New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-13
COAL FOR GOVERNMENT.
Privilege Of Buying in Competition
Denied by House.

washington, Feb. 12-An unsuccessful effort
was made in the House to-day to grant 10 the
government the privilege Of buying coal in COM
petition open to the world. for those OF it's naval
vessels which may have to coal IN the Philip
pines, and also TO eliminate that provision OF
the present law which makes it mandatory that
all coal transported to the Philippines even FOR
the navy, must be carried in American bottoms
Although this proposition emanated from the
Democrats. It received the cordial support Of
Chairman Foss who takes the same ground
taken by Senator Spooner in the upper house
yesterday, that the government being in no
sense a competitor Of any individual or industry
and being, further. the representative OF the
whole people IS clearly entitled to grant to itself
privileges which would be inequitable or which
might be inexpedient If granted to private in
dividuals corporations
Underlying the support OF this proposition in
the House is obviously discomfort with the pres
ent tariff, which is regarded as too high bv
numerous protectionists, who declare their be-
lief that the Dingley schedules should be re-
vised. although conceding not one iota Of their
loyalty to the protection principle properly ap-
piled. Tho proposition, which came I'D in the
form OF amendment offered by Representa-
tive Kitchen. of North Carolina. was lost bv q
vote Of 81 to "a, the point of no quorum not
being raised.
Mr. Kitchens amendment read: Provided
that no part Of this appropriation shall be ex-
pended for coal in the Philippine Islands. except
for coal purchased from the lowest bidder and
provided, further, that part of this appro-
priation shall be expended for the transporta-
ton Of coal TO the Philippine Islands except to
the lowest bidders for such transportation in
steam vessels. and to the lowest bidder for such
transportation in sailing vessels whether such
steam and sailing vessels shall be American or
foreign"
While the advocates of the amendment based
their contentious on the allegation that Ameri-
can shipping interests have taken the govern
ment by the throat and are extorting money
from it, the rank and file OF the RepubIIoa nS
would not accept that view. Members from the
extensive coal fields were quick to rise In de-
fence Of their industries In the first place and
TO Join the mass OF Republican members who
believed that the protective principles the party
being assailed. There was also a patriotic
the navy should, in crisis be caught depen-
dent upon foreign countries for coal.
Those most alarmed at the earnestness with
which the proposition was pressed were the adj
vocates of ship subsidy legislation. AS the de-
bate concluded General Grosvenor, who is maxi
ing final stand for ship subsidy, demanded
in a dramatic manner that this blow should
be struck. Chairman Foss was assaed by
the members his side OF the House. and with
some hesitation he replied that they were taking
matters too seriously, this merely applied to
a single appropriation bill. When it came to "a
vote only two Republicans stood by Mr.. FosS
They We're Mr.. Perkins of New York, and Mr.
Crumpacker. Of Indiana, both believing that
they should support the Committee on Naval
Affairs.