Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-23
PASSED THE SENATE
Action on Bill to Control the
Canal Zone.
NAVAL BILL REPORTED
AN INCREASE OF S422, $50 OVER
THE HOUSE MEASURE.
House Agrees to Retiring Senator
Hawley as a General-Rivers
and Harbors Considered.

The Senate met today at II o'clock. I'm
mediately Mr. Hale from the committee
on naval affairs reported the naval appro-
priation bill. saying that as soon as the
other business of the Senate would permit
he would ask that it be taken up for con-
sideration.
The bill as agreed upon by the Senate
committee. carries 800 1896, $40. an increase
of 500 go over the House bin. For public
works a Portsmouth, n. H.. an increase
of S114 100 is made. The Brooklyn navy
yard is changed to New York navy yard.
For increasing the number of petty officers
and men Of the Marine Corps $305ooO is
added.
The limit of cost of each of the Golfers
and scout cruisers authorized by the last
naval appropriation bill is increased 10
81 5000 and 81 600 900, respectively. The
limit of cost of the sailing training vessels
authorized by the act of March >, 1898, Is
Increased to $40. 600 each.
A provision was inserted authorizing the
Secretary of the Navy to bring suit for the
purpose of obtaining judicial determination
of the validity of United States patents
covering 4 process for treating armor plate
known III the Harvey process.
Mr.. Foster (Wash) presented the creden-
tials of Mr. Samuel II. Piles. his successor
In office.
To End the Swavne Irlal.
Mr. Hales resolution directing the ter
.nination of the Swayne trial by next Sat
nrday again went over. and Mr.. Platt
Comm. chairman of the special committee
having the trial in charge. explained that
the outlook fo- an early close of the pro-
ceeding was good. He added thai the man
ayers on the part of the House and counsel
for Judge Swayne are expected to reach an
close the by the END OF
the week, and he thought that result would
be attained unless the Senate itself should
want time to discuss the matter before
voting on 1t.
Control of Canal Zone.
The Panama canal bill was then taken
up but there was some difficulty in OBJ
tanning unanimous consent to proceed with
its consideration on account of the pres
sure to secure time to consider the appro-
priation bills.
Mr.. Stewart in charge of the Indian bill
manifested much Impotence. and Mr.. Pen
rose, chairman of the post office committee
said that he would be compelled to object
If there to be delay.
Mr.. Kittredge, in charge of the canal bill
and other supporters of the measure urged
that as it was an emergency measure II
should have immediate attention, and gave
assurance that it would be passed in hve
minutes.
In accordance with tnlS aSSufdIlCe MI
McComas withdrew his amendment requir-
ing canal supplies to be carried in Ameri-
can vessels.
Mr. Morgan offered an amendment pro-
hibiting the President from filling vacan-
2 cies in the canal commission when Con-
=. gress is not in session, and spoke in sup
port of it, saying that there is no occa-
sion for panic legislation in connection with
the canal zone" the Spooner act and the
treaty of acquisition being sufficient for
that purpose. He said he hoped that the
present members of the committee would
live 70 hold their places until the canal
should be completed which would insure
their remaining for at least fifty years.
Skeptical About the Canal.
Mr. Morgan discussed the salaries and
emoluments paid to the present commits
sioners, referring especially to the provis-
ion giving them S15 per day for expenses
on the isthmus in addition to their salaries
Considering their aptitude for taking bi-
conversation as instanced in the case OF
railroad directors meetings, 1 wonder that
they haven't taken their lives in the1I
hands and remained on the isthmus all the
time in order to secure the extra $40 pei
day' he said.
MIR. Morgan declared his belief that the
canal never would be built.
The Canal Bill Passed.
MT. Morgan's amendment was rejected.
An amendment authorizing the purchase
rather than the condemnation of the re-
manning stock of the Panama Railroad
Company was offered by Mr.. Teller and &C
cepted
Mr. Bailey discussed the Teller amend
rnent at some length and while he was
Speaking he was interrupted by Mr.. Nor
gan, who said that the canal contractors
were already known.
When Mr. Bailey finished the canal bill
was passed.