The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-04-24
SENATE AMENDS Naval BILL,
The Amendment Increasing the Number Of
Battleshlps viii Come Up To-day.

Battleships Will Come Up To-day
WASHINGTON, April 2S.-The Senate con-
sidered the Naval Appropriation bill for
nearly four hours to-day, but did not take
up the question Of new battleships for dis
cussion. That feature Of the bill will be
debated at engthto-morrow and the amend
ment offered to-day by Senator Piles Of
Washington increasing the number Of
battleships to be authorized this year from
two TO four will be voted on. Senator Hale
predicted that 1t would be voted down.
Most Of the important amendments made
to the House bill by the Senate committee
were adopted. The amendment giving
increased pay to the officers and enlisted
men was adopted after Chairman Hale had
assured Senator Warren, chairman Of the
Committee on Military Affairs, that he
would use his efforts in the conference to see
that the navy increase did not exceed the
increases given for the corresponding ser
vice in the army, As the amendment was
passed to-day there il a considerable in
crease In navy over army pay
Senator Burkett Of Nebraska added an
amendment to the billappropriating tSOO,O 900
for a new iron foundry.
The amendment prepared by Mr.. Hale
giving to officers OF the various stan corps
actual rank and title as now established
for the staff corps Of the army but pro-
viding that it should mot carry command
over any vessel" was knocked out on a
point OF order raised by Senator Lodge OF
Massachusetts,.
Mr.. Hale expressed regret. He said that
he had hoped TO settle finally the friction
between the staff and the line by the amend
ment he had offered, the most recent exam
pie Of which had been the conflict growing
out Of the detail Of a surgeon TO command
a hospital ship.
An amendment offered by Senator Nelson
Of Minnesota, abolishing the use OF irons
as a method of punishment In the navy,
was promptly adopted.
Mr.. Hale added $1,000, 900 10 the bill for
construction work on new ships authorized,
pursuant to the notice he gave yesterday.
He also provided $4,000 for new ammunl-
ton hoists.
An effort was made by Senators Gore Of
Oklahoma and Bacon Of Georgia 10 amend
the bill 70 permit the Secretary OF the Navy
to buy materials for battleshlps in any mar
ket Of the world to avoid the -eNtortlons OF
the Steel Trust, " which MIR, Gore charac-
terized as the -tapewOrm OF the Treasury
The amendments were rejected.
An amendment offered by Senator john
ston Of Alabama aud accepted by Senator
Hale authorized the expenditure OF 100000
for a new destroyer Of the semi-submerged
or subservice type,
AS matters stand tonight there Is not
the slightest prospect that President hoose-
welt will win his fight to get Congress to
appropriate money for the construction
OF four battleships. Canvasses made to-day
by those who favor four vessels and those
who believe that the two covered ny the
bill are enough show that the Presidents
supporters will muster less than 30 votes
out Of a membership Of 90. II is expected
that twenty-five Republicans and two
Democrats will vote for four battleships.
Senator Beveridge will lead the Presl-
dents fight for four battleships and will
have as l%ieutenants Senators Piles Of Wash
ington, Flint Of California and Clapp Of
Minnesota.