New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-02
THE PHILADELPHIA NAVY-YARD.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION
FRAUD BROUGHT TO LIGHT - MEsSRs
L.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION
FRAUD BROUGHT TO LIGHT - MEsSRs.
ROACH d co.
The Report OF the Committee appointed by
Congress to investigate the alleged frauds In the purchase
OF tools and machinery for the Philadelphia NavyYard
has Just been published by The Philadelphia Erening
Tie Committee consisting OF WIN. D. Kelly, A. F. Ste
and T. w. Ferry, report that they proceeded to
Philadelphia under instruction OF the House OF Repro
sentAtvCs inquire into the regularity legality OF
the purchase Of paung and rivetng machines Cameron
pumps, and tools, aud machinery generally, by Theodore
They made personal examination OF the tools veting
machine, and pumps in question: together with the build
lngs IN which they were placed or Intended 10 Va placed
They also examined the following named persons rs wit
nesscs Godsein draug htsman the department Of
James p siunn Clerk Of the department OF steam eng
neerng George r. Johnson chief engineer United States
Navy duty inspector Of material, or Inspecting
engineers David Henbessy, late quarleTman OF the
chine shop; Wm A. PaPier present. qIarteTman OF the
sey. and Joseph i. COnnOr, maelinsts employed the
yard who bad had experience ia the use Of the tools j.
Shields Nixon, and John Brkbeck, superintendent OF
large establishments for tho manufacture Of steam
gnes, boilers, etc; William b. Bement Of the Industrial
the yard John Roop his Assistant Engineer aud William
W. Wood and Ale xander Henderson, chief Engineers m
the Navy who, ht the suggestion Of Mr. lsherTood Ena
neer1nChief United States Navy, were detailed for that
purpose. The Committee also examined John Roach OF
the Etna Iron Works, who crayed hearing. They also
communicated with William Sellers Co, tool manufac
ture rom whom they received such papers and infer
The purchases which led to this investigation and upon
When the inquiry is based, 81 tools purchased Of
john Roach q Sons OF tho Etna IrOu Works, HewY0rk
~ cost OF H2t35 The condition OF the tools had at
tncted the attention OF citizens OF Philadelphia In no
wise connected with the manufacture of tools or maeh
cry or the furnishing Of materials therefor but who had
throughout the war taken patriotic interest IN the
cess Of our navy and the reputation OF PHILADELPHIA In
connection herewith and who felt themselves npeled
Dy conscientious motives TO bring the matter To the at
ention Of the Navy Department Board of Engineers
nad oeen designated 10 investigate the matter had
~ approval OF the purchase tho result OF
theil innetuSauoni wherenp0n an appeal made by
h9 70 tner representatives for further inyes
CATION OF the matter In response 10 that appeal the
House adopted the resolution under which the COMMITTEES
ls acting. |III
The testimony elected shows That the tools and ma.
chinery complained Of either Of an inferior cass or
being hrstcinss was partially by previous
10 purchase Tor The navy yars The examination OF the
tools aud the testimony satisfied the Committee that the
purchase OF these second hand tools WINS injudciOus
In the Judgment OF the Committee the space several
Of them would be valuable 10 the proprietor OF
wellappointcd niaciineshop, person fitting up u