New-York tribune., 1885-08-12
TO FINISH THE CRUISERS.
A COMPROMISE AGREEMENr MAnr
WORK TO BE RESUMED IN JOHN RoAcH's sHfpYAxp
UNDER SECRETARY wHITSKY's sUPgRvisroN.


WORK TO Br RESUMED IN JOHN RoAcR's sHrpYAxp
UNDER SECRETARY wHIrSKY's SUPERVISION.
The Secretary OF the Navy received ct HE
homo at sixtaye and Fifty yesterday sftsr.
noon the assignees Of John Roach Il Son. Georro n
Weed and George W. Quintard and their council Aaron
). Vanderpoel The consultation lasted nearly tive
hours. When the deliberations we're concluded Score.
tary whitney went to his summer homo in Lenox,
Mr.. Vsnderpoel to his law Office, Mr.. Quin.
ard to the country and Mr. Weed buckcd down to busi
noss at the Morgan Iron Works. To judge Of whao
could be learned about the consultation the result was
victory for everybody Mr.. whitney is take charge
OF the works plant and .cc: 9: Icsn Roach Son aud
to finish the cruisers Mr. Weed % handle the
ana make the pront there Is any, acting virtually in
the capacity OF the Governments AGENT Lawyer Wander
poePs victory lies In the reflection that his prudence and
sagacity brought about each Of tho other vctoriss
John Roach's triumph will be established when the
Government has its boats his obligations are paid
bondsmen discharged and balance Of his fortune 10
in his hands
When John Roaoh made his assignments the Dolphin
was finished and ready to be delivered tho Govern
ment Tho Atlanta was at the foot Of East Ninth-st
Some work still needed to be done on her hull soma
DINER work. plumbing and painting were to be finished
and her engines and boilers had be connected and set
up The Boston was at Chester, at about the same
stage of completion, and the Chicago the stocks
at Chester. with q great deal Of work still to
be done on her hull, engines and boilers. Tho
controversy between the assignees aud the
Navy Department involves not only the question
Of how and by whom these vessels were
to be completed but who to receive about 100000
then due to John Roach bills approved by the De-
partment and when IL should be paid. The seventh
clause Of the contract requires the cruisers be ready
for delivery at q specified time, which has long
since passed The eleventh clause contains the pro-
vision that In the failure or omission Of tho
VIII hA nrtop
to final completion, from any other than the order
Of the Secretary Of the Navy to forward with the
work and make satisfactory progresss toward Its
petion. 1t should be optional with the Secretary de-
clare the contract forfeited The succeeding
clause provides that in such event . gem
erai accounting between the Government and the
tractor shall be had the contractor and his bondsmen
becoming responsible in that sum which is required to
surrendering the Government only the
ships materials, etc.. to complete them but surrender
ing also his shp-yard' plant ana machinery for tbae
The compromise is looked upon as the outcome Of
completes the cruisers at the Government Navyi Yards
The plan investigated the place selected being tho
whitney na Il %od cS
COCO to e, nth the ysa IN nns % s DO the
would have to be cut away the old wooden ships that
launched and got Of way. And then would
have cost five times more In labor and In materials 70 do
The assignees were reluctant to got into such tangle
They had valuable plant which could only be made to
the concern responsible to the extent of over
$2 OO0 that utterly worthless unless accepted
by the Government. They had 100000 due them that
they could get hold Of in the Of dispute They
were we'll able 70 complete the contract upon s original
terms and make money II satisfactory arrangelncue
on business plan could DC enected tney could ais
lease the bondsmen. save John Roach aud 90 on with
his business.
Both sides entered into the consultation with strong
preference In favor OF an adjustment Secretary Whit
ey found that the contract price for work yet TO be
done the Chicago amounted TO about S2sjOOO. From
estimates furnished by his inspectors. Mr. Hoover on
the hulls and Mr.. McNary ON the machinery aud Mr:
Chester he found that this price covered
$li,9OO painting at $4,000, plumbing at $1,000 and
engine and boiler work Of about $4,000, making
in all about & Sissooo This ..,srss what
or the Government II it could lie done In the Roach ship
yards. The contract price for the completion OF the
Atlanta and Boston was Ssoooo each. and the workto
These tho conditions that were discussed Mt tho
conference yesterday and the result an arrange.
yard plants and materials without dspatc To the Navy
Department and the work Of completion T. to ne carried
Forward nnder the secre.a's personai supg.''''%Iu %
labor materials and tools and to receive the full
tract price for each vessel n. however. 1t
should cast more money than the stipulated price
to finish the cruisers, the bondsnen arc
hold themselves liable. This plan entertained by
Secretary Whitney when he issued his order OF August
TO proceed without delay and take and file full and
complete statement OF all the work done or begun in,
vessels, aud Of all the materials on hand applicable
thereto. Pursuant to these instructions Mr. Iorng -
now IN New-lork and was engaged yesterday upon his
The following Naval Board has been appointed 10 meet
the Delaware Iron Works. Chester Prnn to-day to
ma ke an examination and take an inventory Of tho
cruisers Chicago Atlanta and Boston, Assistant Naval
f. Hanscom j. Il. Hoover Richard Gate
wood, and Lewis Nixon