The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-02
BITTERNESS IN DEBATE
lain Talk in the Senate OH the
ArmOr Plate Question.
Mr. Hanna's Defence of the Mnnnfnc-
turcrs Replied to With Warmth
MIR. TilImnn Refers to MillioEnires
rs Liars md Thicvcs-TrCsts and
the Republican Campaign Fund.

contracts in the Senate yesterday, speech
by Mr.. Hanna in defence of the armor
manufacturers brought about one Of the
bitterest arguments held in that body this
session. Mr.. Tillman inferred that Mr..
Hanna was "a liar and thief in line
with all millionaires who had made money
by fraud. while Messrs. Teller, Pettigrew,
and Allen scored the Administration, and
referred 10 the Senator from Ohio as an
agent of the Armor Trust.
The debate was brought about by the
presentation for the fourth time OF the
conference report on the Naval Appropria-
ton bill. which was again disagreed to
and sent back to conference. The armos
plate item was discussed generally, and
Mr. Hanna, in the longest speech made by
him since becoming a member OF the Sem
ate, defended the armor plate makers, and
for three hours resented the attacks made
on the Administration.
Mr.. Allen accused Mr. Hanna of being the
agent of the Ar;nor Trust in the Senate.
Mr. Teller charged that the "chief repre-
sentative of the Republican party in the
United States dared TO get up in the Sen
ate and defend trusts. that he might the
more easily levy contributions in the COM
ing campaign. He also stated that if the
people knew the truth about the doings OF
the present Administration they would
0verturn il in one hour.
Mr. Pettigrew declared that Mr.. Hanna
was trying 10 pay back the 100000 col
lected from the Bethlehem Steel Company
in the last campaign, by means of con-
tracts made at robber prices.
When the conference report was present
ed Mr. Hale moved that the House amend
ments be disagreed to and that the bill go
h.. ;,,,o III
sorrow at the delay, but assured the Sen
ate that he would never surrender to
proposition which would place the power
of regulating the price of armor plate in
the hanGs of the Secretary of the Navy
and which would be a complete surrender
TO the Armor Trust.
MIR. Teller's Position.
Mr.. Teller said he would rather see every
ship in the Navy rot than have the Gov
eminent held by the threat by trust. He
said he would demand vote to see wheth-
er or not the Senate would surrender to
the trust.
That's what / want said Mr. Hale.
Mr.. Plat of Connecticut argued in favor
of giving the Secretary of the Navy the
power to regulate the price and to pay the
arnor people what they wanted so that the
naval vessels could be completed.
Mr.. Foraker said he had been against
reduction before, but was now in favor OF
reducing the price from S545 per ton II $500
per ton, and of at once building a Govern
ment armor plate factory.
Messrs. Tillman, Butler, and Teller ar
gued in favor of Government armor
plate factory.
Mr.. Chandler opposed giving the Secre-
tary of the Navy unlimited power. He
would probably pay $500 per ton," said he,
If the trust demanded it and he wanted
TO complete his ships. 1t would be the
most foolish thing We could do. Let us
get the bill back in the Senate and reduce
the number of ships or cut all of the ships
out until We can get our own plant"
How do you know that the price is ex-
tortionate?" asked Mr.. Scott
Because / have studied this subject
for six years." said Mr. Chandler, land
the Senator from West Virginia hasn't |
studied il five minutes
We can't fool with this much longer"
continued Mr.. Chandler. If the Congress |
OF the United States is too cowardly to fix |
the price Of armor, ! want to wash my |
hands of the whole matter
Il am willing to vote for a Government |
arrnor plant" said Mr.. Lodge. but / want |
our ships TO be built while we are building |
the plant"
Mr. Hale then explained that the confer |
ees could not agree on the question of |
ocean surveys and that this should be at
tended to.
Mr. Scott praised the armor plate max
ers, saying they were not as black as they
were painted.
Mr. Tillman said that the armor people
were q set of rascals and no man could
very well say good thing for them.
They have sold us blow holes,' he said,
land put the knife into US, and yet some
Senators stand up and try to uphold
them"
Mr.. Hanna then arose and made a speech
In defence Of the armor plate manu-
facturers.
Il have listened to this discussion for
long time said he land 1 know what
/ am talking about / have been inter-
ested in manufacturing and am not speak
ing from hearsay.
Now, / want TO say that the wrongdo-
ers in the Senate are the Senator from
South Carolina, and those who are holding
our ships back because of animus"
Here Mr.. Hanna forcibly banged his desk
and glared at Mr.. Tillman.
Il know what fair price for armor is"
ne continued, and the. price We have set |
is too low for any maker TO think of taxi
ing the contract. II may be that $500
would be fair price,. but II is not a big
price
The Illinois Steel Company offered to
make armor for SOS per ton," said Mr..
Wellington.
Hanna In n DEAL
THAT was bluff. pure bluff. and
nothing but a bluff said MIR. Hanna. II
happened TO be interested in that deal my
self Now. how dare any man question
the integrity of the Secretary of the Navy.
He ought TO be trusted in this matter as
he was during the war with Spain. We
should let him make the price.
II want to tell you right here that you
can't build a Government armor plant
within five years. And when you get it
built you never could turn out good armor |
plate at any price"
How is il that the Illinois Steel Com
pany shut down for want of work. if their
offer was only bluff said Mr.. Tillman.
Because the owners wanted TO influence
he stock market answered Mr.. Hanna.
Then this shows what scoundrels men |
are when they get to be millionaires. said
Mr.. Tillman. They are not only liar.
but thieves"
docs the Senator mean TO call any man ,
On this floor a liar and a thief" asked I
Mr. Hanna.
Il am inferring what millionaires are" 9
aid Mr. Tillman.
why couldn't the Government build an |
lrmor plate factory asked Mr. Allen.
Because II couldn't get the men nor the
said Mr.. Hanna.
1T seems TO turn out political armor for
he Senator from Ohio" said Mr.. Allen.