The Washington times., 1902-05-20
Aided By Republicans in
Passing Naval Bill
Amendment.
WORK IN GOVERNMENT YARDS
PROVISION for Building Three War YES
sells Placed in Appropriation Bill
Against Efforts of Majority of Com
mittee.


opponents.
Againat the protests of the majority Of
the Comnnttee on Naval Affairs and the
House leaders, they succeeded in carrying
an amendment TO the naval appropriation
Dill providing for the construction of
three yessels-one battlcship. ono armor-
ed cruiser. and one grnboat-in Govern
ment navy yards.
The measure as reported by the com
mittee contained a proviso directing the
Secretary of the Navy TO have either one
battieship or one armorod cruiser built
In a Government yard, for the purpose
Of making an experiment.
In going this far the committee decided
against the judgment CT several of its
leading members, but as Government con-
struction was advocated by a number OF
labor organizations, it was decided TO
make a test
When that paragraph was reached in
the reading Of the bill, Mr. Roberts (Rep..
Mass) offered an amendment to construct
three vessels instead of one in Govern
ment yards, which is oEe-half CT the NUN
Der authorized by the measure.
Aided by Democrats.
The Democrats stood by him TO a man,
and with the aid OF Representative Tay-
Ter (Rep., Ohio, another member of the
Naval Committee, the members OF the
California and Washington delegations.
with few other scattering votes. the
amendment was adopted by substantial
majority. The Republicans were at
considerable disadvantage by reason of
the absence of goodly portion of their
membership, many OF them being in
Representative Thompson's party in Ala
bama. Several other amendments of les
ser Importance were added to the bill,
and IL was then passed without a divi-
sion.
When consideration of the naval bill
was resumed shortly after the reading
OF the journal, Mr.. Underwood Dem,
Ala.) raised a point of order against the
paragraph providing for 500 additional
cadets at the Naval Academy. If such
legislation was held to be in order on
appropriation bills. the Committee on
Naval Affairs or the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs might increase or diminish
the navy or army at any time. The |
point was sustained by the chairman and ,
the provision went out
Cadets to Be Midshipmen.
An amendment was agreed TO at the 4
suggestion of Mr.. Dayton tRep. ". ya.). |
changing the name of cadets TO midship- |
men.
Another amendment was adopted re-
pealing sections s, 3. and 10 OF the naval
personnel act. which authorizes the vol
untary retirement of naval officers If a
sufficient number OF vacancies is not
otherwise created.
On motion OF Mr.. Ball Dem., TexD
the Limitation that not more than two of
the new battleships and cruisers and one
gunboat shall be built in any one ship
yard was stricken out.
Mr.. Roberts then offered the following
amendment:
The Secretary Of the Navy shall build
at least one of the battleships one of
the armored cruisers. and one of the
gunboats herein authorized in such navy
yard as he may designate.
And for the purpose of preparing and
equipping such navy yard or navy yards
as may be 80 designated for the con-
struction OF such ship or ships. the sum
of t175.000, or SO much thereof as may
be necessary, is hereby appropriated for
each OF the navy yards In which the Sec
retary OF the Navy may direct any ship
or ships to be built"
Point of Order Raised.
Against this amendment Mr.. Adams
(Rep.. Pa.) raised a point of order. This I
was discussed at some length. Messrs.
and Tayler opposing the
point Of order and Messrs. Adams. |
Cannon. and Mudd arguing in support Of
II. The chairman, Mr.. Sherman OF New
York. sustained the point of order against J
the amendment, but in doing SO ex-
pressed some doubt as to his own ruling !
~ view Of this Mr.. Roberts appealed {
rom the decision. On division the chair
nan declared that he had been sustained {
" 9 vote Of S. to 70. Mr.. Roberts de-
nadued tellers. Every Democrat voted
against the chairman, and the decision
vas oyerruled by the decisive vote OF s5 c
o l6s. q
Mr., Foss then obtained recognition, and
ed the fight against the amendment, say :
ng that In voting TO construct ships in
Government yards the House was voting u
seainst the interests OF the taxpayers n
I would cost 25 per cent more than to 4
construct them in private yards. I
The difference he maintained was occa- e
toned by the fact that wages are higher a
o Government yards. the employees are
Il Z
,ay. and a number OF holidays He read n
rom statement by Admiral Bowles. and o
pon IL was sharply questioned by
Fitzgerald tDem., y. W r,
nd Representative Clayton (Dem., Ala.),
tho maintained that two years ago Ad-
lirai Bowles had stated that ships could
g built as cheaply In Government yards | ~
9 in private yards.
Mr.. Dayton tRep., W. va) also opposed c'
.1..Ng.
fbvided for fair test by having one yes- is
ei built in a Government yard. The ex- to
eriment, he thought. would cost s1,00o,- g,
%.
Mr.. Roberts Argument. "
Mr.. Roberts argued in support of his n
mendment. He said the Government had
Epended s100.000,0Oo in building navy =,
ards. and he thought they ought to be !,
ut to some further use than merely re- w
airing vessels. He said there never had h,
cen fair test OF Government construc- W
on. II could only be accomplished by 70
lviug one ship Of each class built in a &C
Dvernmept yard, and her sister ship in q
'fyate yard as his amendment contem-
ated. Then the difference could be COM ey
IteG ha
Mr. Rixey fDem., ra.) also supported th
: amendment. Mr.. Foss sought to nx an
limit OF two hours debate on II. thus th,
rfying the vote over until today, when ori
hoped the Republicans would be fn bet
position, but objection was made.
". Cannon endeavorcd 10 delay the Q
tier By asking for half hours exten-
. OF time. asd then ten minutes. and Q
/,