New-York tribune., 1876-06-03
The Committee adjourned till tomorrow noon.
MR.. robson UNDER INVESTIGATION.
VARIOUS NAVAL OFFICERS TESTIFY THAT THE SEC
EETARY NEVER IMPROPERLY MEDDLED WITH
CoSTRACTs-HITs AT WARD.
IGEsERAL PRESS pIsPArcH.l

CoSTRACTs-HIrs AT WARD
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCH.l
WAsHINGToN, June 2.-Rear- Admiral c. r.
p Rodgers testified before the House Committee on Ma
val Affairs to-day. He said that he was Chief Of the
Bureau Of Yards and Docks from September 1s71, 10
September 1874 and is now superintendent OF the Ma
val Academy Secretary Robson nteriered with
the making of any contract. the fixing of any price,
nor with the Admiras action in regard to any existing
contract except instance this was when he, as
Chief OF the Bureau proposed annul the contract OF
s. p Brown of Washington to furnish granite for dry
dock at the Mare Island Yard, on the ground that
Brown bad failed to comply with its terms ana bad no
Of doing Brown, however. having purchased
quarry declared that he would furnish the granite III
time used and at about half what the Department
would probably have TO pay In case new proposals
were invited; Secretary Robson Informed Admiral
Rodgers that he TO losing the
chance Of getting the granite cheaply
subsequent events just fed his Judgment as 70 Brown,
and the Government had to pay price twice rs high as
Browns bid the time he proposed 10 annul the con
tract however Mr.. Grfiths declined TO furnish the
granite at the price subsequently, paid In
reply a question put by Secretary Ro5eson, witness
stated that Rp5es1n hal never directed sug
cesed or limited him favor any one and had never
inerered in any TO prices the purchase o
supplies The witness mad not assumed unauthorized
power his managemeo Of ms Bureau, violated the
law which requires all naval appropriations 10 be eN-
pended under the direction the Secretary OF the Navy
Admiral Howell gave testimony 10 the same puFport
TO freedom from any attempted favorns Influence or
interference in contracts, &C., the part Of Secretary
Robson.
Surgeon eneraI james c. Palmer Chlei OF The Bureau
Of Medicine aud Surgery testified that Secretary
Robeson has mterered in regard 70 persons or
prices in his Bureau.
Chief fEugineer VIM H. Shock, who has acted as chief
OF Bureau Engineering intervals during sir.
Robesons administration. next examined. lie tcsti
fed that the Secretary suggested persons prices
10 him. dictated any contract made by lin, EXCEPT
the contract with John Roach Sons Of NewYork for
the machinery of the Tennessee this contract was how
ever recommended by him shock) beng for the in
terest OF the Government and 1t had turned out well;
the witness had gone 70 the Mediterranean the Ten
nesscc, ana her machinery was great success she vas
steanng last accounts 1919 knots per hour and beat
ing everything in those waters advertisement was
published and proposals invited Tor this contract 1t
wa, made a private offer and h.s favorable report
| thereon The witness examined at considerable
length concerning certain departures from the Contract
specifications that allowed and especially IN regard
TO the diminished space provided for coal-bunkers He
testified that these charges sanctioned by board
consisting Of the Chief Of the Bureau OF Construction the
Chief Of the Bureau of Steam Engineering and the naval
charge, and that they for the inter
ests OF the service
Commodore william NJ Jcers, Chief Of the Burcau Of
Ordnance, testified that Secretary Robson had
dictated suggested hinted him favor any person,
and in fact nterfered less the management Of the
Bureau than any Secretary he had known he DEF
fers) made one contract with Norman Wizard "a very
plausible person who had captured the Admiral OF the
Navy aud the two Naval Committees Of Congresl for
some ordnance experiments He himself did not believe
in WARDS theories but In view Of WARDS large follow
ing he thought IL wise 20 give him this contract
IN order 10 demonstrate the fallacOusness OF
his ideas, believing this were not done
greater amounts would be expended thereafter,
and the safety OF the navy perhaps endangered nPpy
to a question by Secretary RObeson witness said uat
ultimate usually the result OF many failures,
and stated that II $4,000 To subject l5nch gun
10 the extreme test Of fracture. In response 10 the
Chairman, witness explained That remarks OF his
dorOgatory Mr. Wizard stricken out by Secretary
RoDesOn, not from his Official Bureau report but from
sketch OF its operations &c which he furnished to the
Secretary for use iu the laiter's annual report.
George i. Cutler, Purchasing Paymaser at NewYOrk,
and A. W. RUSSELL Purchasing Paymaster at Phadel
! dephia, testified that Secretary RObcsOn has
attempted whatever to influence the respective
purchases made by tlcn 10 open market and has
Otherwise attempted TO favor any person through them
! Adjourned