Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-25
58TH CONGRESS.
Storm Centers Encountered in
the Lower Branch.
All Over Consideration Of the Naval
Appropriations Bill.
Discussion Of Agricultural Bill in the
Senate.

Washington, Feb. 24.-Two storm
centers were encountered in considera-
ton of the naval appropriation in the
House. today.
First, the Great Lakes training sta
ton went out of the bill OH a point of
order after a wordy battle. The build
ing program proposed in the bill then
met criticism and blocked further pro-
sress of the measure for the day. Bur-
ton OF Ohio, the echoes of whose sensa-
tional speech for peace on Monday. had
hardly died out, moved to strike out the
provision for the single battleship au-
thorized. This motion is now pending.
1t served as a text. after Burton had
supplemented his Mondays speech with
figures showing that the United States
was building more naval vessels than
any other European country except
Great Britain, for several Republican
speeches in which Burton was declared
not to be in line with his party.
In the event of the defeat of this
motion and the acceptance of the whole
building program, a movement. Is to
be made, tomorrow, by Representative
Meyer Of louisiana, to have the bill
recommitted to the naval committee
with the following instructions:
First, to provide for a coaling sta
ton and dock at Olongapo. P. l.. i'm
stead Of naval station.
Second, to eliminate the provision for
two armored cruisers and the armor
thereof, costing S15.000.000.
Third. to place limit Of 1898 per
ton as a maximum price for armor
plate, with the provision for an arrnor
>v,< IF ha L n M
$4,000. 900 If the ar1nor cannot be pro-
cured within the limit prescribed.
Fourth. that all vessels herein pro-
vided for under the head Of increase
Of the navy" except the battleship. be
constructed in government navy yards.
The House, today. resumed consid-
Grafton Of the naval appropriation bill.
and Cooper continued his fight against
the provision for a naval training sta
ton on the Great Lakes.
Burton Ohio, moved to strike from
the bill the authorization for a new
battleship. In speaking Of this amend
ment Burton resented criticisms which
he said had been made against Aim for
his speech on Monday against the pro-
posed naval program. 1t had been said
that he was out of line with the Re-
publican party. This he denied vigor-
ously. He justified his position by
comparing the battleship construction.
this year. with that of other nations OF
the world In naval expenses. the
United States was, he said. with the
exception of Great Britain. so per cent.
ahead of any European nation.
yet we are asked to appropriate for
another battleship." he added.
Roberts. Mass. quoted President
Roosevelt as saying:
THE American people must tread
softly. but carry a big club" and main
tanned that this Club" was a big navy.
Maynard. Va. advocated even
larger building program than was con-
tanned in the bill. 4
Vreeland, N. Y. Republican MEM
Der of the naval committee. declared
Burton to be out of line not only with
his own party. but with the best senti-
ment Of all parties Of the American
people.
Butler. Pa, put a number OF news
paper editorials on record in favor OF
a larger navy" and took Burton Sc
verely to task for what he said was
his first demonstration Of opposition
to a program he had supported hereto
FORE
Grosvenor. Ohio. criticised Burton's
position. He read the plank of the
navy in the Ohio Republican platform
of 1903. on which, he said. the late la
mented Senator Hanna was so trium-
phantly endorsed.
This plank, he said. Burton had en-
dOrsed. or at least he had not repudi-
ated it. It read:
las Americas part in preserving the
peace of the world, we endorse the Re-
publican policy of developing the
United States navy to the highest eff
cheney.
This was received with applause.
He appealed to the Democrats:
Don't forsake the only good thing
there is In your record. Don't 90 or
after new ideas. You started on on
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