The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-10
TO AMEND HANNA'S BILL
Radical Changes Proposed by the
Republican Leaders.
Senators in Conference Decide That
Concessions Must Fe Made If the
Subsidy scheme Il to Be Passed
Some of the Important Changes
Which Are Regarded as Essential.

Senator Aldrich. Chairman of the Com
mittee on Finance. and the Republican
political manager of the Senate, left the
city yesterday for a brief absence. Just
before going a protraeted consultation
with regard 90 the Ship Subsidy bill was
held. 1t was attended by Mr.. Hanna and
a number of other Senator's. Owing to
the fact that the bill has not been
pressed while the Army Reorganization
bill is pending, the impression has become
general that the Republicans have judi
ciously determined to abandon the effort
to press the ship subsidy measure at this
session. This is not the case. however.
the fact being that the bill is in the
hands of the steering committee which
has decided to bring it TO a vote if such
thing is possible.
1t was temporarily laid aside last week
in order to give the Army bill the right
of way, but it will be brought forward
again at the proper time. 1t is well
known, however, to those who have
knowledge of what is taking place in the
conferences of the Republican Senator'S
that the bill must be radically amended
before it can secure the support of the
steering committee and of the Republi-
can Senators as a body. In published
statement Senator Frye. few days ago
indicated a few amendments that would
be acceptable to the friends cf the bill
but there are others in contemplation
which are to be regarded as the price of
the support of some of the most infu-
entail of the Republican Senators.
These proposed amendments were the
direct result of the consultation between
Senators Aldrich, Hanna, and some of their
colleagues yesterday. They are SO radical
that the advocates Of the bill. Senator
Hanna in particular. are disinclined to ac-
cept them, preferring TO take the measure
out of the hands Of the steering commit
tee and run the chance of forcing il TO a
vote on its merits. One of the amendments
that Senators Aldrich. Allison. and others
regard as essential, limits the time dur
ing which the subsidy is to run to ten
years instead of thirty, as the bill now
reads, and another makes it impossible to
smut out competition by giving the sub
sidy to the first company fortunate enough
To make a contract with the Government.
The friends of the bill do not admit
tnaI It's language is open 10 construc-
lion that would thus destroy competition.
but the critics of the measure insist that
it is, and an agreement on these points
must be reached very shortly If the bill
is TO be brought to vote. It seems GER
tain now that if IT is to pass. amendments
acceptable to the Republican Senator's who
dc ret like the bill in its present shape
must first be adopted. \ decision ON that
phase of the question viii be reached with
in the next few Gays after Senator Al
drichs return.
Tnc Republican managers claim TO have
assurances that the Democrats do not in
tend to obstruct vote, and that only ore
or two of the Populists are to be reckoned
with in the matter OF ilibustering. The
advocates Of the bill are confident that
they will be able to defeat attempts
in this direction. feeling sure that
they have sufficient support to keep the
Senate in session at night If it becomes
necessary in order to allow time for The
full consideration Of the measure.
Senator Depew is one of the Repuhli an
Senators who are preparing speeches in
advocation of the measure.