The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-19
A CHANCE FOR THOMPSON
Some Dark Corners where New Broome
can bo Used to Advantage.

WASHINGTON, March 16.-If Secretary
Thompson intends TO carry out his proposed
reform in tho Navy Department no will find
plenty of work for his now broom. When he
assumed charge OF the department he informed
the heads OF bureaus that no contracts would he
made involving any expenditure Of money until
first submitted 10 him for approval. He also
directed the head Of each bureau TO furnish him
with list OF all contracts now being fulfilled.
showing tho progress made. the law under
which they were given out, the amount OF
money expended to date. the amount Of cash
remaining in the Treasury to the credit Of tho
various. bureaus. with such other information
as would enable him 20 fully understand tho
amount OF business OF his department.
Just prior TO Secretary Kobcson's removal
his hist time e." would have expired by limitation, VI.
w. W. Wood resigned his Office as Chief Of the
Bureau Of steam fnginee5lng, and his success
assumed charge Of the department. Thore has
been cons derablc comment upon Woods resig
nation when he had so short time to serve.
and various reasons given for II, but his mo-
tivcs must he manifcs to nny ono familiar with
the Jobs that have been consummated IN his bm-
rcau. II was through this bureau that Woods
friend. Norman Wizard, was able TO draw $4,000
ns royalty for one Of his humbugs. known as
which sum was paid before the department had
even got through win tho iarce OF pretending
found tor T should be-, the cord Of the transac
tons. with Secretary Robeson's friend, John
Roach, beside various Transactions with tho
South Boston Iron Company. that will be inter-
cstng for Secretary Thompson 10 inquire into.
During the last ten days Of Rohcsons manage
ment. Mr.. William i. Hunt. OF tn" South Boston
Iron Company. was almost constantly at the
Navy Department In company with Murtagh
editor Of the kitchen organ Of the late Admins
tration. Murtagh was early and late at the
se'retarys office with Hunt. and they seemed
anxious 20 close up their transactions with this
department before they should fall into the
hands Of new Secretary.
Norman WARDS worthless guns. by which
sands of dollars. through the Navy Department,
were manufactured 10y the company represent
cd by Hunt. After Wizard had got under good
Roadway in the gun bursting business. he in
duced tho South Boston Iron Company 70 erect
Q shop for the manufacture OF steam boilers.
Wizard claiming that through the influence he
had with Robeson and Wood. he could get them
large contracts for Government work. The
shop was no sooner built than 1t was engaged
tailed to supcrlntsnd the work II is also re-
ported that large quantities Of machinery have
been loaned the South Boston Iron Company.
and removed from tn. Charlcstown Yard TO
their shop. and that the same favor has been
extended To- John Roach. when he required
Government machinery at his shop.
1t would be- well for Secretary Thompson to
call on the Bureau of Steam Engineering for an
inventory Of the machinery OF the Government.
present chief OF the bureau 10 report in writing
! hi- opinion OF the value Of tho Wiard-W Wood
| Murtagh boiler attachment with tho number
purchased. the number In present use, and
| their cost thus far 10 tho Government Beside
! this. II might be well for i'm 10 ascertain
whether Chief Engineer Henderson is still de-
| tailed on special duty to keep them from ruin
| ing the boilers " which they are attached.