The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-05
TIE ROBSON lNVESTIGATIOA.
Letter from Admiral Porter-Our Navy Yards
Versus Private shipyards-The Tools and
the Range Of MISUNDERSTANDING
Roba ons Fiat Justitia.

Teau tue IOuOWlng Ietter from Admiral POrter:-
WASHINGTON, April 4, 1872.
SIR-In looking over my evidence last night
notice mat 1t confcted with that or Mr. IanscOm
without intending it to do So say In relation to
MI. Roach ~ think my letter was merely one OF in
from Mr.. Hanscom, and though Inc letter does not
com was justified IN considering IT q recopmenda.
ton coming from me 70 the Secretary OF the
by my opaon Which Expressly sonddenja that
"Mr. Roach win perform the work faithfully and
] never wrote TO Inc Naval Constructor, Mr.. Hans
com, as lie states In his evldence-nO doubt a mis-
q y %no sent nos 70 Mr.
Very respectfully, yours, DAVID d. PORTER
To Hon. AUSTIN BLAIR.
Secretary Robson here read the letter addressed
to HIM by Admiral Porter, which Is In accord with
the letter gwen ABOVE.
MR.. SHOCK
continued his testimony, showing that he assented
to the change OF the machinery OF the Tennessee in
order to accommodate it TO the vessel; compound
engines could be built in the Washington, Charles
town ana New YORK navy yards.
Mr. BARTLErr Intercepted The witness at length
about the old machinery removed aud the new
supplied by the contractor Roach, particularly as
to the value ana use OF the former. The witness
made no estimate OF the value OF the work to be
hai knots an hour with the estimated amount OF
coal could be secured, 1t would be as good con-
Chef Of the Bureau Of Steam MI e was Il
Europe when the contract for the machinery was
made by the witness. lie was there examining
THE SUBJECT OF COMPOUND ENGINES
and returned rather unexpectedly.
MI. BARTLETT was proceeding to ask the witness
ABOUT TOOLS purchased from John Roach, when Mr..
Arcner asked Il TINS was one OF the charges Ia the
New YORK sun?
Mr.. BARTLETT thought so.
Secretary robson remarked that the contract
Tor TOOLS was made long before he came into Office.
Mr.. PETERS asked Mr. Bartlett what he intended
to shown
MI. BARTLETT replied he would rather not tell
unless the committee should consent to let hun
go on.
Mr. SARGENT said 1t was due to the committee TO
execute the resolution OF the House. They needed
| not the advice OF any attorney VINO was here
| BY TOLERArIoN OF TIE COMMITTEE
| Mr.. BARTLETT said he did not understand that he
! that Mr. Dana sMould appear ny counsel IN view OF
the statements at that Tune made.
| Mr.. SARGENT SAID he IND no. select his language
| for the purpose OF pleasing the gentleman. He
maintained that the prosecution should proceed to
establish the truth OF the nelarious charges the
Navy In order that the Secretary may have an OPP.
portunity OF showing MS Innocence, and IN tins
event
| THE MAN WHO sLAHDERED HIM
/ be handed over to public oDiai0n
Secretary robson said II counsel had anything
to prove that he nad acted corrup!ly and divld Cd
| money with Secor ana had an interest with John
Roach IN ms contracts, &C, why did ne not go on,
ton OF the Office OF the bureau ana drawing INFER
ences from that.
Mir. BARTLETT claimed he had shown Migrant
violations OF the law by The Secretary in the aeeor
caso and with reference TO the contract for iron and
engines o. the torpedo boats and IN the kOacn con-
| tracLs. He had called for
THE PRICES PAID FOR TOOLS
purchased from John Roach ID order to further
| proceedings.
several gentlemen OF the committee expressed
their opinions "a to the range OF inquiry. when the
| examination 0. MI Shock was resumed. The wit
! ness, in reply 10 Secretary Rooeson, said that
/ speed, roomy and saving OF coal were important
tnings with steamers, ana these had been guaran-
| teed 10y the contract with Roach Tor the compound
engines; said the original machinery oil the Ten
Roach fcc 100000 and the Old machinery, for
| which Roach had been offered $4,000, was benei-
>cial 10 Tie government; the Secretary had
| NEVER DIRECTED HIN 10 FAVOR ANYBODY
| In contract or Otherwise, either verbally or In
| wrlJlng,
In answer to Mr. Archer the witness said # he
had known the claim mad oeen once paid he would
have considered IL his duty TO ADVISE the Secretary
accordingly, but II a legal question nad risen he
superior TO Mr.. RoacnS yard for building engines.
the officers connected with the steam engineering
OF engines as rapidly as could the persons en-
] ployed Dy MIR. Roach, ana cur
! GOVERNMENT COULD HAVE BUILT AS GOOD ENGINES
as Mr. Roach; nc was sorry to say the machinery IN
our navy yards - IDLE
would require $4,000 CT $ac 900 10 take the Old
chlnery out OF the Tennessee, and that the witness
contract with Roach was cheaper tnan MS estimates
| W secure the same results.
| In answer to Mr.. Sargent the witness said he did
not think these engines could have been built as
| cheapy under government as by contract.
In reply TO Mr.. Bartlett he said II the compound
engines should succeed they wll be used generally
| IN the navy. "Let our navy yards he said, "De
properly organized, and let us select own work
men and we can build all our machinery"
MI. robson remarked that
POLITICS WOULD INTERFERE
Witness said, That Is the trouble but ala not
like TO say SO; persons are employed on work they
| know little or nothing about.
Mr. BLAIR said he intended to 60 to Michigan to
return on The 10Th, ana therefore an adjournment
tp.I1 nrn mo
Mr.. robson protested against delay In this iu-
vestgation. lie wanted IL 10 so on as rapidly as
service and the government, as his puplic useful.
ness was impaired during the investigation.
Mr.. BLAIR sad long before TINS investigation was
ordered he made an engagement to go home on the
9th April and he should start tomorrow morning.
He had no objection TO the committee proceeding
with the evidence while he was gone, though ne
preferred 10 near the evidence as given.
secretary RoBEsoN said lie would be glad II these
gentlemen would come to some point, instead OF
Spreading things down every avenue and never
ending one TDis would relieve the situation.
MI. BARTLETT said that his decided preference
was that the committee should be ful and referred
TO the fact that one Of the members Of the commit.
tee meaning Sargent had refused to go on hereto
lore unt.l vacancy was nlied, which occupied
N answer TO a question by Mr. Peters, Mr. Bart
lett sai9 ile diG not think he would
OCCUPY MORE THAN THREE DAYS
Mr.. SARGENT SAID there were reasons, as men
tened by the Secretary, why tue committee should
Secretafy robson said il 1t should be shown ne
was guilty the country has right TO know 1t, ana,
II innocent, the government aad the Individual had
q right to have II declared. q =. = + .st
Mr.. PETERS thought the committee ought to meet
tomorrow night.
Mr.. WARREN said he should not vote, but pre-
ferred the chairman should be present, .and added
that 1t was customary 10 take testimony by o sub
committee.
Mr.. PETERs-Then vote.
MI WARREN voted yea; so the committee decided
to hold meeting tomorrow evening, at half-pa
seven O'Clock.
THE NATIONAL BANKING BILL.