The Washington herald., 1908-04-17

The House yesterday struck out OF the
naval appropriation bill the proviso that
submarine boats. eight OF which are au-
thorized by the measure. shall be of any
presented type agreed
Representative Underwood offered the
amendment which secured this result. and
it was adopted by a close vote. IoS 10 l0i.
party lines disappearing and members
voting strictly according to their indi-
vidual opinions. The elimination Of the
proviso leaves it to the judgment Of the
Secretary Of ,he Navy to purchase any
type of boat which he deems best.
The House ruled out Of the bin on
point Of order the provision for the pur-
chase of subsurface destUyers. a new
type. Of which there are now no exam
pies in the United States navy. Repre-
sentative Hobson made a hard fight for
the retention of this section. but he lost.
Representative Williams, Of Mississippi.
made what is said to have been the Wit
test extemporaneous speech made in the
House in many years. simply talking
against time, in line with the Democratic
fHbuster. which, while it stiH crops up in
spots. seems TO be losing much Of its
virility
A feature If the close Of the debate on
the naval bill was the reply which Rep
@F IA
made TO certain statements which Repre-
sentative Lilley. Of Connecticut, made re-
specting the Mare Island Navy Yard.
Mr. Knowland defended the yard in a
vigorous speech. and characterized Mr..
Liiley's statements as false. Members
crowded about the speaker during his
remarks. apparently anticipating a col
lision, but the only combat was an oral
one. Mr.. LiIley 4iseleir2ed the state
ments as his, and seated that they had
been secured from the Navy Department
records and from the Secretary Of the
Navy.
Committee Programme Holds.
The bin as passed retains the pro-
gramme of construction practically as pre-
pared by the Naval Committee. The single
notable exception was the addition of two
golfers to cost s1.So.ooO. making the
tota sum carried IN the bin S106 oo0,Ooo
Much time was spent in discussing the
authorization of submarine torpedo boats,
/ the net result being The adoption Of a
provision directing the Secretary OF the
! Navy to contract for eight at total Of
| So 10000 Of which 1.00000 was appro-
priated by the bill.
! The bin was passed by the operation Of
a new device to cut of roll calls. When
/ it had been reported to the House from
the Committee of the Whole, AR Foss
chairman of the Naval Committee, moved
+! to suspend the rules. agree 20 the amend
ments made in the committee. and pass
/ the bill. This motion would not have
been in order but for the fact that Il
was still the legislative day Of the first
Monday of the month Under ordinary
conditions yea-anG-nay vote could have
been had on every separate amendment.
williams Gets Floor.
Although it was not so intended, the
principal effect of the motion was TO give
John Sharp Williams. the minority leader
an opportunity TO demonstrate his ability
as an extemporaneous-humer talker,
and the revelation Of his powers in that
direction was electrical. He had often be
fore INDUCED in bits of pleasantly and
Irepartee, TO the great amusement of his
hearers: but yesterday for twenty min
utes. he aroused bursts of laughter and
applause from his delighted listeners. who
crowded shout his place on the floor. No
such scene has been witnessed IN the
House for many years. and while the
speech OF course loses much in print. by
reason of lack Of atmosphere OF the ocea-
sion and the manner Of the speaker il
viii long be regarded as a gem Of purest
Tray serene.
When the motion TO suspend the rules
thad been seconded. Mr.. Williams imputed
IL he did not have twenty minutes for de-
bate
Unfortunately. replied the Speaker.
the rules permit the gentleman TO pro-
ceed for that length of time.
Raising the lid Of his desk and pulling
out a bundle Of manuscript, Mr.. Williams
/ Continued on Page 4, Column