The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-10

in the contingency that arrnor could NOT
pc procured for $445 per ton. No action
was taken on the proposition, the bill go
ing over until tomorrow.
secret Session Leaked.
Mr. Hale called up the naval appropria-
tfon bill In statement he said that
when the Dill was last under consideration
sion.
In view of present conditions. refer
ring evidently TO the publication today Of
II 70 the senator from South Carolina
tTtllmani whether he deems II wise or
otherwise TO proceed with the measure
in secret session"
Remembering what occurred in the
senate during the secret session yester-
day Tillman replied "and what APP
peared IN the newspapers this morning I
am persuaded 1t would he almost Inn
possible to prevent the newspapers from,
getting the information, although they
did publish more than occurred in the
Vest-I think the senate would better
go into secret session.
Tillman-I hope. the senator win per-
nit me TO complete my observations
Vest-l make the motion for a secret
session. The senator's remarks are prov
ing the accuracy Of newspaper reports.
Chandler seconded Vests motion and
at 20 the senate doors were closed
AT O'Clock the senate resumed business
In open session. consideration of the naval
Dill being resumed. The pending ques-
ton was upon the committee amendment
TO the house bin with respect to armor
for war vessels.
Tiiimnn Offers nm Amendment.
Tillman offered an amendment in effect
limiting the price to be paid for armor
to $500 per ton, and II II could not be pro-
cured for that price authorizing the sec
rotary OF the navy to construct a govern
s40c0.000.
Hale Explains the Amendment.
Hale. in charge of the bill. explained the
committee amendment. He said the com
mittee had sought to relieve the country
from the embarrassment that was irk-
some to almost everybody.
Right in the midst of our remarkable
advance in the construction of naval
ships" said Hale. I'VE We're arrested by
this controversy over the price OF armor
plate believe the armor plants put
their heads together and put up prices
of armor. OF course this created resent
ment. and | am not surprised at the
action and feeling of the senator from
South Carolina fTillman). who is acting
entirely conscientiously I'm the matter"
Hale said that for the arnlor of 1887,
Al2 per ton was paid.
AS IL was SEEN" continued Hale, that
we had ships which needed armor, the
companies raised their price to Ssi5 per
ton" Hale said that IL was the opinion
of the committee that the government
could get better armor from private con-
Germs than II could make itself, and avoid
any OF the possible attendant scandals.
Still, IL the companies declined TO accept
s445 ton, a government plant for the
Manufacture OF armor was to be con-
manufacturers found that the govern
ment was in earnest as to the plant they
would accept the price offered.
Have the armor makers taken advant-
age of the governments necessity" in
quired Stewart.
Undoubtedly they have" responded
Hale. AS soon they get upon their
feet financially they began TO put the
knife to US
Then declared Stewart. IRA make
a good deal of sacrifice TO teach them
lesson.
TiIIman's views on II.
Tillman who followed Hale said IL the
price asked by the manufacturers were
paid. II would cost the government si1.-
0Oo.0e0 while at the price he proposed the
necessary armor would cost only about
100000. His proposition was TO build
an armor plant no matter at which price
the manufacturers proposed TO supply
the armor
the new process armor was one whit bet
ter than the old kind. A nine-inch new
process arrnor plate had been easily pene-
irated and who could say that four
teen-ineh plate would no, suffer similarly.
Hale interrupted TO state that the only
significance % the recent experiments
was TO show that the best proJectile will
pierce anything. but that the new pro-
cess armuT has an impenetrability of 3
per cent. greater than any other. The
cap projectiIes went through the nine
inch and even the eleVen-inch plates as
though they had been pine boards.
Perkins Joined with Hale and Tillman
In an animated discussion OF patriotism
IN connection with the proposal for a gov
eminent armor factory.
stewart Favors u Government Piaat.
Stewart said the government should not