The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-11
HOUSE PROVISION KILLED
This Provided for Building Ships in
Government Yards.
FOREST RESERVES BILL IN THE HOUSE
This Measure to Transfer Certain Reserves 70
the Agricultural Department is Done
10 Death in this Branch Of
Congress.
(By the Associated Press }

| Washington, June 10.-Another of the
disposed of by the Senate today the
| Naval bill, carrying more than SIS, 900 900
being passed. 1t includes provisions for
| two first class battleships, two first class
armored cruisers and two gunboats; but
strikes out the House provision that one
| of each shall be built at Government
yards.
Mr.. Perkins. member of the Com
| mittee on Naval Affairs. argued that
some of the vessels of the navy ought to
be constructed at Government navy
yards, and he urged that the admirably
equipped Government yards ought to be
utilized. This policy, he said, was de-
manded by the labor unions.
Mr.. Platt Comm asked if this was a
demand or request on the part of the
labor unions
Il mean that it is q request" replied
Mr.. Perkins. They maintain that it is
to the Governments interest that the
navy yards belonging to the people should
be utilized for building war vessels"
Mr. Perkins discussed the depth OF
water at various ship yard docks in the
country, showing that the depth of water
at the Government yards was greater Or
the same as that in private
yards. He maintained that, with
conditions reasonable, the Govern
ment yards having been entire
ly emancipated from politics, war
vessels could be built at such wards as
cheaply as at private yards and certainly
within the contract price. He{ main
tanned that the increased cost of con-
struction in Government yards, or ac-
count of the eight hour law, was more
than Offset by the immense salaries paid
the management in private yards.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Mallory
(Fla.) appropriating 100000 for a fire
proof building at the Pensacola. Fla.
navy yard was agreed to. When coEsid-
Grafton was resumed of the Isthmian
Canal question, Mr.. Turner delivered an
extended argument in support of the
Nicaragua route. He discussed the local
difficulties surrounding the acquisition
by the United States of the Panama
Canal Company's rights, franchises and
property He maintained that the Pana-
ma Company could not pass a clear
title to the United States, and if this
Government purchased it it would be
with all its encumbrancies.
In answer to an inquiry of Mr.. CLAW
Mr.. Turner said that under no system Of
Jurisprudence of which he had any knowl
edge could the rights and property of the
Panama Canal Company be disposed Of
by the new company without the old
company having been a party to the
judicial proceedings.
should like to inquire of the Sena-
tor, said Mr.. Fairbanks. whether there
has been a confirmation of the order of
sale"
Not that l am aware of, replied Mr..
Turner There has been no sale and
there could be, therefore, no confirmation
of It."
In conclusion Mr.. Turner urged strong
ly the construction of the Isthmian canal
saying that it at once would relieve the
Pacific coast from the onerous burden
placed upon it by the trans continental
railroads, which had become we'll nigh
intolerable.
Mr.. Morgan discussed the legal diff
culties of acquiring the Panama Canal
property, and declared that the United
States could not buy the property with
out accepting the incumbrances upon IL
The House bill providing for the pro-
lection of the President was referred 10
the Judiciary Committee although Mr.
Hoar, chairman of that committee.
thought it would be impossible to get
action upon it at this session if the COM
:nittee had to consider it.