The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-04-21
HOUSE WRANGLES
OVER AMOR PLATE
The Price to be Allowed
Stricken Out of Bill.
EFFECT OF ACTION.
Some Held That it Gives the Secre-
tary Of the Navy Free Hand.
A FIuBUS1ER INSTITUTE D.
Adjournment Was Finally Forced
Without Final Action on the Meas
nrc-Thc Conference Report on
Hawaiian Bill Was Before
The Senate. but Action
Was Postponed.
A FILlBUS1ER INSTITUTE D.

WASHINGTON, April Pas result
of a protracted struggle in the House
to-day, the provision of the naval ap-
preparation bill to enable the Secretary
of the Navy 10 contract for armor Tor
the battleships Maine. Ohio and Mis-
souri,, now awaiting their armor equip
ment, at 545 per ton, the price asked Tor
Krurp armor, is out of the bill, as IS
the provision to repeal the $500 limitation
placed upon the price Of armor by the
current law.
The fight came al the end of the con-
sideration of the bill. Although the
provision was obnoxious 10 the rule. All
the minority members OF the committee
had agreed TO 1t, but to-oaS, Wheh me
majority declined to allow the discussion
of a prnposition for the establishment OF
an armor plate Factory, they retal!ated
by raising a point of order against "the
two provisions above referred TO. and
they were ruled out.
The exact effect OF the action OF the
House to-day is disputed. The appropria-
ton of S4.O0o000 under the head OF Ar
NOR and armament remains in the plll,
as Well as the language of the proNiso
authorizing the Secretary of the Navy
10 contract for armor of the best quaill!
words stricken out being AT cost
not TO exceed $545 Il ton, including royal
ties
1t is contended by some this empower
ed the Secretary to contract for the ar
NOR without regard 10 cost by olhefs
it is claimed that the provision VIII De
ineffective unless the Senate inserts the
price.
So much bad feeling was aroused by
the wranSie over the armor plate pro-
vision that Mr.. Underwood of Alabana'
began a iflibuster after the bin va.
reported 10 the House and finally iorcea
an adjournment without final action on
the bill.
Before the armor-plate question came
up two amendments 10 modify the PRO
vision for the increase OF the navy whfch
authorizes two battieships and six crui-
:sers. were defeated. One proposed 10 ada
provisions for six gunboats and The other
TO strike out the provision for the battle
ships.
The question of building ships in gov
ernment yards did not reach a vote, as
the amendment offered 10 this end was
ruled out on a point of order.
II was the regular war-claims aay, put
the Naval Committee 10y vote OF 100 to
q, won its point % proceed with The Dill
Mr. Cannon, Crairman of the Appropria-
tions Committee. asked unanimous con-
sent for a modification of the language
of the amendment adopted yesterday reia-
tive to the Navy Academy. The pro-
posed modification made only one SUD
stantial change In the amendment, au-
thorlzing the Secretary of The Navy, af-
ter fhe plans had been approved, to con-
tract for all or part of the Improvement
at Annapolis within the SG,oooo0o limit
The amendment was agreed 10.
An amendment agreed 10 provided that
TNl.4a Itrar. If 1-,ir ras}T1e 81
should nct be below the rank Of lieu
tenant-commander.
MIR. Fitzgerald. of New York, offered
an amendment to bulld four Of the SHIPS
authorized by the bill in government
yards
Mr.. Foss raised a point of order against
the amendment. which, after prolonged
debate, was sustained.
Mr. Fitzgerald then appealed from the
decision, and the Chair was sustained
50 TO "a
GOVERNMENT FACTORY.
Mr.. Vandiver, a member of the commit
tee. offered an amendment 10 appropriate
$2.eeo,0eo for the erection of a government
arn.or-plate factory and for the appoint
merit of three officers OF tile navy to Sc
lect a site for such factory.
Mr. Dayton made a point of order
against the amendment, and insisted upon
il despite the protest of AIR. Underwood
who said ii was outrageous that pro-
position involving the whole question of
ar-noc plate. which had been agitated for
FIVE years. should be strangled and the
House led like a bull by a ring 10 the
bar of the House and made 10 vote.
The chair sustained the point OF order.
from which decision Mr.. Underwood
promptly appealed.
He was several times called 10 order by
Mr. Hepburn for not speaking TO the
appeal. and finally amid increasing excite
men; and confusion Mr. Hepburn made
the point that when called TO order Mr..
Underwood must take his seat
This the member from Alabama did.
whereupon Ar. Bartlett, of Georgia, moved
that Mr.. Underwood be allowed TO proceed
in order.
MIR Bartletts motion prevailed, 81 TO Is,
and Mr. Underwood proceeded. He was
again called to order. and the chair recog-
iized Air Dalzell TO move to close debate
upon The appeal
Debate was closed. 80 TO 81. and the chair
was sustained. % 10 S3.
POINT SUSTAINED.
Mr. yandiver then made the point OF
order that the provision TO pay S'i5 a ton
for arYnor for the Maine. Ohio and Mis-
souri, was change of existing law. ana
therefore out of order. The act of March
Sd. 1893. he said limited the cost of arinor
plate to $500 "a ton. The act of The previous
year limited the cost 10 sioo ton,
The point of order was finally sustained
by the chair. The Democrats greeted the
decision with applause.
Mr. bingham, of Pennsylvania. speak
ing 10 a pro forma amendment. denied on
the authority of Mr.. Cratnp. of the crasip
,sshi,yb,Iilding Company. that there had
ever been proposition for co,nhina-
tion between his firm and the Carnegie
Company on the snbjec. of arrnor plate.
The provision for the repeal of the re-
strction Of $500 ton in the current law
won't OUT on a point of order.
Without further amendment the bill
was rc,softed 10 the House.
Mr. underwood fDesn. Of Ala) demanded