New-York tribune., 1902-05-20
REVOLT IN THE HOUSE.
THE LEADERS SUFFER ANOTHER De
FEAT
Mr.. ROBERTS WINS HIS Fight. FOR CON
sTRCCTIoN OF WARsHIPS IN NAVY
YARDs-THE NAVAL BILL. PASSED

tST TELEGRAPH TO THE rRtBUNEI
Washington, May 19-The resentment OF the
House toward its present organization and lead
ership was exhibited again to-day IN an i'm
p"rtant amendment of he Naval Appropriation
Dill made over the united opposition of the
utular leaders This time Mr.. Roberts of Mas
sachusetts' who followed the insurgents in their
assault on the organization and Speaker Hen
dersons Committee on Rules when the Cuban
Reciprocity bill the subject of sharp con-
tention, led the opposition forces and achieved
a triumph as significant as that of the insur-
gents. Mr.. Roberts is a member of the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs and strove hard 10
engraft on the committees original bill the
principle of government construction of at least
a part. if not all. OF the naval vessels He was
brought his fight to the floor Of the House. as a
result Of which Speaker Henderson and all
his chief lieutenants smarting tonight un-
der the humiliation of defeat Mr. Robertss
victory occurred in Committee Of the Whole
House on the State Of the Union for the
stderation of the annual Naval Appropriation
bill. with Mr. Sherman. OF New-York. presiding
The Massachusetts member offered an amend
ment TO the bill providing for the construction
OF three Of the proposed ships in govern
ment yards-presumably he built at Bos-
X.
other on the Pacific Coast. The Chair ruled
against the amendment as being out of order
Mr.. Roberts appealed from the decision. and al
though Speaker Henderson came hurrying back
70 the House and tried 20 rally the Republican
side I" sustain the Chair. enough Republicans
voted with the Democrats TO carry Mr. Roberts's
amendment through with large majority
While not nearly so much feeling was en-
gendered or displayed in this clash in the
clash between the House organizat tiOn and the
insurgents on the Cuban Reciprocity bill. still
the victory over the Speaker and his lieutenants
to-day IS significant the triumph OF
the insurgents. Politically il signifies a deep
seated determination the part of a large eIe-
ment of Republicans either TO force a radical
revision of the House rules. under which that
body now is controlled by small handful of
members. or 10 overthrow the present organiza-
tion IN the next Congress, provided the Repub-
licans are again victorious in the elections this
year. TO-day's action also may signalize the
OF a revolution in shipbuilding in the
United States. as the movement started by the
Roberts amendment may eventuate in transfer
ring from private shipyards to those owned by
the government the construction of the bulk of
vessels needed by the new navy.
DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT,
Mr.. Roberts's resolution authorized the Sec
retary of the Navy to build battIeship, one
armored cruiser and one gunboat in such gov
ernment yard or yards he may Designate
Mr.. Adams of Pennsylvania, made a point of
order against it, which was sustained by the
Chair. An appeal was taken and the Chair
overruled S6 to 100. The question then was
on agreeing 10 the amendment.
Mr.. Foss urged the members to consider what
the amendment meant. Past experience he
said. had proved that IL cost - per cent more
build ships in government yards than in private
Yards, and cited the Texas and the Maine. Ad-
nral BoWIes had said that if he were permitted
10 make the conditions he would build ships
rheaply in government yards as under private
but he would make the hours of labor
The same as in private yards he would wipe out
he leaves of absence. would pay the labOrers
IN the navy yards by the piece, and would wipe
0ut all holidays for which they are paid.
Mr.. Dayton said the amendment would not be
n the interests Of labOring men, because there
was a limit placed on the number of men that
navy yards could employ " would extend the
work over many years. and the select few would
nave labor continuously. which otherwise would
90 10 the workmen in the private yards
Mr. Roberts referred to what he termed the
pathetic plea OF Mr.. Dayton for the laboring
nan. aud SAID that when a labor delegation ap-
reared before the committee 1t made plea
'or work in private yards.
The amendment of Mr.. Roberts agreed
IN without division.
Mr. Ball offered amendment, which was
greed TO. providing that in case shlpbuders
inter into a combination or agreement or un-
ierstanding by which competition would he shut
If. then all the ships shall be built in govern
nent Yards
The Naval Appropriation bill was then passed. f
An amendment changing the name cadet to
adopted.
Under suspension of the rules the bill pro-
-iding that eight hours shall constitute a day's
work on all government contracts passed:
lISo bill authorizing the construction Of
lational sanatorium for disabled soldiers at Hot