New-York tribune., 1900-04-17
NAVAL BILL DISCUSSED.
A HOT FIGHT BEGUN OVER THE PRICE
OF ARMOR.
GBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRiBUNEI
Washington April ls-The House of Representa-
tives took up the Naval Appropriation Dill to-day
with the prospect of a severe struggle ahead over
the questions Of plate. building ships IN
Government yards and the provision for the coast
and Geodetic Survey. The bill carries $4,000 90
more than any previous naval bill No arrange
ment could be reached limit general debate. The
growth of naval expenditures Is naturally inter
twined with the policies which have fostered terri
toral expansion. and the different points OF view
OF the two political parties are fairly reflected IN
their attitude toward measure which proposes
so striking increase in the Nations permanent
expenditures for naval purposes In Chairman
Boutele's absence Mr. Foss, Of Illinois the ranking
member of the Committee on Naval Affairs as
sumed parliamentary charge Of the bill. and the
Industry and intelligence which he has brought 20
the temporary direction OF the committees work
were clearly shown in the admirable speech he
made explaining and defending its programme OF
an ampler naval establishment.
Mr.. FOSS EXPLAINS THE BILL"
In beginning his speech Mr.. Foss paid tribute TO
Mr.. Boutelle whose illness has prevented him from
attending the House since the Christ
holidays NO in Congress" said he, has
wider knowledge the subject OF naval affairs than
Charles Addison Boutelle. No man has been more
active and more devoted the task OF building UP
Navy that would inspire confidence at home and
respect abroad than Mr.. BouteIle He was chair
of the Committee on Naval Affairs OF the
List LIVth and LVth Congresses. as we'll as OF this
Congress- and such demonstrated his great abil-
lty and wise craftsmanship in bringing the Navy
70 that point where It was able successfully TO
combat with the forces of Spain in recent war.
Too much honor and credit cannot be given 70 him.
l know that voice the expression OF both sides
OF this cha nber when l say that wish him
speedy recovery and early return"
LARGEST NAVAL BILL EVER KNOWN.
The bill. Mr. Foss explained. carried total ap-
preparation of s6 2oOGOo the largest Naval Appro-
priatlon bill ever reported TO an American Congress
After explaining the items in the oil Mr. Foss
said
We are building Navy Cor peace; are build
uomaI CONCORD we are BUILDING II in order that the
Is ass assaiied American raor will defend it. That
ha,9h eas which is armed and ready 10 tight is the
sea'e ea Re is strong and efficient Navy
strength OF, great nation We are building ''l
oHyyo to oatn martan our foregn policy to defend the
Tagua Cana! which. trust, will never be built
ability. to defend it in time Of war. While protec
tion to ourselves was the watchword of the last
coming. We will not only continue 10 build our own
hands but at the same time We viii build. as Se
RaSe been building recently, ships for Japan and
supply Of iron and steel in other countries We will
Germany and the other g great naVa o. poTers en
MI MI not embark in commercial enterprises beyond
mas 6ne "a ability TO- ProteSt them in port and
SShaptman n, goes to foreign ports she will go there
nmacxed, pa II necessary, by an American nan-of-war
OF the most favored nations The American Nav
VIII thus play an important part i'm SECURING oI1r
commercial supremacy
The American battleship would also play, he
said not inconsiderable part in the civilization
OF the flipinos. The American schooma' m with
Her speihng book may enlighten the mind" he said;
the American missionary with his Bible NAV
soiteh the heart; the commercial traveller may
teach them the laws of trade but they recognize no
virtue unless accompanied by force. and the Ameri-
can nattleship anchored in the harbor of Manila
VIII do more than anything else to teach them
that liberty Is not license. hut that liberty is
liberty under law. respect for order and reverence
for Justice"
THE ARMOR PLATE CONTROVERSY
Mr. Foss said that as to armor for all the ships
except the Maine. the Wisconsin and the Missouri.
the committee had decided to leave the whole
question to the House. The committee deemed IL
unwise TO recommend the stablishnent Of a Cow
eminent armOr plate factory. He quoted Admiral
oNeirs opinion that such establishment would
cost aSI2OCO. and said he did believe the Gov
ernmcnt should manufacture It's armor plate
Mr. Underwood, of Alabama. asked il Mr. Foss
would permit the House TO on the direct cues
tion of establishing plate factory
Il shall be moved largely" replied Mr. Foss ..by
the considerations which arise when the amend
ment Is presented"
The gentleman realizes" Observed Mr. Hinder
wood that such an amendment can be thrown
out a point OF order"
Mr. Foss said the committee had been largely
moved in deciding against the building of ships in
Government yards by the opinion Of Secretary
Long that it would cost twi"e as much as in pri-
yards
Mr. Cummings. of New-York the ranking minor
ity member of the committee delivered a euloe,, ~
the American Navy. the victories of which bo5
oeen decisive in the War of 1872 the Mexican War
the Civil War and the recent war with Spain
The Navy was vital 10 the United States as 70
all other maritime nations The people in all
sections or the country recognized H. And what
was being done, he asked Three battIeshfps vera
on the stocks without armor. Three were author
ized with string attached. They were not even
to be contracted for unless the arraor couId ba
more. Was a string be attached To thato 7,
would De like voting for declaration of war and
then refusing to provide ammunition ~
Rdgey. Of Kansas why not make GkaPuP9gd 6Gr oMn MT
armor? Wv"
Rotten armor plate!" exclaimed Mr. CUMMINGS
indignantly. You paid $500 ton for it after /
months in yonder committee room night and 'ee ARE
taking testimony, investigating the subject and
But it buried in the Senate IL is Tine tbst
tne country should understand that the lives of oir
of this House and the Senate The men who foIs6t
MIN VII. peWey are entitled to the best protection
mat can be gwen, especially as they longer
Why not make our own platter" persisted
The same, old story replied Mr. Cummings
authorize ships. and then instead of building
years" " e'sH'
Not the Krupp armor The Kfnpp aTmor bss
seven treatments and is tested by our own ex-
have done our duty by the behind the guns" "
Continuing. Mr.. Cummings caused a burst OF an
Army and Navy in the Philippines as long as a
single single. rebel dehed the authority OF the United
added, II In favor of treating them as we pro
P9Se &3i, 10 treat @ Cuoa on the whole. think the