Evening star., 1904-02-18
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES..

Mr.. Littauer On. u. from the committee
on appropriations, called up the fortifica-
tions appropriat ton bill when the House
convened today. The House went into
committee of the whole. with Mr. Sherman
On. " in the chair.
Mr. Littauer in explaining the provisions
of the bill, spoke of the changes that had
taken place in the character of armor and
armament since the system of coast forti-
fcations was in1ugurated. adding that the
tendency Is toward the modern rapid-fire
guns on disappearing carriages. When the
system of coast fortifications now under
way Is completed at cost of s14O.0O0.Ooo.
SAID MI Littauer. an annual charge of
$ls.OCOOOO year to maintain and man the
defenses will be required
The Langley Airship.
Mr.. Robinson Qnd) wanted to know II
1t was the purpose of the committee to
continue experiments with the Langley air
ship. and asked il the bill should not be
amended so as to prohibit further expert
nents with the Langley aerodome
Mr. Littauer said he thought such an
amendment would be subject to a point of
order, and added that Congress should
have confidence in the governments board
of experts in the expenditure of the sum
appropriated for experimental purposes as
II ocofiS WiStSl SdlG, 1urCNer, tnat
the board of ordnance and fortification was
of the opinion that If an airship like Mr.
Langley proposed would prove success
1t would be valuable in time Of war. In
turther reply to Mr.. Re lInsOn, Nj. Littauer
said he understood that $25 600 had been
allotted by the board for the experiments
Mr.. BrundIge tArk) thought the aggregate
carried by the bill could be still further re-
duced
Mr.. Hill Comm in political speech
asked what democracy stands for address
ing his inquiries In general to Mr. Williams
tMiss). the minority leader. Calling at
tention to Mr.. Williams statement that the
silver question had been relegated Mr. Hill
said against Mr.. Williams he would pIace
w. j. Bryan. who. he said. has declared
mat the Kansas City platform would be
reaHrmed at st. Louis. In quoting from
Mr.. Cleveland he spoke of him as the most
distinguished democratic President the
country has had
Mr.. Hill said the power had been given
10 the minority leader to name the minor
ity membership Of the committees OF the
Hotise, and he showed what the minority
represented III population. He asked ad-
pressing himself particularly to Mr. VIII
nams. why II was that fifty-seven demo-
cratic districts OF the north had not been
given committee assignments, and why the
democratic vacancy on the ways and
means committee had not been filed for
TWO months. Was 1t. he continued. be-
cause the party was waiting for new DO
hticaI child to be born, and born again
from Tammany Hall? u.aughter.)
Mr.. Williams Replies.
Mr.. Williams replied to Mr. Hill, and
while on the floor took occasion to reply
to statements made by Mr.. C. B. Lands
Qndiana) and Mr.. Burkett (Nebraska).
Referring to the statement of Mr. Landis,
that times began to grow better with Nc
Kinley's election, Mr. Williams said In this
connection that Mckinley was elected be-
cause wheat went up and that wheat did
not 90 up because Mckinley was elected.
Referring to tho structures of Mr. Hill as
70 the minority COMMITTEES appointments
dictated by him. Mr.. Williams said he as
sumed all responsibility for the democratic