Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-26
58TH CONGRESS.
Senator Hale Speaks on Naval
Appropriation Bill.
Consideration Of Various Other Mat
tiers in Upper Branch.
Lower Body Passes Unusually Large
Number Of Bills.

washington, April GOV neither the
President shall order the construction
of the battleship provided for in the
naval appropriation bill or wait until
the war in the East demonstrates the
comparative utility of the big sea-
fighters and the torpedo boat or SUB
marine craft. was a question raised in
the Senate, today, by Mr.. Hale of
Maine, on the adoption Of the confer
ence report. 1t was developed that the
language of the bill was permissive
and that the President and secretary
of the navy could defer action if they
deem it advisable. MIR. hale declared
that if he We're secretary of the navy
he should not dare to go on now and
commit the government to the building
of an immense battleship. for it would
not surprise him if events of the Rus
sian-J japanese war demonstrated that
the $3.50, 600, 600 paid for big battleships
We're a bad investment for this govern
ment.
Several other senators counselled de-
lay.
Mr.. Bacon discussed trusts, replying
to the recent speech of Mr.. Dolliver.
He devoted the greater portion to con-
IL
American products to be sold abroad
for Il less price than American cou-
sumers are required TO lay.
The military academy bill. the last
Of the general appropriation measures
was under consideration at the hour
when memorial services for the late
Representative Thompson Of Alabama
We're begun.
Washington, April 25.-On conven-
ing. today. the Senate passed bill to
provide for a public building at Au-
burn. Me.
Senator Cullom gave notice that he
would address the Senate. tomorrow,
on TIE subject of the foreign relations
of the United States
Gov. Odell of New York was WISH
tor in the Senate chamber. He took
seat between Senators Plat and De-
pew.
Mr.. Hale called up the conference
report of the naval appropriation bill
eliminating all difficulties between the
two houses.
In seeking statement on the report
Is1r. Hale criticized the modern battle
ship. Under tho light of events that
have TRANSFERRED in the East" be began,
and the very remarkable development
in naval warfare that have been dis
closed, If the matter had been open
should certainly have tcen in favor Of
striking out OF the bill the provision
for the battleship or that no steps be
taken toward committing ourselves on
this question until after the next scs-
sion of Congress. But as it has been
agreed to by both houses. it was our
of the jurisdiction of the conference
committee.
Il may say that if I We're secretary
of the navy in the present condition I
should not dare to go on and commit
the government to the building of an
other immense battleShip costing S.
0OO, 600.
The lessons of war between Russia
and Japan thus far go to show the
vulncrability and the unsafety of those
immense and lofty battleships and the
undesirability at present of commit
ting ourselves to further construction
of them.
The great and salient events Of the
war show how incomplete as an en-
CINE of war. one of these enormous
nigh tuITeteu DattIeSnlpS. III she is
struck below the water line and the
center of gravity is disturbed, she
turns over like n turtle and everybody
on board is drowned"
Mr.. Spooner: rs the language of the
bill permissive or mandatory as to the
construction Of the battleship?"
Mr.. Hale: The language is permis-
sive and undoubtedly the President
and secretary can withhold action
Mr.. Bacon: Il desire to call attcn-
ton that when this naval bill was I'M
der consideration 1 suggested that the
improvement in submarine engines was
that 1t woud be comparatively short
time before the battleship. however ii
might be protected against the ordinary
projcctile, would be out of date and OBJ.
@olete"
Mr.. Hale: 1.-The senator was so wise
in his suggestion. But events then
have advanced with such startling
:apidity that the suggestion becomes
more apparent. The trouble with TIE
Continued on page 81