The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-21
THE NAVAL BILL DELAYED
Republicans Unable 20 Keen I
Quorum Present in the HoCse

cans to maintain a quorum in the hall
the House yesterday was prevented from
passing the Naval Appropriation bill. aite
having completed its consideration IL
the Committee of the Whole. The cnl,
matters that excited attention were tn,
provisions regarding the increase of tn,
Navy and the purchase of armor plate
Upon the former, no change was made
although Mr.. Cummings of New York en-.
deavored to secure an amendment author
izing the construction of six composite
light draft gunboats of about 900 tons
each. Efforts to reduce the number Of
battleships and cruisers carried in the
bill were also unayailing
The armor plate matter developed much
controversy and some friction. The COM
mittee had recommended the purchase oil
plate at cost of s545 ton the bill fol-
, the present year making the maximum
! price TO be paid $500. Chairman Payne, in
| the Committee of the Whole, ruled that
this was change OF existing law, and tae
! words five hundred and forty-five" went
! out of the bill. The managers of the bill,
/ however, said. after adjournment, that
! they were well satisfied with the situa-
| ton. for as left the bill makes provision
! as follows:
That the Secretary of the Navy is
| hereby authorized to procure by contract
armor of the best quality for the battle
ships Maine, Ohio, and Missouri at cost
not TO exceed - dollars a ton OF tMv...s,
two hundred and forty pounds, including
royalties"
An amendment offered by Mr.. Vandiver
of Missouri, member of the Committee
on Naval Affairs authorizing the construc-
ton of an armor plate plant by the Sec
rotary of the Navy, was rejected on point
of order as new legislation. In this con-
nection, the Chair became engaged in a
controversy with Mr.. Underwood over bis
right to speak without limit on a point
of order. When the bill got into the
House Mr.. Underwood prevented final &C.
ton on it by demanding a separate vote
on each amendment. An hours ineffective
effort TO do business ended at $50 o'clock,
when Mr. Foss of Illinois, in charge OF the
bill moved to adjourn.
The House, in Committee Of the Whole.
resumed consideration of the bill at l2:45
o'clock. Mr.. Payne OF New York took the
chair and the Clerk proceeded with the
reading OF the bill. beginning at the sec
ton relating TO the Naval Academy. Mr..
Cannon sent to the Clerks desk an amend
ment changing the phraseology of the
substitute adopted on Thursday, which
follows:
Bulldogs and grounds, Naval Academy: To-
ward the construction at the Naval Academy, An
napol:s Md, of a suitable building for use as
cadet quarters $3.50, coo, provided that before any
part of It's is expended plans shall be pre-
pared and approved by the Secretary of the Navy
covering all contemplated new buildings and i'm
provemeEts at the Naval Academy, which plans
shall involve total expenditure OF not more than
S60 ,00o including the OF Sl,2o0,000 hereto
fore appropriated and the sum herein appropriated
for saic buildings and improvements.
Several enquiries were put TO Mr.. Can
non by Mr.. Talbert. Mr.. Fitzgerald of
New York, and others. Mr.. Cannon said
the appropriation was not changed by the
proposed amendment, but that 1t would
permit the Secretary of the Navy to con-
tract Immediately for the construction of
the new Academy buildings. Unanimous
consent was asked for the adoption of the
The Clerk proceeded with the reading of |
the bill, reading page 60 and the section on
the increase of the Navy. when Mr.. Cum !
mings Of New York offered an amendment
providing for the construction of six light /
draft gunboats. to cost exclusive of arma- |
ment. not to exceed $3.50 600 each. In |
speaking of his amendment Mr.. Cummings |
said the Secretary of the Navy, in his re-
port, and when he appeared before the /
Committee on Naval Affairs. had made a !
plea for twelve small gunboats. Secretary
Long had said these gunbots of 900 or
!, 600 tons were of great utility, and would
be of much service in Americas insular
Mr.. Cummings quoted Ad-
niral Dewey in support OF his contention
hat number of small gunboats would be
valuable adjunct to the Navy Mr.. Cum
nings thought that if the committee ig-
lored the recommendations of the Admiral
md the Secretary of the Navy, the Com
nittee of the Whole should take it up
Mr. Kitchin of North Carolina thought
he Navy could do without these gunboats
Since the Secretary of the Navy had asked
or twelve additional gunboats. seventeen
Spanish gunboats had been added to the
Navy. We could. said MIR. Kitchin. get
long very well in time of peace. and in
line of war what we needed was battle
hips ard great cruisers that could fight.
Mr.. Fitzgerald of Massachusetts offered
IN amendment to Mr.. Cummings amend
nent that the gunboats should be built
lnder the supervision OF the Secretary of
he Navy in the Government yards. Mr..
4oudenslager and Mr.. Foss rose to make a
'oint of order against Mr. Fitzgerald's
mendment.
Mr.. FOss was recognized, but reserved
lis point of order while Mr.. Fitzgerald ad-
ressed the committee for five minutes on
he equipment of the Boston Navy Yard
nd the facilities possessed by that ward
or building ships. Mr. Fitzgerald then
withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. Jones of Washington offered as an
mendment to Mr.. Cummings amendment
hat two of the gunboats should be built
n the Pacific Coast. He addressed the
ommittee on the shipbuilding facilities of
he Pacific Coast, citing at some length the !
Instance of the Oregon. Mr.. Loudenslager
bought that the provisions of Mr.. Jones
mendment to the amendment were in
luded in the terms of the bill as reported
he gentleman from Washington withdrew ,,
is amendment.
Mr. Foss then got the floor in opposition
D the Cummings amendment using essen
tally the same argument put forth by Mr.
Itchin that the Navy had secured by
urchase greater number of gunboats
han had been recommended by Secretary !
.ong.
Mr. Pierce of Missouri supported the
mendment arguing that the boats pur-
hased in the Philippines were worthless.
lie said the proposed craft would pay for
themselves in two years by relieving the
irge ships of the Navy of certain duties.
On division. the amendment was de- ,
Gated by % to rs.
Mr.. Loudenslager offered as an amend ,
lent that the battleships under natural
raft should have speed of nineteen knots
nd the cruisers a speed of twenty-three $
nots an hour. The amendment was lost
u a point of order made by Mr.. Foss.
Mr.. Mahon of Pennsylvania offered an I
reducing the number of battle /
hips provided for in the bill from two 10 .
ne. the armored cruisers from three to ,