The Savannah morning news., 1904-02-27
HOUSE PASSED
THE NAVAL BILL
WAS 4 WEEK OF TALKING
BEFORE THE MEASURE FINALLr
REACHED A VOTE.

Democrats Lined Up Against the Re-
publicans in Supporting Several
Amendments to the BiII-One Re-
lated to ArmOr Plate and the High
Price the Administration Pays for
It-Rixey Wanted to Limit the
Price to $39s "a Ton.
Washington, Feb. 26.-The House
passed the Naval Appropriation bill
to-day after having had it under con-
sideration for week.
There was a party contest on a num-
Der of propositions during the day, es-
pecially on an effort of different mi
nority members to secure an amendment
to fix the price of armor plate at The
figure bid by the Midvale Steel Com
pany Several amendments were rul-
ed out on points of order, and the
Republican leaders by skilful parlia-
mentary tactics left the matter Of
armor plate in the discretion of the
Secretary of the Navy.
An Intellectual attempt was made to
have the eight-hour law applied to all
ship construction.
The contest over submarine boats
was quite exciting and an amendment
finally was adopted which leaves the
question to the type of boat open. but
increases the amount of the appropria-
ton for such boats.
The minority under Mr.. Meyers
leadership failed to secure a record vote
on the proposition to recommit with
instructions, the proposed Instructions
being declared out of order.
For More Torpedo Boats.
Mr.. Roberts of Massachusetts advo-
Gated an increase in the number Of
torpedo boats from two to five, quoting
Admiral Dewey in favor of his pro-
posal and urging trial of boats of
certain type.
w. w. Kitchin of North Carolina
spoke for the Roberts amendment.
which was finally voted down.
Mr.. Rixey of Virginia proposed an
amendment authorizing the Secretary
of the Navy to contract for armor at
price not to exceed 1898 a ton, and be-
ing unable to contract at that price,
to construct an armor plate factory on
ground owned by the government, s4,-
100000 being appropriated for the pur-
pose.
Mr.. Dalzell raised a point of order
against this amendment and the point
of order was sustained.
Mr.. Rixey proposed another amend
ment fixing the maximum to be paid
for armor at 1898, and in support of
this he cited the award for armor
where the Midvale Company was given
a contract for 5000 tons at that price.
and the Carnegie and Bethlehem COM
panies 5000 tons each at s453 a ton.
Plate Too Costly.
w. w. Kitchn of North Carolina,
citing the recent award of armor con-
| tracts to Carnegie and Bethlehem COM
panies 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 Midvale Company. He
said the Secretary was incapable of
meeting the question.
Mr.. Dalzell offered a substitute
amendment, providing that the Sec
rotary be authorized to procure con-
tracts for armor at a price which, in
his judgment, is just and reasonable.
| BY a party division Of 1873 to 101 the
substitute amendment was adopted,
displacing the amendment offered by
Mr.. Rixey fixing the limit of cost of
armor.
Mr.. Hitchcock of Nevada tried to
secure an amendment prohibiting the
payment of money for armor plate to
any trust or trade conspiracy, but his
amendment was defeated by practi-
cally a party vote.
The House, after passing the bill,
adjourned until tomorrow.