The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-29
ARMOR-PLATE FRAUDS
TESTIMONY OF CAPTAIN SAMPSON,
OF THE ORDNANCE BUREAU.
Senator waIsh's Maiden Speech ON
the Tariff-American Citizen Re-
fused Admission to Russia.

WASHINGTON. May 2s-Captain Samp-
son. chief OF the Ordnance Bureau. Navy
Department. to-day resumed his statement
before the House committee that is investi-
eating armor-plate frauds. He took up the
second charges made against the Carnegie
company. which have been in part inves-
tigated by the Navy Department. Captain
Sampson detailed the charges made by Mr..
Wallace, a Pittsburg lawyer. representing
a half dozen employees OF the Carnegie
works. Secretary Herbert. Captain Samp-
son said. had designated a board with wit
ness at the head 1t had gone to Home
stead and had found the charges and the
evidence substantially similar TO that at
the first Investigation. The final report of
the board was not completed, but In sub
stance IL would disclose little that was
new. Mr.. Sill, one OF the informers in the
first Investigation, had the most comprehen-
sive knowledge of defects. None of the
given by Mr.. Sill. The only thing in the
~ )" Mr.. K saanni3ns and ln Mr.. BUZZ. T The i slusr
testified 10 a practice in the works OF so
liking the specimens as to give the goy-
testified that the falsifications continued un-
I'll Jan. ! last. Another employe testified
1 Work rne pT T@ore t haa s al@i prae sals'f had oe eoer
tinued until orders were given to discon-
tinue IL.
al ACcRCASC " a 4dCSIlOiA ~
tive Money, Captain Sampson said MIR.
Frick had given the order. Mr.. Prick had
and. while IL was not known that Mr.. Frick
knew Of the Irregularities, he had written
a letter in September directing that such
practices. IL they existed, should cease.
This order was in turn executed by Super
~intendeDt Schwab, who knew of the prac-
tees.
In explaining the manner of taking sam
pies, CAPTAIN Sampson said that an EN-
ploye OF the Carnegie works took the sam
pies and subjected them TO machine tests.
TIL Carnegie employe called off the re-
suits and the government inspector took
the figures as called off:
mings. the government tests were made
by Carnegie employees with a Carnegie ma
chine. and We're accepted as conclusive by
Captain Sampson said this was customary
the world over. In the intricate processes
some renan9e mad 10 De placed on the com pad
a dial, on which the government inspector
might see that the checking of was cor
rect. The thirteen-inch armor of the Monte
reg had numerous blow holes. with the
knowledge of the department. The plates
were hurriedly made in 1892 and would not
be accepted now. The Monterey plates were
the first made. The Gillian trouble was
pending. and the department was DESTROYS
of hurrying forward the work.
Chairman Cummings asked for specific
details as to why steel armor should cost
more than steel rails.
Captain Sampson said the Bethlehem
4AlD1 Aad CDCnt F1soVJsooV Ol lS II
plant. 1t was largely an investment on an
experiment. The making OF steel rails was
a simple process: the making of an armor
plate was an intricate process, covering six
months.
Chairman Uni asked as TO the
statement of Representative Coombs, of
New York, that the first government con-
tract had paid the Carnegie company for
the cost of its plant, and yet new contracts
were being made at the old rate, thus pay
ing the Carnegies several times for their
plant.
Captain Sampson said he thought ii was,
TO some extent. true that the more recent
contracts were based IN the earlier con-
tracts, when the cost of the plant was
considered in making the price for armor.
Chairman Cummings-Did you unearth
any testimony locating any Of these irreg-
u~larities on superintendent Schwab?
Not directly" said Captain Sampson,
but from the circumstances Of the case
known OF the Irregularities.
Has he been removed?' asked Mr.. Cum
mings. sx-r
His position has been changed" respond
ed the witness
But he keeps a position with the COM
panyT" asked Representative Money.
II understand he will be removed" said
the witness
Captain Sampson negatived the charges
that bolts and screws of defective sizes and
shapes had been used in securing armor
a Mr.. Brown as 10 serious defects in bolts
and screws. The charges had been investi-
gated and Mr.. Browns evidences was taken.
1t was found that there was nothing in the
charges. This closed Captain SIMPSONS
testimony.