The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-19

| sets was concerned it was sIbs 6la-the,
| would waive all claim against the Govern
ment for any damages on account of thes,
delays. And these waivers are ptecisel,
the same in the case of the Massachusetts
and in the case of the Indiana. u
Waiver OF the Cramps
Mr.. Robb read the Cramps waiver o.
all claims for damages, as follows:
That in consideration of said payment fs150, 900
| the party of the first part hereby releases tn
| party of the second part from all and ever,
claim for loss or damage hitherto sustained b
| reason of any failure on the part of the part,
| of the second part to comply with the contrac
aforesaid account of any delay hitherto
occasioned by the action of said party of the
second part and further that the said contract
as modified herein and by the terms Of the agree
ment dated October ., 1894. hereinbefore mention
ed. shall remain in all other Respects unchang
ed and unaffected in its legal effect hy sale
notifications
Mr.. Steele want to ask the gentleman
if that was not made under coercion, in
order to get money, when they were hard
up and had to have it.
Mr. Robb-Mr. Chairman. in reply to the
gentleman l will say that | have heard
some limitations that the great Cramp
Shipbuilding Company were coerced into
making an agreement waving a claim OF
81 1861. eco against the Government in con-
sheraton of receiving an advancement OF
S150,000 | have heard some intimations
of that, but / do not believe it, and l do
not see how any other gentleman can be-
lieve that that great corporation, that
strong financial concern, would surrender
over million dollars in consideration of
an advancement of hundred and fifty
thousand dollars.
Mr.. Bingham caused some laughter by
citing as hypothetical case the follow
ing: Suppose l am the Government and
you are the Cramps. Here is contract
amounting to 100000 for the building
of four vessels. There is delay. The Gov
eminent cannot settle it under any order,
rule, or statute. There is fight over it.
Now, where should 1t go?"
MIR Robb-LThis House can take up the
evidence upon this bill and consider it the
same as it would consider any other bill.
1t has been referred to 1t. l undertake to
say, SO far as / am concerned, that L
would not go into the examination of the
question as to whether there were dam
ages on account of delay. or what these
damages were When / came to this
agreement on the part of the shipbuilding
company I should say that it is no use to
consider that-the parties have waived
that in the agreement-and the matter is
foreclosed.
Mr.. Crumpacker-Can the gentleman in
form me or the committee whether this
release was executed after the work had
all been done, or whether any part of the
contracts were performed after the exc
cution of the release? l notice that it
releases simply for damages.
Mr.. Robb-I will say in reply to the
gentleman that the contract was not con-
templated at that time: the ships were in
course of construction at the time OF
their release They simply wanted the
money and waived the right to claim DAM
ages. They waived any damage in con-
sideration of receiving this advancement
from the Government. Under the con-
tract the Secretary of the Navy could net
advance them $500 without change
Of the contract. Consequently this change
was made. Now they made similar
contract with reference to the Indiana
the Indiana and the Massaehusetts--em-
Dracing $685.. 9S9.39.
The FilibusterinE BeEfns.
When discussion Of the bin had contin
led for about three hours, MIR. Grosvencr |
attempted to close debate in the Com
mittee of the Whole, but became involved |
IN a parliamentary ENHANCEMENT for the |
reason that in the House no conclusion
mas been reached as TO a limit for debate. |
He thereupon moved that the committee |
-ise. This motion prevailed without |
serious opposition, and ChairWan Henien- |
way reported TO Speaker Henderson that |
he Cramp Claim bill had been under con-
;ideration but that the committee had |
;ome to no conclusion thereon. Mr.. |
lrosyenor then moved that the House
gain resolve itself into Committee of the
Whole, and that debate on the Cramp bill
lose in one minute.
Mr. Robb moved to amend the motion
~ substituting the words two hours"
or "one minute" On viye yoce vote
he amendment was defeated and Mr..
IcDermott demanded a division. result
ng ayes so, noes SO. The gentleman from
Sew Jersey then called for the yeas and
ays, but the demand being supported by
My sixteen members, roll call was
lot ordered Mr. McDermott then made
he point of no quorum and the Speaker
ounted las members present, not quor-
I'M Mr. McDermott moved that the
louise adjourn, but this motion was
oted down and call of the House pro-
eeded with. The call as announced, was,
yes 80, noes ia, present 23-ls7 or IS
bove quorum. The amendment of Mr..
,obb was therefore. defeated.
Mr. Grosvenor moved the previous ques-
ion on his motion that debate should
lose in one minute and the ayes had
/. Mr.. McDermott demanded a division
nd upon the announcement of the result
allied for the ayes and noes, which the
louise refused to order, only 2S members
Importing the motion. Mr.. Grosyenor
ext called for vote on his motion to
o into Committee of the Whole, and the
yes having it, Mr. McDermott cried out
division, Mr.. Speaker" The result of
he House dividing was ayes 90, noes &c.
ir. McDermott demanded tellerS and as
1e counting of the member swas in pro-
ress cries for the yeas and nays came
rom many part of the hall, and roll
all was ordered. Before the Clerk be-
an the monotonous recital of Mr.. Ach-
son, Mr.. Adams! Mr.. Adamson! etc." Mr.
lcDermott moved an adjournment.
bouts of "dlatory notion" came from
lessrs. Payne, Bingham, Dalzeil, Gros-
enor and others on the Republican side.
Speaker Henderson said: LAS the mem
err who makes the motion is a new
lember, the Clerk will read the rule"
he rule relating to dilatory motions
as then read, while there was a little
pple of laughter on the floor and in the
slleries at the expense of the new mem
ar, Mr.. McDermott having been elected
fill the vacancy caused by the death
Mr. DAILY. When the reading had been
lished Speaker Henderson said: Every
ember knows that this is a dilatory
otion, and the point OF order is sus-
lined The Clerk will call the roll"
there was a great shutting
nd changing of positions on the floor,
the strong metallic voice of Clerk
amson rang out, Mr. Acheson, Mr..
dams! Mr.. Adamson," with a pro-
ounced accent on the first syllable of
ich name.
Before the announcement of the roll
III MIR. McDermott arose and said, Mr..
leaker, no quorum
The Sppaker-EOr what purnOse does |