The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-27
IL is quite clear that his vice presiden-
tai views are decidedly hostile to David
Bennett Hill.
Cummings and Armor Plate.

| great deal is being said by Demo-
cratic newspapers as TO the alleged Re
| publican surrender to the armor plate
trust. in that, in the passage OF the
naval appropriation bill, with Its pro-
vision for the building of ships urgently
needed for the navy, no limitation was
placed upon the power OF the secretary
of the navy to purchase the armor plate
necessary for those vessels. 1t is more
than likely that the Democratic ma
tional platform will contain some allu-
sion to this subject. in the usual de-
mandatory vein; following some of the
| state platforms adopted. 1t is refresh
| ing to find that there are Democrats
| of prominence who place patriotism
! above party, and who look with alb
! horrence on the attempt to make cap
ital out Of perfectly proper and nee
essary action OF congress, taken with
view to provide for the necessities of
the country and to protect its interests.
No one can question the Democracy
of Representative Amos ]. Cummings.
OF New York. although that gentleman
has repeatedly refused to be a party to
partisan attempts to embarrass the adj
ministration in matters in which the
honor and welfare OF the whole coun-
try were involved. Mr. Cummings, in
a recent interview. published in the
Na,
armor plate matter. and the following
are some of his views on the subject:
THE people of the United States can
hardly realize the Importance of the
naval appropriation bill just signed by the
president. First In Importance is the
armor plate question which has definitely
been settled. For four years congress
has been answering the great popular
demand for an increased navy by author
izing the building OF ships and then re-
fusing to provide for their construction
upon the ground that the armor plate
manufacturers wanted too much per ton
for their armor. This action was taken
despite the fact that the manufacturers
were ready to furnish the Krupp plate at
much lower rate per ton than had been
paid by any other government. Congress
went so far as to put the limit at $500
per ton. although the lowest rate ever
paid was that paid by the Russian gov
eminent under tho contract with the
Cramps at $565 per ton. Japan has paid
as much as 800 per ton. l am glad that
the question has been settled for all time
At the beginning Of the controversy we
had more battleships and cruisers author
lied and under construction than we had
afloat on the ocean. / am, satisfied that
the work upon these seventeen vessels
will be begun Immediately and that they
will be finished as rapidly as possible. 1t
Will take seven or eight years, IL not
more, to complete them even as II H.
1t is exceedingly gratifying to know that
our navy at the end of ten years. even
without the authorization of another ves-
sell will equal what the German emperor
is striving TO accomplish within fifteen
years.
"All I want Is that the reconstruction
and increase of the United States navy,
begun under such favorable auspices by
Secretary Chandler and Secretary Whit
ney and continued under Secretaries
Tracy. Herbert and Long, be persistently
continued until the American navy be-
comes worthy of the American nation,
Even as it is, its prowess has already
been recognized by the nations OF the
earth who appreciate its strength and
its worth, and no longer evince a DISPOSE
ton 20 encroach upon our rights and
prerogatives, l have been an ardent adj
vocate of the increase OF the navy ever
since I have been in congress. and GER
tainiy have no inclination to swerve at
this hour. The people not only want but
demand powerful navy and as long as
am In public life intend TO voice that
demand. Money spent for this purpose
Is money well spent. strong navy Is
practically a guarantee of peace"
The opinions of such an earnest
friend of the navy as Mr.. Cummings
are certainly entitled TO more weight
on the subject Of the armor plate con-
tracts than the mere partisan mouth
ings Of such men as Lentz and Sulzer,
who approached each question which
came up in the last session OF congress
with the sole idea of extracting there
from as much partisan capital as posi-
bic.