufacture Of arrnor plate. carry
| ing his description from the mines to the
| complete ship, when he was interrupted by Mr..
Allen.
rs the Senator interested in the manufacture
| of armor plate?" he asked.
| Il am not" emphatically replied Mr. Hanna.
Has the Senator manufactured armor
! plate?' pursued Mr.. Allen.
No" replied Mr.. Hanna.
None but political armor plate" suggested
| Mr. Allen sarcastcally.
| A POLITICAL ARMOR MAKER.
None but political armor plate" retorted Mr..
Hanna. turning squarely to Mr.. Allen And
| have found that pretty invulnerable." applause
| and laughter)
! In conclusion Mr. Hanna protested against the
/ making of the armor plate question a personal
matter Il protest" said he, against the state