Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-24
PROGRESS ON NAVAL BILL
THE HOUSE COMPLETES FIVE OUT
OF sIxTY-FIvE PAGES.
Mr.. Richardson Criticfses the Larg0
Increase I'm Appropriations Over
Previous Years.

When the naval appropriation bill was
taken up in the House of Representatives
yesterday afternoon 1t was agreed that gen.
eral debates should be limited to one hour.
Mr.. Foss ulD. chairman of the naval COM
mfttee, who was in charge of the measure,
explained its salient features.
In the course of his remarks In answer to
a question. Mr.. Foss said that our navy
was larger than the German navy, and was
keeping little ahead of 1t. Mr.. Grosve-
nor (Ohio) took exception to this remark.
which he considered unfortunate and cap
able of misconstruction. We were friendly
with Germany, and there was no reason
why that country should be singled out for
the purposes of comparison.
Mr.. Foss disclaimed any idea that we
were directing our energies toward keeping
ahead of Germany. He had simply stated
a fact. He believed in a strong and eff
cient navy, not SO large England's, hut
of moderate size; built on conservative
lines and capable OF upholding the honor OF
the country and the flag.
Mr.. Hill Comm asked whether the conn
mittee had given any consideration to the
question of the ultimate size Of the navy.
Mr.. Foss replied that the committee had
not considered that question. Congress
must decide that question. For the present
the committee believed iii proceeding con-
servatively. Man for man and ship for
ship, he said, he believed the American
navy the most efficient in the world.
Mr.. Foss said the controverted question
as to armor plate had been happily set
tied by the action of the Secretary OF the
Navy in accepting bids for 36,Slo tons OF
armor at $40 ton and S24.32 royalty Tor
Krupp, and S11.20 a ton for Harvey armof.
He declared that at that price the United
States would obtain armor at 20 per cent
below the price paid by other countries.
is this the same sort of armor? asked
Mr. Bartlett CGa). which the naval com
mittee last year said should be purchased
for S54J per ton?"
Mr. Foss explained the controversy last
year. which Mr.. Wheeler Ky.J excepted
to, intimating that the chairman OF the
naval committee was disinGenuous.
MIR. Foss insisted that If any credit was
due for the provision under which the sec
rotary had been enabled to procure armor
at the reduction price. H. belonged to the
House confereeS.
Mr.. Richardson Crenn), the minority
leader, called attention to the large amount
the bill appropriated.
"Does the gentleman desire to go on rec
ord as opposed to the policy of building up
the navy?" asked Mr.. Foss-
1.-The gentleman can take care of the
policy" responded Mr.. Richardson. Il am
now stating facts. The bill carries an in
peace"
This bill carries 100000 for carrying
on work previously authorized interposed
Mr.. Dayton (W.Va), land $3,0O0,OOO for re-
THAT may be" answered Mr.. Richard-
son, but last year the bill carried S13,0OO,-
600 more than the bill for the previous
year. Last year the size of the bill was
apologized for. What l desire to empha-
size is that year by year there come these
great increases for the navy. The present
bill is $20,OoO00O larger than the bill OF
two years ago"
Mr.. Fitzgerald (Mass.) spoke in favor OF
building our war ships in the government
navy yards.
Mr.. Wheeler Ky) spoke enthusiastically
in favor of n great navy. He was OPP
posed, however, to a large army. A big
standing army, he said, might threaten our
liberties; a big navy never could, while 1t
might preserve them against foreign enc
mics.
At the conclusion of the general debate
the bill was read for amendment, under
the five minute rule. The provision giving
warrant officers the Communication of quar-
ters allowed second lieutenants in the ma
rine corps was stricken out on a point of
order made by Mr.. Cannon Qll).
Mr.. Fitzgerald (N.YD moved to increase
the number of chaplains from twentyfour
to thirty-four. With the increase of 5000
men in the navy, he thought 1t proper that
the number Of the spiritual advisers Of the
men should be proportionately increased.
Mr.. Foss said the Navy Department had
not asked for an increase in the corps of
chaplains, and he therefore made a point
of order against the amendment, and 1t
was sustained.
The provision for an Inspector of naval
accounts, with the rank of lieutenant COM
mander, went out on a point of order
After completing five pages of the sixty.
five pages of the bill the House, at $40
pm, adjourned.