New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-23
NATIONAL CAPITAL TOPICS.
THE CONTRACTS FOR THE NEW CRUISERS.

ENGLISH AND AMERICAN DESIGNS -PENALTIES AND
PREMIUMS IN THE WORK.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 90. There Ia naturally much in
terest manifested In the opening OF tho bids on Wednes
day building OF tho three cruisers the New
ark Charleston, and Baltimore; and The Two sunboats-
ono heavily armed aud the other or less than BOD
IONS The representatives OF william Cramp soLs, Of
Phsde pbia and Of Union Iron Works OF San Pran-
CISCO are aIout all taken sufficient interest TO
examine the drawings and plans at tho Navy Depart
ment The form OF contract decided upon allows me
oour otors 800 for every uut of horsepower o. en-
gines above tba called for and forfeit OF 500 Tor
every unir Of horse power deficient Penalties are also
imposed for DELAY In finishing the vessels; hence there
sy stem OF premiums for doing m"rs ihan the eon-
tracts require, AMI Of penalties for d~nrencisa
The Contract tune FOR dnishing the crsers eighteen
mon hs AMI twelve months I'd cofnpirto tho gunbotts
penalty for REORGANIZATION OF each ship In tho
sprcnei time s25 ~ tSuniays not nciudrd) for the
first six mouths; $50 day for the next three months
and 500 a day for tho following thr'e months This
makes only $1,000 penalty for Six months delay, a sum
that any contractor would much prefer to pay rather
than procure plant that wound for
q more rapid completion Of thu wmk The system OF
premiums FOR Increased horse power Ia Enssh; but In
England thpy awe contractor Q certain spa,e for
weight OF machinery and lot him make his owD designs
for certain horss- power. giving o premium for all
above that slip ilsei. IN the case or the cruisers
designs are made a Certain power which Is known Ia
bo 10 aud power down In tue con-
tracts aud tue paid blk To do what no
should do for nothing.
Tne Baltimor- or Cruiser No. as sDs will be known
In the contract the lar Of the three She y. TO
be- bu from design purobas d for so 600 from sir W.
a. Armstrong Mi chrli & co of England the mscnin-
err. designs being for 10, $50 horsepower The horse
power rrqurrd developed oy his ship by the to ms
Of contract Is OILY 5000; and may fall rs low As
5000 without tho ship benz relecto. the contractor
being ed pay 200 penalty for cash horse-p wer
le4s than 5000 But for every horsepower sooso
Thus, II the bors.p wer FOR which the engin wrr"
designed dsvrl ,p- trial the contr actor viii receive
81 rs 900 premium over aud the eOntrac' price
Cr>rr No. 4. tn he built from designs made ~ inc
ur-au tructon aud Of steam FL gurrrine or the
Navy Depari memf Tue designei horsepower ~ -,ouO
while the uors- r~quirr,l from tho conuseto Is
5000 with perm>son to fall To 1000 by payment OF pen
allies Tue provision for paymcuf 0f premium u
,a Ia ~ IN the Baltimore. 20 that tho con
tractor would receive $4,000 premiums for carrying
out tie designs. The ne inc ion froo the designed
power Of the Batmu IL 10, $780, minus 5000 eqnas
l.7JO, or Is 80 per cent he elnction rum the
drsi ned 10 Of Cruiser No. is $500 m nus 5000
"a ais 800 or Ss-lOD per cent The full power tr ais
all ves>r- IL rrquiret To b- Tor -FOUR hors
ony while that for the Dolphin an tho Atlanta was Tor
.tr lnlra