Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-10

Gen. Grant, the acting secretary of war,
this morning affixed his signature to the out
side of corpulent bundle Of papers and there
by approved the proceedings of the recent
meeting Of the board Of ordnance and fortif-
cation, held In New York, at which the matter
Of the bids for the 100 high-power guns for the
army was finally considered.
This practically settled the business and
awarded the contract to the Bethlehem Iron
Company at q rate somewhat different from
those submitted in the bids. 1t is, Of course,
possible that the company may not deem it
good policy to accept the contract at this al
tered price, but the chances that it will take
no such step, but that it will sign q contract
with the government on the terms specified by
the board.
The law in this instance is somewhat unique,
directing the Secretary Of War to contract for
these 100 guns a. prices which the board Of ord
nance and fortifcatiou might deem fair to the
manufacturer and to the best interests of the
government Bids were opened July 13 and
were received from the Bethlehem company,
the Midvale company and the South Boston
iron works.
There was good deal of variety in the bids,
owing to the different arrangements for the
times OF delivery, but the figures of the Bethle-
hem company, which has recently been success
fully furnishing gun steel to the navy, were
generally the lowest.
THE OPINION OF THE BOARD.
In the record approved this morning is the
following statement: iThe board is of the
opinion, first, that the interest Of the United
States does not require that guns should be
turned out at rate materially greater
than carriages and emplacements can
be provided, suitable appropriations therefor
being made, to make them available for use.
Second. That the interest of the United
States does not require that guns should be
procured by contract to the displacement of
the plant and skilled labor already provided
therefor at the army gun factory at Water
vliet.
Third. That considering the necessary appro-
priations for maintenance and operation of the
gun factory. for additional forgings to keep it
for mortars and carriages therefor, and other
necessary objects of defense and armament, it
Is not for the interest of the United States to
hasten the contract guns 10 a degree likely to
cripple appropriations for these other necessary
objects.
Fourth. That it is for the interest Of the
United States to accept that bid Of the Bethle-
hem works, which, conformably with the fore
going propositions, will secure tho establish
ment of a private gun plant, within a reason
able period, with the least cost for plant to the
United States.
Fifth. That schedule E, in the opinion of
the board is the schedule which most nearly
conforms to these conditions. The board there
fore, in conformity with the duty imposed on
1t by the fortifcation acts approved August 1S,
prices named in the proposals OF the Bethle-
hem Iron Company Of July II, 1891, under
schedule E. to be fair to the manufacturer and
for the interest Of the United States,
THE CONTRACT RECoMMENDED.
''The board recommends that contract be
entered into with the Bethlehem Iron Com
pany for the manufacture of 100 breech-load-
ing, single-charge, builtup forged-steel rified
guns under shedule E Of its propo-
sails Of July IL, 1891, viz: Twenty
five 8-inch breach-loading rifles, each for
GIT, 246. 55, including ten rounds Of ammunition
complete; the first gun to be manufactured to
be the type gun, which shall be subjected 10
such tests as the board shall hereafter pre-
scribe; that the ammunition required for these
tests over and above the ten rounds supplied
with the gun shall be furnished by the company
at the price Of s7l.09 per round
Fifty ten-inch breech-loading rifles, each
for e35, 747.5S, including ten rounds Of am
munition, with the same provisions as to tests
and extra ammunition, the latter TO be paid for
by the company at Sl3l.O6 per round.
Twenty five twelve-inch breech-loading rifles
each for $54, ,473.22, with the same stipuiations
as to type, gun, tests. ammunition, &C., the
extra rounds to be paid for by the company at
S217.O6 each.
'The Bethlehem Iron Company before the
contract is made should submit for the approval
OF the board detailed drawings of each caliber
Of gun contemplated under its proposal.
the tests to be made of it
and all details of assembling the parts and
all points relating to the construction Of the
guns required to carry out the proposal should
be approved by the chief of ordnance before
being submitted to the board.
''Ihe board is further OF the opinion that
the chief Of ordnance should be authorized to
make agreement with the contractor SO as to
admit Of such changes being made, from time
to time, in the guns to be furnished as may be
necessary to keep abreast of any improvements
that may hereafter be attained in gun construc-
tion."
WHEN THE GUNS ARE TO BE FURNISHED.
According to the proposals of the Bethlehem
Company in schedule E the guns are to be fur
nished as follows: Eight-inch type gun in 730
days; the other guns in such regular periods
that the twenty-ffth shall be delivered
in 2433 days after notification of
the acceptance Of the type gun. Ten
inch type gun in 882 days; the others in regu-
lar periods that the fiftieth shall be ready in
Twelve inch-type gun in ,095 days; the others
in such regular periods that tho twenty-ffth
shall be completed in 8, 1874 days.
The difference between the bid accepted by
the board and that submitted by the company
lies wholly in the price to be paid for the three
type guns.
The bid was for type gun in each class at
gun of the same GLASS; but the board considered
that there was no necessity for such
q difference. The higher price for
the type gun includes the cost of