The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-07
DENOUNCED As ROBBERY
Pain Talk in the Senate About Tie
Armar Pla.e Trust.
Nj. Teller Declares That the Adj
mfnistratiOn Is Under the Thumb
of the Combine md Speaks of Sac
rfficc of National Honor - Hanna
Defends the Republican Party.


The Senate yesterday. by vote of SO to
35 adopted the Penrose amendment to
the Naval Appropriation bill. providing
that 1.-The Secretary of the Navy is au-
thorized to procure by contract armor OF
the best quality for any or all vessels
above referred to. provided such contracts
can be made at price which in his judg-
ment is reasonable and equitable, but in
case he is unable to make contracts for
armor under the above conditions he is
hereby authorized and directed to pro-
cure site for and to erect thereon a
factory for the manufacture of armor, and
the sum Of 100000 is hereby appro-
priated toward the erection of said fac
tory"
The discussion over the bill developed
into a wrangle. Mr.. Teller announced
that the citizens and voters of the United
States now know that the Republican par
ty had sold out to the trusts and had be-
trayed the people.
The old armor plate debate was again
gone over in detail and some bitter per-
sonalities were INDUCED in. Mr.. Teller
made speech charging the Republican
Administration and the Republicans in
the Senate with being under the thumb
of the Armor Plate Trust and that they
were selling the national honor. Mr..
Hanna replied to this and defended his
party. Messrs. Tillman, Quarles, Elkins,
Chandler, and others joined in the dis
cussion and Messrs. T;llman and Hanna
had wordy tilt. Some bitterness was
exhibited and it was announced that the
people of the United States would see to
1t that the Republican party was attended
to during the election.
Conference Report Presented.
Mr.. Hale presented the fifth conference
report On the Naval Appropriation bill.
The section relating to the price of armor
plate was still the bone of contention. the
House demanding that the price be left
to the discretion Of the Secretary of the
Navy.
Mr.. Hale stated that the House was will
ing to make the building of a Government
armcr plant mandatory instead of discre-
tionary, but held to the point that the Sec
Rotary Of the Navy fix the price of armor
He then reported a disagreement on the
armor plate, ocean survey, and length of
term at Annapolis items.
Mr. Penrose then offered the amendment
rs above.
Mr.. Butler stated that he did not want
20 surrender completely to the armor
people.
MIR. Chandler opposed the amendment
and said that 1t was not right to give up
the results of the fve-year investigation
by the Senate, in surrender giving the
Secretary Of the Navy power to pay any
price he pleased. He then referred to Mr..
Hanna's statement that the delay of the
naval vessels was due to Messrs. Chand-
Ter and Tillman.
This is an honor to both of u.s. said
he. knowing as We do that our efforts
we're backed and ratified by the whole
Senate. This will be a ST.. 000, 900 con-
tract. Then why should we lay down to
the ermor combination, and give the Sec
rotary of the Navy power to give this
great sum to the armor plate people. /
am against a surrender to the trust, and
II the Senate upholds the amendment, it
will be plain case of surrender to these
people. 1 hope 1t will be defeated. Let
us stand up equarely and manfully and
fight this out
Mr.. Plat Of Connecticut then spoke in
favor of the amendment. He eviogized
the Secretary of the Navy as an honest
placed in his handg
Mr.. Tillman then went all through the
case madeagainst the Armor Trust by the
Congressional investigating committees.
This contract means 500, GOO to
these armor robbers" Eaid he, land why
should we give it to them?"
They are honest people," said Mr.. Pen
rose. s
Yes, the records show that" said Mr..
Tillman. I'VE must not yield to this
trust. There is no hurry for any of the
naval vessels save three, and We can let
them wait
Mr.. TelIer's Charges.
Mr.. Teller argued in favor of holding to
the $4i5 figure, despite the House amend
ment.
what is making the House stand so
firmly against the people and for the
trust?" he asked.
81 happen to know that II is the armor
plate people and the naval vessel contrac
tors. These lobbyists are boosting up the
House people and prodding them to hold
out for a big price from the Secretary of
the Navy. They won't have anything ex-
cept plain proposition TO rob the Govern
ment- 4
Every man who has heard this debate
for five years ought to be willing to build |
a Government armor plate factory. This |
is an unseemly exhibition every year, and |
IL disgraceful tothe American Congress. No |
wonder the people are beginning.to believe |
that We are in collision with the armor
people with the political pull
Il want to say" began Mr.. Penro.e.
Il don't want to hear the Senator" said |
Mr.. Teller. sharply. His amendment is q
disgraceful thing. and he should be asham-
ed of it. have come to believe that there
Is a strong political backing behind the
Armor Trust. and that II is the Admins
tration which is forcing the Senate to yield
like towards. This is time for plain talk
and"
81 move that the Senate adjourn until -
O'clock" said Mr.. Allison, who was grow |
ing nervous and feared more plain talk like |
that of yesterday.
II want to proceed" said Mr.. Teller
Those in favor Of adjournment will say
ave." said Mr.. Frye.
And the Senate adjourned until noon.
In opening Wednesdays legislative day |
at noon Mr. Hale moved that the Senate |
proceed with the Naval Conference report. |
Mr. Teller then resumed his address,
He argued that the House amendment |
gave the Secretary of the Navy absolute !,
power in the matter and gave him more
than legislative powers. He referred TO
Mr.. Hannas statement that the Govern
ment could not build plant nor operate
IT, and said that this was untrue
"It is the plea OF the combine defender
and the plea of the trust ITSELF" said he
"Certain influences have determined that
the Arnor Trust should get its robbers
price, and know that the American Sem
ate will today surrender to the Inter-