Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-20
57TH CONGRESS-.
Naval Appropriation Bill Goes
Through the House.
Three BattIeships, Armored Cruiser,
Two Steel Training Ships
And Wooden Training Brig Are New
Vessels Authorized.

Washington, Feb. 19.-At the end OF
a protracted session the House. today
passed the naval appropriation bill
A great many amendments We're Of
fered to the provisions relating to the
increase of the personnel and the au-
thorization of new ships to be built.
The most important amendment was
one to authorize the secretary of the
navy in his discretion to purchase OF
contract for submarine torpedo boats
after investigation of their merits and
appropriates 100000 for that purpose
The amendment was in the language
of Il bill introduced by Hill. Connecti-
cut, and it was stated on the floor that
it had the support of all the members
of the naval committee. 1t was adopt
ed practically without debate. The
words authorizing the construction OF
the new ships by contract were
stricken out.
AS passed the bill provides for three
new battleships, an armored cruiser
two steel training ships and one wood
en- brig for training purposes in addi-
ton to the submarine boats discretion
ally authorized. The increase in the
personnel of the navy went through
as reported by the committee, an eff
fort to limit the increase to two mid
shipmen for each senator and repre-
sentative to the period between now
and 1911 having been voted down.
The House proceeded with the con-
sideration of naval appropriation bill
When the House adjourned. yesterday
the paragraph relating to the personnel
of the navy had been reached. To this
an amendment was offered which was
defeated providing the graduates of
state nautical schools standing high
est in their classes be appointed and al
so an amendment was offered by Per-
kins, N. Y. making volunteer officers
who served in the Marine Corps during
The war with Spain eligible to APP
pointment as captains on the Marine
Corps staff. He said there We're but
two officers vino would be eligible I'M
der this amendment. 1t was lost.
An amendment was adopted giving
members of Congress whose districts
are not now represented at the Naval
Academy, the privilege of Immediately
appointing youths to fill such vacan-
cies.
Mitelen, n. c., offered an amendment
to limit the increase of midshipmen
to be appointed to two for each sena-
tor and representative between now
and 1911. 1t was lost, rs to So. F'itz-
gerald, N. Y. moved to increase the
number of chaplains from "a to a. His
motion was lost.
Dick. Ohio, offered an amendment
which was adopted. to provide for the
summary explosions of naval ca
Diet found guilty of hazing.
When the paragraph providing for
the increase of the navy" was reached,
Mudd, q member of the naval commit
tee, made a point of order against the
portions of the paragraph providing
hat the machinery and materials
used in the construction of the ships
authorized in it should be of domestic
manufacture, and authorizing the sec
rotary of the navy in the case of COM
bination of bidders, to have the ships
constructed in government yards. Gill
lett, Mass, who was in the chair, sus-
tained the point of order. whereupon
Kitchen, N. c., appealed from the de-
cision. The chair was sustained, 109
to SO.
Fitzgerald, ~ Y, raised point of or
construction of the ships authorized by
the bill by contract and the words
went out
I An amendment was then adopted re-
inserting the provisions requiring the
nse of domestic machinery and mater
ials in the construction of the ships.
Tayler. Ohio. on behalf of the naval
Committee offered an amendment au-
thorizing the secretary of the navy in
his discretion to eXpend $5o0,000 for sub
marine torpedo boats tested and found
10 be acceptable to the navy. Tayler
said the amendment had the approval
of every member of the committee. 1t
was not in the interest of any particu-
lar submarine boat.
why did not the committee report
the provisions in the bill if it was ac-
ceptable to all the members?" asked
Thayer, Mass.
Because it was only agreed upon
today" answered Tayler.
Rather late" observed Thayer.
The amendment was agreed to, 81 to
AZ.
Continued on page 80