The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-09
MILLIONS FOR THE NAVY.
The Appropriation Bill Under Dis
cussion In the Senate,

CusstOn In the Senate,
The Senate yesterday took up the Naval
Appropriation bill and discussed all of
the committee amendments
The bill carries a>~tot1 Of SIS, 500, 973,
or a net increase of Isl, sci, 1888 over
the House bill. The prinSipal stem of in
crease is one of SS5OD0O lcr the purchase
of coal. making the appropriation for that
purpose a round two mill bns For coal
depot at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the COM
mittee added $50, eco. and $25O. 600 is in
serted for urgent necessities attendant
upon the construction of the Cavite naval
station. Another provision authorizes an
examination of the waters of Porto Rico
preparatory to establishing a naval sta
ton there, the strategic position of the
island with reference to the United States
and the proposed Nicaragua Canal to be
taken into consideration.
All the appropriations for the League
Island Navy Yard are under the head OF
philadelphia Navy Yard thus officially
sanctioning the recent change of name.
The committee struck out the House
provision abolishing the two years cruise
for naval cadets, which leaves the aca-
demic course six years, as at present. The
number of cadets to be appointed by the
President is increased from ten to fifteen.
The enlistment period in the Marine Corps
is fixed at four years.
The committee struck from the bill the
authorization for two new battleships and
two new armored cruisers at cost OF
SIS, 100000, replacing it with a provision
directing the preparation Of plans for
those vessels to be submitted to Congress
next December, together with recon-
mendations whether the ships shall be I'M
sheathed what shall be the weight and ex-
tent of their armor, the form and location
of their turrets the number aud size CT
their guns, etc. The purchase OF three
Holland submarine torpedo boats. to cost
s175, 0G0 each, is authorized.
The bill was read for amendments and
occupied nearly the entire afternoon.
Mr.. Chandler, for Mr.. Mcmillan, offer
ed an amendment providing for the ex-
tension of the Washington Navy Yard.
The plan embraces the purchase of the
Weller estate and calls for an appropria
ton of $751;, eco
The first of the reserved committee
amendments was to strike out the House
provision reducing the course OF three
classes of naval cadets from six to four
years.
Mr.. Hale explained the position of the
Naval Committee and stated that the
adoption of the House provision would
dump" into the navy at one time IA
young officers, at the foot of the list, and
would make another hump which. he
said, stopped the promotion Of young Of
ficers, who come afterward. II was not
to be supposed that officers would be pro-
vided to supply all the war vessels. II
these vessels were all kept In cor1nission
500, 100000 would not cover tie cost
Most of them would remain in the navy
yards ready to be put in commission
whenever needed. AK. n
Mr. Gallery made, a long argument
against the amendment and in favor of
the House provision.a l.
Mr.. Foraker also opposed the amend
ment and ayowed himself as iavoring the
substitution of four years course for a
six years course -5.za
Mr. Tillman, as a member OF the Naval
Committee, contended that the House pro-
vision should be rejected. and he spoke
of many of the naval officers who should
be at sea as 'frolicking and dancing and
having fun on shore.H
Mr.. McEnery and Mr.. Butler, both mem
bers of the Naval Committee. also argued
against the COMMITTEES amendment.
The relative merits of the four-year
and of the six-year eonrse of instruction
at the Naval Academy and their effect
upon the question of promotion in the
navy led to long and tedious discussion
which did not throw much light upon the
controversy.
Without coming to any decision. the
Senate at $50 o'clock went into execu-
tive session.
At 552 the doors were opened and the
Senate adjourned until II a. m. today.