Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-17
THE NAVAL SYSTEM
Cannon and Hepburn Criticize Extent of
Housing Officers Ashore.
SUGGESTS PROPER PLACE is ON WATER
Democrats Embrace Opportunity OF
Scoring CrOwninshieId for His APP
provaI of MacIay's Comments
on Admiral schIey.

WASHINGTON, May 16.-The house had
another lively day Of debate today, Phil
ippine atrocities and the Schley case
coming in for considerable attention.
The naval appropriation bill received
little attention after the more exciting
themes of debate came up.
Mr.. Cannon Of Illinois and Mr.. Hepburn
Of Iowa brought on the discussion by
criticising the extent to which naval Of
ncers secured comfortable berths ashore,
whereupon Mr.. Williams OF Mississippi
made a very sarcastic speech at the ex-
pense of Admiral Crowninshield. during
which he read a poem describing the late
head of the Bureau OF Navigation as
The greatest tar that ever stayed
ashore"
Before proceeding with the naval bill
today the house passed the bill turning
over to Porto Rico, all the public lands of
the island ceded to the United States by
Spain, except sites designated by the presi-
dent within one year for naval and coaling
stations. military posts and other United
States purposes.
would Hear Porto Rican.
In this connection Mr.. Lacey of Iowa
stated that the Porto Rico commissioner
ought to have the privilege Of the floor of
the house so as to explain such matters as
this instead of being compelled to stand
around the corridors of congress.
After some discussion the bill reported
by Mr.. Mccall from the ways and means
committee ~refunding the tax on legacies
paid under the war revenue act by relig-
ious, charitable, art and educational insti-
buttons was passed.
Mr.. Cannon, resuming the naval oficer
discussion, called attention to the numer-
Gus naval establishments conferred at New
port-the war college, the training station
and the torpedo station-and asked with
some irony II the duty of the officers at
these posts was not chiefly during the hot
summer season.
Although he admired our navy and sup
ported the building OF new ships. Mr.. Can
non said one of the dangers of our navy
was in the fact that one-third of the 1.7OC
officers were not on salt water, but on dry
land.
Mr.. Hepburn Of Iowa also commented or
the large number of naval officers on shore
duty, many of them enjoying snug and
comfortable berths after comparatively
brief sea service. He believed there
must be something wrong about the sys-
tenn at the naval academy, with about one
| oficer for every four cadets. II this mum
Der Of officers, in addition to instructors
was necessary. he did not object, but IL II
came from a desire to provide comfortable
hooks for these gentlemen then II should
be stopped.
"Who IL CrOwninshieId, apat"
Mr.. williams of Mississippi asked who
would deprive naval officers from securing
everlasting renown by staying ashore and
deftly pulling the strlngs?" With mock
gravity he read a poem beginning:
"who is Crowninshield, papa?'
There was much laughter at the con-
GLIDING lines OF the poem:
Great Crowninshield, the greatest tar
that ever stayed ashore"
In more serious vein Mr.. Williams re-
ferred to the sampson-schley controversy
Whatever the ofhcial conclusion might be
the American people, he said. had come tC
the conclusion that Admiral Sehley had had
something to do with the battle OF santi'
Eago, and yet 1t had happened that Historian