The Washington times., 1904-02-28
Seeking to Please MOnOpO-
lists" He Says.
"SoP TO SHIP INTERESTS"
Minority Succeeds in DefeTing Action
on Bill Providing for Transporta-
ton Of Government Supplies.

Senate bill 22CS. to provide for the ca1-
rying OF supplies for the army and navy
in American ships. He said the bill was
a step to the interests which have been
clamOring for a ship subsidy bill.
The Senate debated the bill until a
quarter past o'clock, when an agree
ment was reached to take It up again
on Tuesday morning. at the conclusion
OF routine business. This decision was
forced by Mr.. Teller Of Colorado. who
gained the floor and gave notice that
he intended to express his views" on
the bill His colleagues understood that
this meant a prolonged delay. and Mr..
Hale made the motion TO postpone fur
thcr considera ton until Tuesday. 1t
was also agreed to take a vote on the
bill at some time before adjournment
that day.
Developed Into Filibuster.
The Senate devoted practically the
whole day to the discussion of the bill
one amendment after another was sug-
gested by the minority. in several In
stances in accordance with the eN-
pressed views Of ex-Secretary Root and
Secretary Taft. but each amendment
was voted down. Many Senators joine1
in the running comment on the bill. and
Senators Hale. Daniel. Elkins. Patter-
son. Mallory. Perkins. Tillman, Car
mack, Bacon, Culberson, Hoar, and
others made extended speeches.
The debate developed into a full
sized filibuster after a chance remark by
Mr. Hale. in charge of the bill that II
the measure was not passed at that
session it could not be passed at all
The Democrats drew inspiration from
this remark and began a general ora
toricaI attack on the bill.
Mr. Hale finally suggested an amend
rnent to give the President discretion
in the matter of excessive charges. In
which case laws now existing should be
applicable On Mr.. Hoar's motion sec
ton of the bill was stricken out.
thus depriving the Secretaries of War
and Navy OF power TO enforce provis-
lens of the bill.
vi1ginian's Strong Words.
Mr.. Daniel made a characteristic
speech against the bill He reviewed
what appeared TO him its bad points and
made scathing illusions 10 what he
claimed was the Republican program
This BILL declared Mr.. Daniel, us
simply 10 mulct the United States. TO
nut IL at the mercy OF certain shipown-
ers in the Orient. and. indeed, 10 put US
az a disadvantage in all the ports OF
the world 1t is the intention TO turn
over this great trade to a few monopo-
lists"
He declared the Republicans were
seeking TO put through legislation when
would please the monopolists and then
adjourn Congress and go home as quick
" as possible. There had been such a
movement toward that end. ne declared.
m hot on
and no boundary 10 the demands Of
the money interests.
Just walk into the War and Navy
Departments and help yourselves That
IS the invitation to the monopolists.'
declared Mr.. Daniel They thought
they were going TO get great subsidy
bill. but in that they have been disap-
pointed. They clamored for something
10 be done. and this bill is to be. IN the
opinion OF the Senator from Maine (Mr-
Haie) a sop TO Cerberus. or lictle
placebO."
Some OF the most extended debate was
based upon an amendment proposed by
Mr. Patterson to permit the employ
ment Of certain Chinese who had lived
in this country, and demanded wages
equal to those paid Americans. This
would not have any appreciable effect
y
not have a pauperizing tendency on
Americans.
Millions to Foreigners.
Mr. Elkins was recognized. and argued
an favor OF the bill, saying he believed
Il was a step in the direction Of en-
courag ing American shipping and giving
II its proper place on the seas. He
declared $4,000 a day IS the price paid
Ie of
this country. American bottoms now
handle only per cent OF this trade.
and he urged duty on foreign bottoms
so sthat IL would be advantageous to
shippers to employ American ships.
Mr.. Patterson said II Mr.. Elkins could
persuade his party 10 bring in dis
eliminating duty bill he thought the
Democrats would give. IL favorable con-
sideratlon. The Colorado Senator said
he. for one. was ready now TO vote for
such a bill. but objected to the subsidy
schemes always recommended by the
Republicans. He said such schemes
were only to take money out of the
Treasury and put 1t into the pockets
OF the shipping magnates.
Challenge to Elkins.
IF the Committee on Commerce. OF
which the Senator from West Virginia
i member, viii bring In Dill, con-
tinued Mr.. Patterson, providing for a
reasonable reduction in duties on all
goods brought into American ports in
American vessels. / believe II would
hasten the date OF adjournment"
he then depicted the condition OF the
American sailor as pitiable IN the ex-
IRENE when a man dies" he said,
1.-THE ground is prepared for his body
and more space Is allotted him than IS
given an American sailor in the fore
castle under present laws. He has q
space feet by 2. and feet high. Car
anyone imagine a sailors life under
such conditions
The Patterson amendment was laiC
on the table. on motion OF Mr.. Hale
by vote Of 81 20 j.. The two Cali
fornia Senators voted with the Demo
Gratis on this amendment. in Difference
10 the Chinese interests represented IN
their State.
Speaks for Delay.
Mr.. Mitchell made a strong argumen
in support Of his view that there is no
now sufficient tonnage IN the Pacific L
handle the Philippine trade. He directe
his remarks to the amendment propose