The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-30
THE PORTO RICAN TARIFF
Direct Vote in the Senate to Strike it
From the Bill Defeated.
BEVERlDGE SPEAKS FOR FREE TRADE
But Declares That He viii Support The Bill.
Democrats Fight The Provision by Which
Porto Ricans Receive Only 60
Cents For The Peso.
(By the Associated Press

Washington, March 29.-After four
days OF stormy debate the House today
passed the Army Appropriation Bill AS
passed the bill is only slightly modified
from the form in which it came from the
committee. One Of the last amendments
adopted opens the Soldiers Homes to the
officers and men of the volunteer and
regular armies incapacitated by service
during or since the Spanish War. The
chief incident OF the day was a defense
of the War Department by Mr.. Parker
IN j.. against the charge of reckless
extravaganza in the fitting up of the
transport Sumner made by Mr.. briggs,
Of New York. yesterday.
Mr. McRae Dem, Ark), moved to
strike from the provision for the manu-
facture or purchase" of small arm ammu-
milton the words 'or purchase" he de-
clared that the Government had ample
facility for the manufacture of ammuni-
tion. Mr.. Hull vigorously opposed the
amendment. 1t might be necessary to
purchase ammunition and the hands OF
the Government should not be tied He
called attention to cur helpless condition
for lack of apmuniton at the opening
OF the Spanish War and said he favored
the accumulation of munitions of war.
Mr.. Underwood (AlaD, favored the
amendment. He was opposed TO placing
discretionary power to purchase in the
hands of the War Department. He was
inclined to think 1t led to extravaganza
and jobbery, and called the attention OF
the House to the facts elected yester-
day regarding the transport Sumner. This
reference to the Sumner aroused Mr.
Parker, who detailed the history of the
vessel, which, he said, had been wildly
distorted.
He said the Sumner was an old collier
refitted and produced itemized figures
from the War Department to prove that
there was no undue extravaganza. The
alleged solid silver service which Mr..
briggs said yesterday cost $4,000 was
plated ware and cost all told but $1,000
The amendment was lost
| The provision for firing morning and
evening gun at State Soldiers and Sailors
Homes went out on point OF order, made
| by Mr.. McRae (Ark).
| This completed the bill and the COM
mittee then went back to several points
temporarily passed over during the read
| ing of the measure.
An amendment was adopted changing
| the eligibility for admission to soldiers
| homes so as to admit all volunteer and
| regular soldiers incapacitated since the
outbreak of the Spanish War. An amend
| ment was adopted to give to officers and
| men of the volunteer army who did not
receive extra pay when mustered out one
months pay If they served within the
| United States and two months pay IL they
served beyond the limits of the United
| States.
Without further amendment the bill
| was passed.
| The resolution unanimously reported
| from Committee on Elections No. in the
contested election case of White VS.. Bore
| ing from the Eleventh Kentucky district.
| confirming Mr.. Boreing title to his seat
was adopted without division. Both the
contestant and the contestee are Repub-
| lcans
| At 4:25 p. m. the House adjourned.