The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-28
THE NAVAL BILL PASSED.
Mr.. Kitchin CritIcises the Secretary of
the Navy for Unwise Action.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington Feb. 2o-The House passed
the Naval Appropriation Bill today after
having it under consideration for a week
There was a party contest on number
of propositions during the day. especially
on an effort of different minority members
to secure an amendment to fix the price
of armor plate at the figure bid by the
Midvale Steel Company. Several amend
ments were ruled out on points of order,
and the Republican leaders. by skillful
parliamentary tactics left the matter of
armor plate in the discretion of the Secre
tary Of the Navy. An Intellectual attempt
was made to have the eight hour law ap-
piled to all ship construction The con-
test over submarine boats was quite ex-
citing and an amendment finally was
adopted, which leaves the question OF the
type OF boat open. but increases the
amount of the appropriation for such
boats. The minority under Mr.. Meyers
leadership, failed to secure a record vote
on the proposition to recommit with in
structions, the proposed instructions be-
ing declared out of order.
Mr.. Roberts (Mass.) advocated an in
crease in the number of torpedo boats
from two TO FIVE, quoting Admiral Dewey
in favor of his proposal and urging trial
of boats of a certain type. w. w. Kltchln
On. c. spoke for the Roberts amendment,
which was finally voted down.
Mr.. Rixey (Va.) proposed an amend
ment authorizing the Secretary of the
Navy to contract for armor at price not
to exceed 1898 ton and being unable to
contract at that price to construct an
armor plate factory on the ground owned
by the government, 600 being APP
propriated for the purpose.
Mr. Dalzell raised a point of order
against this amendment, and the point
of order was sustained.
Mr.. Rixey proposed another amendment
fixing the maximum to be paid for armor
at 1898 and in support of this he cited the
award for armor. where the Mdvale Com
pany was gwen contract for 5000 tons
at that price, and the Carnegie and
Bethlehem companies 5000 tons each at
1853 a ton.
w. w. Kitchin IN. c. citing the recent
award of armor contracts to Carnegie and
Bethlehem companies at an advance OF
$55 per ton over the bid of the Midvale
Company, said the Secretary of the Navy
had exercised his discretion unwisely in
not giving the contract for all the armor
to the Mdyale Company. He SAID the
Secretary was incapable of meeting the
question Mr.. Dalzell offered a substitute
amendment providing that the Secretary
be authorized to procure contracts Tor
armor at price which, in his judgment,
is Just and reasonable By a party di-
vision of 1873 to 101 the substitute amend
ment was adopted, displacing the amend
ment offered by Mr.. RiXey, fixing the limit
of cost of armor
Mr. Hitchcock New tried to secure an
amendment prohibiting the payment OF
money Tor armor plate 10 any trust or
trade combination. but his amendment was
defeated by practically party vote
The House, after passing the bill adj
journed until tomorrow.
Washington Feb. 26.-The Senate today
considered at some length the bill re-
curing the use of American ships IN car
rying government supplies. but adjourned
for want of quorum without reaching
action upon it, The bill was criticised By
Democratic Senators as being in the ma
ture of subsidy, but Mr.. Hale, who was
in charge of the measure, defended it
against this attack and championed it in
the interest of American shipping. Sena-
tors Daniel Bacon. Carmack and Others
took part IN the discussion.
Mr.. Daniel suggested a provision to the
effect that charges by American vessels
shall not exceed by more than 10 per cent
the minimum bids of foreign vtssels for
carrying the same freight. No action was
taken on the suggestion.
The Senate adjourned until tomorrow