Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-24
Goth CONGRESS.
CONTINUED from Page One.)

concerns in the United States and
when the time came to bid they would
have combined and the country by
law would be at the mercy of the
trust.
Money offered an amendment provid-
ing that the material for the new
ships shall be of domestic manufac-
ture but permitting it to be purchased
abroad He explained that it was well
known that American goods We're sold
cheaper abroad than in this country
He wanted the government to take adj
vantage of that cheapness.
Hale said that as worded, the bill
would permit just what the Mississippi
senator contended for, and the amend
nlcnt was withdrawn.
I.everidge insisted that he had re-
liable figures showing that the United
States pays less for it's steel plate
tor battieships than any other nation
OF the world except Japan.
Eeplying to question, Hale said
the United States was paying $416 a
ton for it's armor and that Germany
paid $3.50, France $500 and England s625
per ton.
Hale insisted that the investigation
of the steel Trust" some years ago
brought about 4 reduction of the price
for armor from $3.50 and $500 to $416
per ton.
A committee amendment proposed by
Hale reducing the stipulated speed of
the two feet GOLFERS from 10 to ii
knots was adopted.
On motion of Hale the appropriation
Ia, &c f,yx n
the construction of eight submarine
torpedo boats was increased to $1,000
0u0, which may be applied toward the
completion of submarine boats here
tOfore authorized.
An amendment appropriatiEg $50q-
900 for new trunk-in battleshlp
hoist" proposed by Hale was adopted,
An amendment was agreed TO APP
propriating 100000 toward the con.
struction, the machinery, armor and
armament of vessels" authorized in
this bill. This action was taken with
out comment, it having been stated
yesterday that such provision would
permit prompt beginning of the con-
struction of the new battleshipS.
The bay of the enlisted men in the
hospital corps of the navy is made the
same as that of seamen of correspond
ing rating by committee amendment
which was adopted.
On a point of order made by Lodge,
the committee amendment given nav
al staff officers rank on the same basis
as that provided for the staff of the
army and providing that command of
vessels shall be exercised by line Off
GERS was stricken from the bill as gen.
eral legislation.
On the motion of Dick Ohio. the bill
was amended SO as to allow six
months pay to the heirs of officers and
men of the navy dying in the service.
Irons as a form of punishment"
are barred from the navy by provi-
sion inserted in the bill by Nelson of
Mimi Nelson had letter read saying
that while irons are supposed to be
abolished from the navy as punish
ment they are still used. When the
bill had been nearly completed, Senator
Piles of Washington offered an amend
ment, increasing the number of battle
ships from two to four, asking at the
same time that the final considera
ton of the measure be postponed until
tomorrow
Hale believed the Senate had made
up its mind about that matter but
as two or three senators desired to
speak OF the subject, he preferred
postponing consideration of the
amendment until tomorrow.