Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-04
IN THE HOUSE.
Naval Bill, Carrying Nearly 100000.
600 Is Taken Up.

Washington. May 3.-The naval ap-
preparation bill, which carries nearly
S1OO,OOO.000 for the naval establish
ment, was taken up by the House to-
day.
Beyond the explanation of the bill
by Mr.. Foss. Ills, chairman of the
committee on naval affairs, and the
running fire of questions which his
little interest shown in the earlier part
of the debate.
Toward the close of the day, how
ever, lively colloquy occurred be-
tween Mr.. Bates of Pennsylvania, Mr..
Williams of Mississippi, Mr.. Clark of
Missouri, and Mr.. Payne of New York
over certain statements made by Mr..
Bates in relation to the price of steel
rails. The discussion took on a wide
tariff range. a forerunner of still
further tariff discussion as the session
nearS its close.
1t is expected that general debate
will run tomorrow. the bill being taken
up by sections on Saturday.
Littlefeld Me..l presented a resolu-
ton authorizing the committee on ex-
penditulcS of the agricultural depart
ment to send for persons and papers in
the proposed investigation Of that de-
partment.
Williams (MissD. reServing the right
was important it was not half as i'm
portant as providing schools for the
children of the Indian Territory, as
contemplated in the statehood bill. AS
he objected the resolution went over.
Foss UllD, then moved that the
House resolve itself into the commit
tee of the whole for the consideration
of the naval appropriation bill.
Williams called for division on the
vote and then raised the point of no
quorum. The doors We're ordered clos
ed and the sergeant at arms was Or
dered to bring in the absentees
Almost an hour was consumed be-
fore quorum was reported present,
the final vote on going into the COM
mittee on the whole being: Ayes 21S.
noes, none.
Foss Gll). chairman of the naval
committee. said in explaining the pro-
visions of the bill. that it carried SCI
OVV iSro lilctii ttSho'l ipl Wy ttic nav dt
partment and was very considera bly,
less than appropriated in last years
bill.
Tho navy department asked for 3000
additional men. but the committee af-
ter exhaustive hearings decided to pro-
vide for the present quota of $1,000 men
the prosperous times making it difficult
to enlist men in the navy as the re-
wards for labor are much greater in
civil life.
Of the II 600 men seeking enlistment
last year. $4,000 were rejected, said
FOss. Getting rid of the foreign Gle
ment, as he called it, was the partic-
ular aim Of the department. AS a re-
suit Is per cent. of the petty officers
are now citizens of the United States
and 20 per cent. Of the enlisted men arc
naturalized
"Never has tho navy been in Sc
splendid condition as now" said Foss
"and its spirit has never beer
cQu1llcd.'
Foss said that the highest naval opin-
ion Of the world. growing out of the re-
cent naval conflict between Japan and
| Russia. was that the battIeship was tn,
real fighting ship.
Williams raised the point of "no quo.
rum" Within a few minutes quorum
| was counted.
''The building of a great battlcship.'
said Foss, in conclusion. means notice
to al til" world that we propose to look
after our interests not only at home
but wherever our interests may be
! here or on another continent
Again, Williams suggested the alb
scnce of a quorum and the business OF
| the House stopped until the absentees
were brought in. Debate on the nava
| bill proceeded listlessly. After some
! further debate the naval appropriation
| bill was laid aside and at 5.15 the House
adjourncd until tomorrow