New-York tribune., 1908-04-24
Senate Totes $1,000 900 to Begin
York on Battleshps.
From Tho Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington. April, Ex-senator Hale, chairman or
the Committee on Naval Affairs. amended the
Naval bill to-day by adding provision that f.oN-
600 shall be Immediately available for the con-
structOn OF the two battleships authorized
The consideration of all portions of the bill was
completed and only an amendment onered py
Senator Piles, providing for four instead Of two
ships. went over until tomorrow. Mr.. Beveridse
desires to address the Senate in support OF this
amendment and was unwilling TO &c on when, at
late hour this afternoon. the amendment was
reached There is no likelihood. In the opinion
of the leaders, OF favorable action on this amend
ment- Senator Hale declared that the Senate had
made its mind the subject and that no
speech would alter it's decision but Mr. Bever-
idge has prepared a speech which he wishes TO de-
liver. the final vote the bill was deferred
4 spirited debate occurred amendment re-
stricting the purchase materials for the con-
stTuCtion of the battleships, submarine boats etc.
70 those of domestic manufacture. Mr.. Gore
offered the amendment. he said TO rescue this
country from the tolls OF the Steel Trust which
he regarded as the apevrorm OF the Treasury"
The Steel Corporation. he said. not only held I'D
the country. but it held up the American merchant
marine
Mr.. Bacon also spoke in favor OF eliminating the
provision. as he said. It would force the govern
ment 10 buy at extortionste prices He rernen-
bered he said, hearing the Senator from Maine
Nfr Hale on former occasion say the Steel
Corporation had the opportunity 70 put the knife
into US"
Attempts TO remove the restriction from the bill
were defeated Mr. Hale saying that since the in
vestgation Of the Steel Corporation some years
ago the price Of steel had been reduced from
$50 and $500 s41s ton. and Mr.. Beveridge de
claring that the United States pays less for lis
arrnor plate than any other nation except Japan
A committee amendment offered by Mr.. Hale re
ducing the stipulated speed OF the two feet col
liers from sixreen fourteen knots was adopted
On motion of Mr. Hale the appropriation made
by the House of 81 90 600 toward the construction
Of eight submarine torpedo boats Ues increased to
5000 600, which may be applied toward the com
pletion Of submarine boats hereafter authorized
An amendment appropriaJing s5oo.Go for new
trInk-in battleship hoist proposed by MI. Hale
vas adopted.
The amendment appropriating <G.ono,ooo toward
the construction. ma achinery, arrnor and armament
OF vessels" authorized this bill was adopted
without comment. It having been said yesterday
that this provision would permit prompt beginning
of the construction of the battleships.
The pay Of the enlisted in the hospital corps
Of corresponding rating by a committee amend
rnent which was adopted.
On q point Of order made BY Nj Lodge the
amendment giving staff officers rank on the same
basis as that provided for the staff Of the army,
and providing that command Of vessels shall he
exercised only by line officers, was stricken from
the bill as general legislation.
Irons as a form Of punishment are barred by
an amendment offered by Mr., Nelson, or Mime
sofa Mr. Nelson had g letter read saying that
while irons are supposed TO be elinns ted from the
navy as a form Of punishment they are still used