The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-21
THE DOUBLE -BARHtLLED ARMS INQUIRY.
The House Commit Of Secrc.
tnry Robson and Comm0 dore Cuse-A Ten
Thousand kilo story.

The House Committee-Exan,inntio Of Secrc.
tnry Robson and Comm0dOre Cuse-A Ten
Thousand i,iAe story.
WASHINGTON, March 20, 1872
The House Committee on Expenditures in the
War Department met this morning Secretary
Robson was sworn, ana testified that early in
the year 1871 the Navy Department made an
arrangement with the War Department for the
manufacture OF ten thousand Remington rifles
for the use OF the navy. Board OF Naval Oicers
had been appointed Tor the trial of breech-oading
arms with the view OF selecting the best for the
naval service. The Board experimental with all the
brcecs-ioading arms and selected Remington's as
the best After their report the Navy Department
contracted with the War Department for the manu-
lactnre OF 10000 arms for the navy. While the arms
were in progress Of manufacture 1t was discovered
there was defect In the plan. He did not think
the defect was radical one, but the arms were
exactly what the navy wanted. The price the navy
was TO pay was to be ascertaned by the govern
tween ioultee and fifteen dollars apiece. The
navy was 10 pay IN addition 81 rlne as ROYALTY on
patent While the we're Seng
P p TrmSle Co. arms dealers RS
The purchase Of their arms, Offering TO pay proper
price or them. That firm had given enough Tor
the lo, 600 arms to enable the navy to purchase
10000 These Remington arms were manufactured
at the Springfield Arinory, and the contract was
concluded March 81. 1871, when the Franco German
The arms were not delivered until April. If he
recolected correctly peace was concluded on the
26,h OF February, and the Germans entered Paris
on The LIST Of March. The navy made about forty
thousand . dollars BY the agreement with Ponl.
making 1t was thrce-fod: first, TO obtain
y 700 stand Of arms for The same amount tnat
originally manufactured not perfect; and
| third, because General Dyer desired 10 have the
men men, at the Springfield Armory Kept at work Tns
wanted when II could sell to advantage.
The custom had been to sell surplus arms and sup
| OF the government. under all administrations and
NJ all times. Witness informed some OF tueSe
arms were sold In Turkey, Egypt and England.
Commodore Case Chief or the Ordnance Bureau
OF the Navy Department, being sworn, corrobOrated
tie statements OF the Secretary oil the Navy; the
board OF officers who selected the Remington arms
were appointed In 1869 and reported IN 1870; they
at ST. Louis; the defect discovered in the arms
that the sight was nearer the breeoh-block than
desired; an men and half higher up the barrel
gave better sight; by the arrangement with Pout-
ney, rrnble x Co. the Navy Department made
net profit OF S27 GJ0 or 1000 rifles; the arms sold To
that firm were delivered at New York aud resold to
parties In London.
The Chairman (Mr. Wisms) asked-Have any
agents OF foreign goverDmshs ever made objection
or protest against the sale OF these armss
Commodore Case replied:-1 never heard or any
such objection or protest ever having been maze 70
| the department.
MIR. Barber inquired whether witness had any
knowledge or information as to whom Poultney u
| Co expected 10 sell the armS2
Witness repIed-NOne whatever.
Mr.. AcKor askeu-DO yOa know OF any person In
| the War or Navy Department personally Interested
Commodore Case-I know nothing whatever.
The committee desire to examine General Dyer.
but cannot now do So owing to his critical phys
condition.
The committee adjourned, subject 10 the can OF
the chairman, ana Will make their report before the
senate arms examination shall be concluded.