New-York tribune., 1909-02-16

HALE TALKS OF EXPENSE.
ProUision Forbidding Purchase of
Trust P01cder Discussed.
tFrom The Tribune Bureau. J

Washington. Feb 15.-Tne Senate devoted its en-
tire legislative day to q discussion of the naval
appropriation BILL and then very little prog
ress was made This due to the unusual in
terest displayed by Senators La Toilette, Dixon
: Newlands and others and to the questions put by
certain Democrats, all OF which kept Senator Hale
in charge OF the bill, continually explaining its
provisions.
Some interesting facts bought out in the
debate, as. for instance, when Senator Hale saiG
tnat the cost of the military establishment was
increasing in inverse proportion the revenues
that the navy had cost the country last year S22-
oo0Ooo that this year the cost would be increased
TO 57,oO0o0 that next it would be s160oco0Oo
and he ventured tc assert that IN 1911 the cost
would be not less than 5000 10000
This means that it will soon be the unacceptable
duty of Congress either to borrow money or great
" increase the taxes said MI Hale. He added
that IL impossible TO get the votes In the
Senate to cut the appropriations for the navy
and that the alarming of the situation
that the revenues We're steadily falling of
There was extended debate over provision in
serted by the which forbids the Secretary OF
the Navy to purchase powder from manufacturers
constitute combination IN restraint Of trade,
except in emergency. Mr. Hale admitted that
feared the provision useless. and that, in his
opinion. there sufficient manufacturers
outside the combination 10 supply the demands OF
the navy.
Mr. Hale said that Of three million pounds of
powder used annually about one-thrd was made
by the government, the remainder being purchased.
He thought II wise to build up factories for the
manufacture OF powder by private firms in different
parts OF the country, well at a government
shop.
Mr. Hale pointed 10 the lower price for powder
fixed by the bill. being 81 cents a pound. compared
with SO cents paid last year Mr.. Hale said the
navy was now burning up powder in quantities that
In the past would have been considered sufficient for
a war.
Several Senators made suggestions respecting
amendments that may be offered provide ade-
Quate facilities for the manufacture of all the pow
der needed by the navy in government factories.
where, Mr.. Tillnlan said powder could be made for
zS cents a pound.
When the appropriations for navy yards were
reached Senator Newlands proposed that the
organization and general charge OF the navy be
committed 10 commission to be composed 'of
such eminent business men a Judge Gary. Henry
c. Frick and others Of similar ability" and quoted
the Senator from Maine as admitting year ago
that It was poor policy TO go constructing bat
tleships when there inadequate feet OF col
ners. Mr.. Newlands became radical in his pro-
positions that Senator Bacon finally suggested that
the shortest way to effect the reforms he proposed
would be to amend the Constitution BY abolishing
the Senate and House and leaving all legislation 20
executive commissions
The debate then turned political navy yards
and Senators Dixon and La Toilette quoted the
ideas. and IN instances the text, OF recent
magazine article harshly criticising construction
at navy yards Senator Lodge sprang to the de-
obvious that Portsmouth was the real object Of
attack. and Senator Gallinger took up the cudgels
in its defence. Senator TIllman Jumped up de-
fend the Charleston navy yard. and even Senator
McEnery, who rarely takes part ia debate. de
Tended vigorously the yard at New Orleans.
Mr.. Hale defended the appropriations for navy
yards, saying that while in fourteen years the
United States had spent S5l.015.c64 such works
Great Britain had spent IN the time
its navy yards In this bill only 81, $4,000. ne
said. for navy yards 1t true, he ad
United, that only three of these yards could
dock the % OO0ton battleships provided for In the
pending BILL but that was because there had
been any idea that there would be such great ships
Mr. Clay said that four years ago the Senate was
told 10y Mr.. Hale that the programme for naval
increase for battlesIip annually.
Mr. Hale replied that, while what Mr.. Clay said
was true. it mighty hard work last year
10 prevent the authorization OF four such battle
ships.
The whole country. he continued. lis IN
frIrore and fever the circumnavigation of the
globe by our navy" and he added that under such
conditions il was difficult cheek such approprla
tons
Finally, Senator Hale said. in answer 10 Mr. La
FolIatte: The Senator all wrong. Evidently
some naval officer has misIed him He has got
hold of a lot of figures which he does not under
stand
Mr. Hale ghen asked that the bill be laid aside
until tomorrow but declared that If 1t was impos-
srnle to dispose CT It tomorrow he would insist
on holding a night session to complete the work