The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-02
ITEM FOR PHILADELPHIA
Is STRICKEN FROM BILL
Virginia congressman Successful In
Fight Against s20O.00O
Appropriation.
IN INTEREST OF NEWPORT NEWS
Pennsylvania Representatives Rctnliato
by objccting TO Money for Revolving
Crane mt Norfolk fard.
Especial to The T.mes-D.spatch. ]


Washington. May 1.--Contlnuing
of Representatives. to havo stricken
from the bill the Items to appropriate
100000 for slip and equipment at
the Philadelphia Navy-Yard, and
S14S 900 for similar purpose at the
Boston yard, the Virginia delegation
to-day succeeded in having the FniI-
adelphia item stricken from the bill.
The purpose OF the opposition was
to gain. If possible. the award TO tho
Newport News yard for constructing
ono of the ships for which the Nir-
ginla yard made the lowest bid. Dc
spite the low bid, Secretary Danicls
awarded the contract to the l'hiladel-
phia and Boston yards, although be-
fore they can begin construction IL Is
necessary to build slips and equipment,
the appropriation for which the Nir-
yinia delegation is contcsting. With
the item stricken out for Philadelphia,
It II impossible to build the transport
there, and Newport News may get tho
contract award.
As retaliatory measure tho Phil
adelphia Congressman objected to tho
item in the bill appropriating $780,
600 Tor floating revolving crane for
the Norfolk Navy Yard. on the ground
that ny increasing, the sum from $780,
year, the item was new legislation.
! The objection was sustained and the
item thrown out Senator's Martin and
Swanson declared they will insert the
Norfolk item when II reaches the Sen
ate.
II is also probable the Philadelphia
Item Will be inserted in the Senate.
and agreed to. In that event the
House will have TO swallow both items
whole when the bin comes out OF con-
ference, and the portracted contest
will serve no practical purpose
Boston Item stands.
A determined. but unsuccessful, fight
Was made yesterday by the Virginia
delegation in the House to have strick-
ca from the naval appropriation bill
the items providing sl4S.o00 to build 4
Slip and equipment for the Boston
was reached In the bill, Congressinan
Jones raised Il point of order against
it or the ground that 1t was new leg
islation. aud. therefore, had no place
in this bill He argued at length
against the item. explaining that IL
had been made necessary by the action
OF Secretary Daniels in awarding to
Tho Boston Navy-Yard Il contract to
! build a supply ship, although the New
! port News shipbuilders had made n
lower bid. The awarding of the con-
tract To the Boston yard, he declared
. y,
cause In addition to this item asked
for to-day many other expenses in
connection with tho construction
would come out OF the national treas
ur%, although NOT appearing as actual
expense OF construction. In explain
ing MS objections he went over ths
whole controversy between the New
ror; News shipyards and Secretary
Daniel, growing out of the award to
Boston.
Congressman Saunders took I'D and
ably handled the legal side of the mar
iiamcntary part of the point OF order.
saunders is admitted to be one of the
| ablest parliamentarians in tho House.
and efforts OF the various members
from Massachusetts and PENNSYLVANIA
TO argue against the point OF order
were fruitlcss in the face OF Saun-
dcrSs argument.
No sooner did Congressman Ben
johnson. acting as chairman. sustain
the objection made by Saunders than
the Massachusetts Congressman intro
duced the item In another form. Thus,
iiVo or six amendments were offered
ana, following objection and argument.
We're ruled out, until finally Johnson
had split hairs so finely and so tangled
himself up In his parliamentary rul.
ings that he declared In order an
Amendment providing for new ap-
preparation of the sum desired by the
Boston yard.
Johnson caused surprise by dcclar-
ing that the last amendment, although
diifcrent In wording from the pre-
Nious ones. had the Same intent. and
therefore was in order
II was generally admitted BY all
present In the House. except the Mas
sach''setts and Pennsylvania Congress-
men mat dohnaon's ruling was wrong;
but an appeal from the chair wouId
nave nctil useless. c. II NJ