The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-05-17
WORK OF CONGRESS.
IN THE HOUSE.

The House on the 9th adopted an amend
ment 10 the naval appropriation bill giving
the secretary of the navy the right to pur-
chase anchors, chains and cordage In the
free markets should 1t be demonstrated that
they could be obtained from manufacturers
cheaper than they could be made at govern
ment navy yards Attempts were made to
limit the cost of transporting coal from AT.
iantic and Gulf ports TO the Philippine
Islands III American bottoms TO 50 or S6 Il
ton. Both propositions were lost These
features of the bill took up nearly all of the
session before the House adjourned until
next day.
The House on the 10th continued the con
sideration of the naval appropriation biil
and decided to purchase shells ana other
prOJectiles in the open market instead OF
III secret markets, as has been the custom.
The action on the part of the House was
the result of the endeavors of Mr.. Tawney
of Minnesota. who introduced the amend
ment An amendment offered by Mr. keli-
her of Massachusetts was adopted prohibit
Ing naval recruiting officers from enlistins
seamen, ordinary seamen or apprentices un-
less their application Is accompanied by a
certificate of birth and written evidence
other than the applicants own statement
that he is of the age required by naval reg
ulations The debate on this am, ndment
extended over much of the session, and at
times grew decidedly animated and acri-
monious Adjourned until the next day
After passing 800 pension bills on the 1ltn
IN the record period of an hour ana half,
the House devoted much time to consider
ing Il point of order against an appropria-
tion for Il new steel floating drydock, con-
tanned in the naval appropriation blll. The
point was sustained by the chair. Mr..
Hepburn made vigorous attack upon the
court martial system of the navy and critl-
csed officers responsible for the accidents
which have happened to warships. y point
of order against the appropriation for the
naval training station at Lake Bluff, H.,
was PENDING when adjournment until Mon
day was taken.
The House had under consideration on
the 18th bills relating to the government
of the District of Columbia. 1t completed
the bills reorgauizing the Washington public
school system. The House adjourned. the
absence of quorum postponinE action on
the bills under consideration. These bills
Will be taken up at the next session.
The House on the 10Th voted to transfer
from the district commissioners To the su.
preme court of the district Of Columbia the
power to appoit the board OF education If
Washington The naval appropriation bin
was then taken up. The employment of Il
consulting architect To prepare plans for
the naval station ut Lake Bluff, ILL.,, was
authorized. An amendment of Mr.. Tawpcy
to limit repairs on ship to 10 per cent of
the cost was defeated 10y a vote of 80 to -.
after two hours debate. In which IL was
charged that millions of dollars ar" now
spent Ivy the navy department without an
accounting on repair work which often
amounts to reconstruction of ships, when
the section dealing with the increase Of the
navy was reached the House adjourned
until the next day.