Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-31
STEEL SHIPS AND RIss prwa.
Report Of the House Ordnance Com.
mission.

toelf report yesterday. The report Is that pre-
pared by Mr.. Randall, with some amendments,
Mr.. Hewitts report was rejected by the COM
mtttee, and the chief features of Il were after.
| wards incorporated in the report OF the House
naval affairs committee upon the reconstruc-
ton OF the navy. The report says testimony
taken shows that steel guns of above S-inch
caiioer can mott made In this country to-day:
but several companies are ready to undertake
the manufacture of the heaviest steel guns if
"sufhciently renumerated." Upon this question
RECOMMENDATION, the report says, the whole ques-
tloh OF making big guns In this country hinges.
Several companies have defined what they
mean 6y suf1ctent remuneration
The Bethlehem Iron Company REQUIRES con-
ros 70 the extent Of 5000 tons per year for
The Tredegar Company from 1000 to 2, 1000
'o Ms'p pc. year Ior "a long term OF years."
year for period of five years
81. Inc ABOVE are for calibers up to 16inch, 100
For calibers up to 1O-inch the Midvale Steel
company requires an order of 8 600 tons for
one year; Tor calibers up to II inches gross
The figures furnished by the Cambria and
the Mlovaie companies are about $500 per ton
ana may be taken as about what would now
nave 10 DC PAID: that Is to say: For 10-inch guns
5000 tons Of steel, 81, soc, 900 viii be required.
70 F9r no a2 d guns 5000 tons, at a cost Of
cos, ~ ~ Eor a6-inch guns, 10000 tons, at
Since the commission have ascertained that
:neLe are nrms willing to make material for 16-
must De evident from the foregoing statements
tnaC Inc ''Sufhcient remuneration they de.
mand now is much greater than it would he IL
the nrIlS mad had any experience,
Inc report says that on account of the great
cost OF the plant there must be a wide margin
OF profit to cover the risks.
ALL GUNS SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE
UNITED STATES.
The readiness Of American manufacturers Of
high standing to undertake such contracts is a
great proof OF their enterprise and skill, and
strengthens the commission in their conviction
that all OF this work ought to be and can be
done In the United States and that the benefits
ana advantages OF doing it here more than
compensates for any probable increase of cost;
nevertheless the commission might he justified
In expressing the opinion that it would be more
IN the line OF economy, prudence and efficiency
IN the guns we are to obtain, TO proceed care
Iuny TO make smaller guns, and work up gradu-
any 70 The larger ones, than to suddenly appro-
pirate for the latter before we even know that
Inc u smaller can be made The commission
nave no hesitation in recommending that all
guns Tor use by the army and navy, Including
those for fortifications,. when constructed,
should be constructed in the United States.
AT present operations should be confined to
guns Of . TO 12-inch caiiber.
AN APPROPRIATION
sufficient TO start two manufactures at work
making these guns in the rough is suggested,
the finishing to be done by the government.
The government possesses several arsenaIS suit
able Tor the place of establishing finishing fac
tories for these guns-tree from the danger of
capture and convenient for water transporta-
ton. The report says:
1t is safe to say that the United States DOS
sesses facilities within Its own boundaries suffi-
semble all guns necessary for the proper arma-
ment OF our seaports and vessels OF war, provided
enough money be appropriated to enable the
government 10 construct such guns, or else to
enable the manufacturers TO erect the neces-
sary plant for the preparation and production
OF the rough material, and to obtain reason
able return on their capital, leaving to the gov
eminent the finishing and assembling of such
parts into guns
cate To Congress the various means for attain
Ing this end, leaving 1t to them to decide which
one is best.
Guns may be made by ~ the government
alone; (2) by private parties alone; 81 by part
nershlp between the government and private
parties az by a combination between the gov
ernment and private parties, each working in
Its own sphere, the latter furnishing the steel
OF prescribed quality and shapes which the
gun.
REGARDING ARMoR
the commission states that the present capacity
OF the United States is plate of about twelve
inches in thickness but that several firms are
willing to undertake the fabrication of armor
up to any required thickness provided the price
paid is sufficient. The only definite offer made
was Dy nin which asked guarantee of work
aSgregating S12,5OO,OOO.
MARINE STEAM ENGINES
With regard to the construction of marine
steam engines the report says that the ma
chinery and machine tools in the navy yards
of the government and in the private foundries
and machine shops in the United States are of
the necessary character and sufficiency for the
construction of steam engines suitable for YES
sells of war.
1t will appear by the testimony taken that
marine engines OF the largest size can be built
IN the United States navy yards at Washing
ton, Boston, New York and Norfolk, but that
an expenditure of about one hundred thous-
and dollars would be required in order to pro-
cure some of the smaller tools of modern con-
struction TO replace other tools of antiauated
types.
STEEL AND IRON SHIPS.
AS to the construction of iron and steel war
vessels, it appears by the testimony tax en- that
such vessels can be built in this country in sew
eral OF the navy yards and in private establish
hents at present in operation. Ii any consid-
cradle number of such vessels are to be built in
the immediate future by the determination to
increase the navy at u rapid rate. then the gov
eminent would have to resort to both its own
Steel and iron ships can be built in the navy
From testimony and information heretofore
obtained by Congress it would appear that the
most favorable site for their construction is on
the Delaware.
The commission submit no bill with their
report, but ask that it be referred to the COM
mlttee having Jurisdiction.
THE VAN buren, JEWELS.