Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-20
THENAVAL BILLPASSED
THREE SHIPS MUST BE BUILT IN
GOVERNMENT YARDS.
Committees Recommendation Over
ruled by the House After Hard
Fight by Chairman Foss.

The House passed the naval appropria-
ton bill yesterday afternoon. Before final
action was taken on the measure however,
the provision requiring one of the new ships
authorized to be constructed in a govern
nent navy yard was amended, making it
mandatory on the Secretary of the Navy
to construct three of the new ships in gov
eminent yards, and also giving him discre-
ton to construct all of them in govern
ment yards.
The amendment of the bill in this particu-
lar was not accomplished without hard
fight in which Chairman Foss of the naval
committee was backed by Chairman Can
non of the appropriations committee
against government construction, while Mr.
ROBERTS OF Massachusetts successfully led
number of his republican coleagu and
the bulk of the democrats for government
construction.
AS the bill was finally passed the provi-
sions on this subject contained In it read:
Provided, That the Secretary of the
Navy shall build at least one of the battle
shlps one of the armored cruisers and one
OF the gunboatS herein authorized in such
government navy yard or navy yards as
ne may designate; and for the purpose of
preparing and equipping the navy yard or
navy yards as may be so designated for
tne construction of such ships the sumo of
$4,000. or so much thereof as may be nee
essary, Is hereby appropriated for each of
the navy yards in which the Secretary of
the Navy may direct any such ship or ships
to be built.
provided further, That the Secretary of
the Navy shall build all the vessels herein
authorized in such navy yards as he NAV
designate should it reasonably appear that
the persons, nrmS or corpora tionS, or the
agents thereof bidding for the construction
or any of said vessels have entered into
any combination, agreement or under
standing, the effect, object or purpose of
which is to deprive the government of fair
open, unrestricted competition in letting
said vessels"
The first provision is the amendment of
Mr. Roberts, and the second that of Mr.
Ball of Texas. Points of order were made
against them. and their discussion con-
sumed greater part of the afternoon The
argument of those who opposed Mr.. Rob
erts proposition was as expressed by Mr.
ross. that it would cost anywhere from 81
10 " per cent more to construct ships for
the navy IN government yards; that the
government would have to run all the risk
OF 1alure, which was large one and that
the dement, to labor would only be to those
VINO were fortunate enough to get govern
ment employment, while the great mass of
the american mechanics would in reality
be injured.
All of these arguments were commended
against That it would cost more for gov
eminent construction was denied, and as
10 labor not getting the benefit Mr. Roh-
erts simply referred to the great mass of
petltlons which he said had been filed in
congress by organized labor in all sections
OF the country, all Of which argued for
government construction
The only record vote on the matter was
on ruling of the chair, who sustained
point of order against the Roberts amend
ment. The ruling was overthrown bv a
vote of 100 to Sc, after which the bin was
passed. >'N