Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-02
AN ORDINARY ORDER.
What Carnegie, Phipps & Co. Say of
Their Armor Plate Contract.
NO NEW WORKS WILL BE NEEDED.
They Could Supply Two Navies Such as
Mr.. Tracy Runs at Washington.
PROSPECTS OF OIL AT SHARPsBURG

The report of Secretary Tracy. published
in THE DISPATCH yesterday, stating that
a contract for 5000 tons of nickel-steel
armor plate had been awarded to Carnegie,
Fhipps & Co., brings out the fact that there
are but two firms in the United States that
have the facilities for turning out work that
will come up to the requirements of the
Government. These are the Bethlehem
Iron Company, which, by the way, has been
a little too slow to suit MIR. Tracy, and
Carnegie, Phipps & Co.
According TO Secretary Abbott, OF the
local firm, the report of Secretary Tracy
leaves a false impression. Mr.. Tracy says
he opened negotiations with Carnegie,
Phipps & Co. with view to establishing
another plant" Mr.. Abbott was seen yes-
terday In regard to the matter. He at first
talked in this manner:
81 do not care to say anything about this
matter. II this contract has been placed
with our firm, that is private matter con-
cerning ourselves, and the public has no in
terest in it whatever"
WHY IT is OF INTEREST.
SIT is matter of interest to many, if your
firm should erect q new mill, establish a
separate industry, and give employment to a
large number of idle men in Pittsburg," ar
gued the interviewer.
"Not the slightest matter of concern to
anyone" insisted Mr.. Abbott. "This firm
has always made it point to transact its
business quietly, and if we were to attempt
to furnish the public with facts concerning
every large order we take we might be talk
ing TO reporters all the time"
However, being prevailed upon, Mr.. Alb
bott furnished the following information in
relation TO the contract:
ssln the first place, the order for 5000 tons
Of armor plate is not regarded as matter Of
special magnitude by Carnegie, Phipps &
"mere incident" The whole requirements
of the navy for all the ships now in course
of construction or contemplated would not
more than equal half the capacity of this
firms mills.
The firm will not make any additions to
its mills. II already has an armor mill in
connection with the Edgar Thomson works,
and the plates for the Government will be
rolled in that mill. 1t is not known as yet
whether the plates will be of steel or nickel
steel, but Mr.. Abbott said they would follow
whatever specifications the Government
might furnish. According to contract they
will begin the delivery OF the armor next
June, and at the rate of 500 tons monthly
thereafter 1t would require year to COM
plete the contract.
MORE EXPEDITION LIKELY.
1t is likely the work will be turned out
much faster, though, and the entire lot may
be finished next summer. This, in connec-
tion with the work done by the Bethlehem
Iron Company, will enable the work on the
Maine and Texas, the two ships now being
constructed. to progress more rapidly, and,
indeed, may permit their completion by the
time at first appointed.
Carnegie, fhipps & Co. have lot of
other heavy work on hand, and are now
turning out some OF the largest structural
material ever made in this city. They are
furnishing lot Of iron tor the Union Bridge
Company, at Buffalo, to be used in the con-
struction of railroad bridge over the
Mississippi river at Memphis, and another
for the youngstown Bridge Company for a
railroad bridge at the Monroe street crossing
in Baltimore. The latter structure is to rest
on three granite piers, and will cost $27, 900.