Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-08
THENAVAABILL PASSED
PRICE OF AMOR PLATE DIS
CUssED IN THE SENATE.
Senator Bacon Claims That the Govern.
ment Has Abjectly Surrendered
Army Bill Taken Up.

The Senate yesterday passed the naval
appropriation bill. which has been before
it for the past four Or five days, and then
proceeded to the confederation of the army
bill.
The principal question debated in con-
nection with the naval bill was that Of the
price and method of supplying armor plate
for battle ships. and it grew out of an
amendment suggested by Mr.. Patterson
providing for &c government armor plant.
He ultimately withdrew the amendment.
but offered several others. all of which
were laid on the table
In speaking of the continued growth of
the navy, Mr. Patterson said the compile
ton of the naval program would place the
United States ahead of Germany and
Russia in actual tonnage. and ahead of
France and next to Great Britain in eff
fective fighting tonnage. land my judg-
men," he continued. lis that American sem
timent will not permit the United States at
any time In the future to fall behind in it's
naval power any nation that it has passed.
When this program is completed we will
be next to Great Britain. and ] have no
hesitation in saying that American seIiti-
ment will not only justify but it will re-
quire the United States to continue Sec
ond to Great Britain
Mr.. Patterson discussed the Philippine
question, saying that while he did not be-
lieve in holding the Philippines he was of
opinion that the majority of the people
were against him and that therefore the
day was far distant when the people of
that archipelago would be given their free
dom.
Mr.. Teller took the position that the
United States should have a navy ade-
Quate to the protection of our national in
terests. but he failed to see the urgent
need for extensive additions and expressed
the opinion that no more ships should be
ordered until we completed those that were
now in process of construction.
Mr.. Bacon did not accept the view of
Mr.. Patterson as to the retention Of the
Philippines. saying that he hoped the con-
science of the American people would be
aroused over the injustice of the present
situation.
An AFFECT Surrender.
Speaking to the armor plate question.
Mr.. Bacon said that this government had
utterly and abiectly surrendered to the ar
NOR makers. leaving them to charge their
own prices without effort on it's part to
make armor for itself.
Mr.. Allison said that the appropriation
for armor and armament In the pending
bill did not apply to the ships authorized
by the bill. but was general provision APP
plying to vessels already authorized If
provision for the purchase of arlnor for the
ships under way was not Incorporated in
the bill there would be no armor for them.
Mr.. Patterson said he had no disposition
to interfere with the provision for armor
for the ships now building and he with
drew his amendment and substituted an
other, in the language of the naval appro-
priation act of 1900. providing that if ar
NOR could not be secured at Just and rea-
sonable rates the government should erect
an armor factory at a cost of not to ex-
coed S4.0oO.OO0. On motion of Mr.. Hale
the amendment was laid on the table.
Mr.. Patterson then moved amendments
limiting the price to be paid for armor
plate to $500 a ton; prohibiting purchase of
armor from trusts. and fixing an eight
hour day for work on the armor provided
for. All of them were laid on the table.
The bill was then passed.
The Army Bill Taken Up.
The army appropriation bill was imme-