The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-31
TIE HUNDRED HEAVY GUNS
The sescoast Orasases which Congress
Called For from Private Steel Works.

Called For from Private Steel works.
WASHINGTON. July 30.-some curiosity 10 OK
cited as 10 tho nature OF the discussions that
have gone on In the Board OF Ordnance and
fortincations touching the award Of the con-
tracts for the construction Of 100 high. power
guns, on which bids were received more than
Two weeks age. The Board was in session for
several days after the opening OF the bids on the
18th Of July. and then separated without hav.
ing mado an award. 1t 10 known that somc OF
the sessions werc devoted entirely to the con-
sideraiion OF the bids 1t has accordingly boon
suggested that the peculiar phrase Of tho Ap-
preparation act providing that tho prices should
be such as would DO deemed fair to the man
ufaoturcr and to the best intc-ests OF tho
United States" may have delayed the decision
OF tho Board. 1t is further suggested that esti.
mates OF the cost Of constructing these guns at
Wntorvliet may be made the basis OF what
should be considered a fair price.
Ills hardly TO be supposed. however. that
the Board would rcfraia from making tho
award to private contractors on any statement
or estimate that these guns or any part OF them
could be manufactured for less at the Water
viet arsenal Comparisons in such cases
might be deceptive to the general public. Tho
factory at West Troy has its plant established
BY the Government It's worknen trained. and
the free services OF accomplished ordnance
officers to surerntend 1t and to aid In con-
structlon. ana In mnny other details has adj
vantAGes. Again. while all tho actual bidders
have gun -mak Ing plants there is the interest on
tho cost OF those plants 10 ba met and :hore are
certain margins OF risk and certain unknown
quantities which tho private concern must
consider. such as q possible rise in the rrice OF
material or OF labor. the disadvantage OF
strikes. and so on. which q Government fac
tory does not havo to reckon in. since any over
runnlngs OF Its estimates or unexpected losses
fall upon tho public treasury and not upon pri-
vate pockets
Congress also has In tho m ost emphatic man
ner shown its desire to have the hundred guns
made By private establishments. Indeed. tho
provisions for coast defence werc de'ayed
many years simply because no adequate means
could be agreed upon for a-ryng out q system
under which proper announcement would be
given to private mann,nstnrers II was largely
ss na wn'a Ss Sn
needed appropriations were secured for the
MaterSie, gun A., factory i. is sale to Pay there
sentiment In favor OF building cuns BY con:
ment factory. which win continue to need larGe
appropriations In order TO make It useful.
Of bas e. SosIa
margin which Congress liked 10 It's app opriA-
tinn. Tho call was for twenty. five S-inch. tittv
SUPPOSE Was apd she rssai, So shoasd WE'D
Of that price The South Boston Iron Works
and Midvale Steel Company, proposed to FUR
nish them. With tue specified ammsn.ion; d bit
sss5o.oo9. with certain modies.lons as to Time s
SnH Hhs %fFdi Sss COMPANY sAs ssi q
its old bid OF S5.359.5oO and the South Bos-
@ade Kin hxhcs oae hra
pany, which submitted ave lis.inc. BIDS under
'hs g dsys5s I'll:
hoard 70 sxpend. With this great difference ia
ne bidding goes the other fact that the Beth.
the iorsnas for millions Of dollars Worth Of
therefore. ior the army would no. be eHperi.
pre.ens not only n.
gun forgines for the latter as well.
counted for By the need Of careful delibcrs-
By tie necessity Of decidinE whetherit viii not
~ sbs in ssas5 to set q ts.
Schoneld. who was not able to attend the
| earlier sessions for the consideration OF this
| will be o prospect Of getting y prompt supply
| Of guns for coast defence. such as there could
| not be with reliance on Watervlict only. or
| even on an additional Govrrnme nj gun factory.
| Indeed. these 100 guns will form only ali
| part Of what arb imneratiyely nesded for our
| forts. Should the Fifty second Congress call
| for another 100 Gnns from private con tractors.
| the bidders Of July 10 would have rhnnce to
enter The p lls's again re.IfGrcsd rsEhaps BY
other works extensive enough to undsrtake SO
| great task.