The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-03
THE ROBSON INVESTIGATION.
About the Torpedo Eoat Engines and Iron What
Are Ordnance Supplies 9-The Deficiency
Got of ISGo.70 and the Secor Claim.

WASHINGTON April 2, 1872.
The Naval Investigating Committee commenced
business tonight at quarter to eight O'Clock.
GEORGE r.. WILSON
was sworn ana testified that he is superintendent OF
machinery at Washington Navy Yard, and has been
since May. 1861; the yard is supplied with every
facility for building first class engines; the yard
can manufacture engines cheaper than by contract
with outside parties, and In much more satisfac
tory manner; he tn ought 1t much more economical
to build engines at the Navy Yard than to have
them built by contractors; they could employ from
seven hundred to one thousand mea; compound
engines could be built there; they could, in fact.
build as big an engine as was ever designed. The
witness replied to question by Representative
AIcner that the Navy Yard could make engines ~-'
SUPERIOR TO THOSE OF CONTRACTORS;
IN reply toa question BY Secretary Robson the
witness said the Washington Navy Yard during tho
supplies than all the other yards together; anu In
reply 10 Mr. Bartlett he said that private estaD.
llshmen Is equal to the Washington Navy Yard.
CHIEF or THE BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION AND RE.
PAIEs HANsCOMB
being sworn, testified that he took part in the con-
tract Tor the construct n OF engines for the torpedo
boat TO De built at Charleston; the Board adopted
his design and that OF Admiral Porter Tor the two
torpedo boats the one to be built under the SUPER
intenience Of the witness anu the other under tho
superlnendence or Admiral Porter; witness was
responsible Tor the one and Porter for the other;
they were to
ARRANGE AS THEY SAW FIT;
the witness consulted with several engineers as TO
the required englnes he obtained Information from
all OF tnem; he spoke particularly to Mr. Roach rs
to whether he could construct compound en- gines;
he had no conversation with other parties about
giving contracta he did not apply 10 any navy yard
TO Daa enga gan as snsy could not rn The
posals In cases Of this kind.
Mr.. Bartlett next TOOK up the subject Of the con-
tract for
FURNISHING IRON FOR THE BOATS.
The witness having directions to build the vessel,
material; he had received no directions from any
one, and having ascertained where the best iron
could be obtained he contracted with T.. II. PennOck
Of Coatesvllle Pa; ne did not advertise for pro.
posals for furnishing the iron; the contracted
Tor was not usually manufactured IN the United
Mr.. Bartlett examined the witness al some length
TEST or THE IRON
and during the questioning asked the witness
whether ne called snip plates ordnances To which
nance; all material used Tor ordnance may be called
ordnance; he had inquired Of Mr. shook, and some
other persons In the steam Engineering Bureau, and
was told that the best iron was manufactured by
Pennook, at Coatesvllie; he visited the works Ut
Coatesyle, and aiterward sent word to the Pen
nocks to come TO lie Bureau which they did. The
witness was examined at Length ON this point. AMI
said the proposition was
os stated In the contract; he compared hts price
with the prices OF the best brand OF ron the prices
and the price asked By Pennock was considered
right for The charcoal brand OF iron; everything
In reply 10 the question rs to whether II he had
advertised Tor IRON he could have obtained 1t on
ais IN building iron ships do not advertise l0r the
material.
Examined by Secretary RoBEsoN-The witness
said ne had been In the naval service
SEVENTEEN YEARS AS CONSTRUCTORS;
he nad been connected with snipDuilding thirty
years; ne was member OF the board that selected
The models OF the experimental torpedo boats;
speed and handling were considered and made q
part OF the several results the question OF the room
in.
sumption Of iuel and their power entered into the
aesgm OF IN, ohe gHas ,ne contracts were 10
not considered supplies Tor winch proposals are
required 10 be advertised; they machinery; The
witness visited the Plttsburg works where the Sligo
iron Is manufactured; he also visited the Baltimore
works and The Coatesville works, where the Eureka
were
THE BEST IN TIE COUNTRY:
the CONTAGIOUS Tor the iron understood the tests
which are regularly made: the Secretary never dl.
rected him 20 favor anybody In any way or shape;
the secretary never verbally or in writing directed
him 10 favor any body; NOBODY not connected with
by Mr.. AECHER-WiLness had consulted with
Shook, King aud Others who agreed that the CON-
pound engines were the best. Builders other than
Roach might be able to build such engines, but he
ana not know; compound engines are recommended
By Mr.. BARTLErT-The Pennsylvania Rallr DAD
Sompany's steamers building at Philadelphia are to
nave compound engines. THESE engines are being
pult al scranton. The witness do not Inquire ut
scranton about uiding the engines ior these
boats.
JUDGE TABOR
was called to show the balances remaining on naud
10 the credit VI the Bureau OF Construction aud Re-
pairs at the eud OF the fiscal year, ending June 80,
io1o which, he stated was $20l eOe. On the 10Th OF
June 1871, tne witness SAID there In the hands
OF me paymasters IRON $50 900 to 500, O00 whica
would De 10 The credit OF the Bureau although not
appearing on tue BOOKS In MS onice.
. Mr. Bartlett here put IN as evidence I'm the case
tne act OF congress making appropriations 10 sup
ply denciences Ia the Naval Appropriations for the
nscai year lSss-o the provisU therein being as fol.
iows:-"Provided that The money 80 appropriated
sna ne expended ONLY for the purpose OF providing
materials carrying on the WORK and paying the EN-
pioyes OF the Bureau, Tor which it IL appropriately
hr. Bartlett here claimed that Zeno Secor re.
ceNsa szo,oo0 June 10, ISL winch was paid out OF
the deficiency appropriation,
o0NTRDsY 70 THE PRovIso ABOVE QUOTED.
secretary RoDeson said the explanation OF the
gentleman was for newspaper publication ONLY,
Inc committee at ten O'Clock, adjourned until to.
morrow, al half past seven O'Clock r. M.