New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-04-05
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT INQUIRY.
THE ROACH CONTRACT-ANIMATED DISCUSSION
WITH COUNSEL-TIE TORPEDO BOATS.
GENERAL PRESS DISPATCHI

THE ROACH CONTRACT-ANIMATED DISCUSSION
WITH COUNsEL-THE TORPEDO BOATS.
GENERAL PRESS DISPATCHl
WASHINGTON, April An the Naval 1nvesti-
CATION Committee to-day Mr.. Shock continued his tes
mony, showing that he assented 20 the change OF inc
machinery of the Tennessee in order 10 accommodate IL
to the vessel compound engines could he built IN inc
Washington, Charlestown, and New-York Navy-1arus'
Mr. Bartlett nterroeaed the witness at length ABOUT
the old machinery removed. and the new supplied, ny
the contractor Roach, particularly as TO the 'auo anu
Of the former The witness made no esuma'e vi Tue
value of the work be done by Roach but he hought
II la knots an hour withrhe estimated amount or COAL
could he secured it would he good contract as the
Government made. Mr.. KING, CDle1 OF inc buIc'u
of steam Engineering In Europe when the CONTRACT
for the machinery was made by the witness He was
there examining the subject OF COMPOUND cnsino'' "
returned rather unexpectedly . , ,.
Mr. Bartlett was proceeding to ask the witness about
tools purchased from John Roach when Mr. Acne asheu
II TINS D was one , OF rmg so Il" LUG
Secretary Robson remarked that the contract Tor oos
was made long before he came into office.
Mr. Peters asked Mr. Bartlett what he intended 10 snow
Committee should consent for him 10 go ON.
Mr. Sargent said 1t was due 10 the Committee TO exc
advice OF attorney who was here by federation oi the
Committee. 49, .,
Dana should appear by counsel in view of the statements
Mr. Sargent said he did not select his language for
the purpose of pleasing the gentleman He matained
truth of the nearous charges in The SUM- of robbng,
&C. against the Secretary of the Navy in order That
the Secretary may have an Opportunity OF showing ms
innocence and in this event the man who slandered
him he handed over to public opinion.
Secretary Robson said II counsel mad anything 10
prove that had acted corrupty, and divided money
with Secor and had an interest with John Roach III ms
contracts DC, why did he not 20 or instead or asking
questions the administration of the olce OF the
Bureau, and drawing inferences from thdtf Mr.
Bartlett claimed he had shown fagrant viola.
of law by the Secretary In the secor case ana
with reference TO the contract for iron ana engines
the torpedo boats, and in the Roach contracts lie
had called the prices paid for tools purchased from
John Roach, in order TO further proceedings. several
gentlemen OF Committee expressed their opinions as
to the range of inquiry, when the examination OF ME-
Shock was resumed. The witness in reply 10 Secre-
taTy Robson, said that speed, ROOM ana SAVING
Of coal, were important things with steamers,
and these had been guaranteed by the contract
with Roach for the compound engines; lac SAID the
original machinery OF the Tennessee cost sOOOW ne
machinery, for which Roach had been offered $4,000,
was beneficial to the Government; the Secretary had
directed him 10 favor anybody III contract or
otherwise either verbally or In writing In answer 10
known the claim had been once PAID he wound
have considered it bs duty to advise the Secretary
accordingly, hut if legal question had risen nc wOi
not Ina We done So navy yards are superior TO MI
ROachs yard for building engines; the oiceIs cOu,
nccted with tue steam engineering department could
inform themselyes Oh the subject OF engines as ldpuy
Government could have built as good engines as Mr..
Roach; he sorry to say that the machinery III our
In reply to Mr. BARTLETT he said If the compound en-
navy let NavyYaTdS, he said, he properly organ
lied, and let select our own woIkueD, ana VIC can
build all our machinery -
Witness said, is the trouble. but did not like
TO say persons employed on WORK they knew III
tie or nothing about"