The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-21
WAS CUT OUT OF THE BILL.
PROVISION FOR BUYING ARHTOR
PLATE AT $545.

The Amendment to Repeal the $500
Limit Was Also Thrown Out on
Point of Order-R etaIintion of Mi
nority for Not Being Permitted TO
Discuss Government Plant Cues
tiOn-DiRerence of Opinion as to
What Effect This VIII Have.
Washington, April 20-As a result of
protracted struggle in the House to-day
the provision of the naval appropriation
bill to enable the Secretary of the Navy
ton contract for armor for the battleships
Maine, Ohio and Missouri, now awaiting
their armor equipment, at $545 per ton.
the price asked for Krupp armor, is out
of the bill, as is the provision to repeal
the $500 limitation placed upon the price
of armor by the current law.
The fight came at the end of the consid-
Grafton Of the bill. Although the provis-
ion was obnoxious GO the rule. all the mi
nority members of the committee had
agreed to 1t, but to-day when the ma
jority declined to allow the discussion of
a proposition for the establishment of a
government armor plate factory, they re-
taIated by raising point of order against
the two provisions above referred to and
they were ruled out.
The exact effect of the acton Of the
House to-day is disputed. The approp:ia-
ton of "a, 900 900 under the head of "armor
and armament remains in the bill, as well
as the langua ge of the provision authoriz-
ing the Secretary of the Navy to contract
for armor of the best quality for the
Eatr, bO fr-.1-
stricken out being Eat a cost not TO ex-
coed s545 a ton including royalties"
1t is contended by some that this empow-
ers the secretary to contract for the armor
without regard to cost By others it Is
claimed that the provision will be ineffec-
tive unless the Senate inserts The price.
So much bad feeling was aroused by the
wrangle over the arnor plate provision
that Mr.. Underwood of Alabama, began a
filibuster after the bill was report ed to
the house and finally forced an adjourn
nent without final action on the bill.
Two Amendments Lost
Before the armor plate question came up
two amendments to modify the provision
for the increase of the navy, which au-
thorizes two batteships and six cruisers,
were defeated. one proposed to add
provision for six gunboats and the other
to strike out the provision for the battle
ships.
The question of building ships in govern
ment wards did not reach a vote. as the
amendment offered TO this end was ruled
out on a point of order. 1t was the regu-
lar war claims day, but the Naval Com
mittee by a vote of 100 TO 81, won its point
to proceed with It's bill.
Mr. Cannon. chairman of the Appropria-
lions Committee, asked unanimous consent
for a modifica tion of the language of the
amendment adopted yesterday relative 10
the naval academy. The proposed modih-
cation made only one substantial change
In The amendment, authorizing the Secre-
tary of the Navy, after the plans have
been approved, TO contract for all or part
Of the improvements at Annapolis within
the s6.OO0.0OO limit. The amendment was
agreed to-
An amendment was agreed to providing
that the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance
should not be below the rank of Lieutenant
commander.
Mr.. Fitzgerald of New York offered
an amendment TO build four Of the ships
authorized by the bill in government
yards.
Mr.. Foss raised a point of order against
the amendment, which, after prolonged
debate. was sustained.
Mr. Fitzgerald then appealed from the
decision and the Chair was sustained, 81
10 "A.
For n Government Plant.
Mr.. Vandiyer, a member OF the commit
tee. offered an amendment to appropriate
e. O0OOo0 for the erection Of . government
armor plate factory and for ire appoint