New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-17
THE ARMOR PLATE INQUIRY
TESTIMONY TAKEN on THE THEORY OF THE
SUBSTITUTION OF PLATES

| SUBSTITUTION OF PLATES.
Washington. Aug &c (SpeclaD.-It is expected that
a preliminary report from the Subcommittee on
Naval Affairs charged with the investigation Of the
alleged armor-plae frauds will be submitted 10 the
| House of Representatives. on Monday The proceed
ings in the ub-commttee to-day rather lively
and interesting. The testimony given by Captain
Sampson. Chief of the Bureau of Naval Ordnance.
last week. to the effect that what purported TO be
the upper halves of certain armor plates manu-
featured by the Carnegie Company. the lower halves
of which selected for and submitted TO ballistc
tests, what they purpored to be- but
were halves of entirely different plates, has been
sharply challenged by the officials of the Carnegie
Company. who stoutly deny any substitution while
they forced to admit that the lower halves were
re,reated after the plates had been chosen by the
Government inspector TO undergo balllstic tests.
Superintendent Corey, Of the armor plate depart
ment of the Carnegie Works. appeared to-day. and
testified that what purportei to be the upper half
of plate No GIG was exactly what 1t purported TO
be, and explained why the fact could not be other
wise. Captain Sampson and Lieutenant Alderman
Of the Bureau Of Naval Ordnance. both took the
stand and maintained that there must have been
a substitution. and gave the for their be-
lief. 1t cannot be said that the testimony
elusive In favor Of either side. The theory of sub
stituton now maintained by the officials of the
Bureau OF Naval Ordnance was not preached be-
fore the committee until within the last few days.
until after the ballistic tests TO which the upper
halves of certain plates subjected without
the knowledge Of the subcommittee since II began
Its investigation.
In opening the hearing Chairman Cummings read
a letter from Superintendent Schwab stating that
he had read the testimony OF Captain Sampson.
Chief Of the Bureau OF Ordnance. In which Sampson
stated that he of the opinion that the top halves
of plates Nos 46s 53l and 6l9 retreated. well
the bottom halves The tests made OF specimens
from the two halves OF these plates. Captain SamI,
son claimed. clearly showed that both halves OF the
ing the letter. said he had recalled MIR. Corey for
examination on this point. az he had superInien1ei
the retreatment Of these plates, Mr.. Schwab being
in Europe at the time.
Mr. Cummings called Mr. Corey's attention to the
the bottom halves OF these three plates were re
treated. and asked him II this correct Mr.
Corey replied that It was
halves OF plate No GIG sent to Indian Head for tests
were from the same plate. Plate 6ls was rolled
July Il. 1898 AT that time there were no other
eight and one-half inch plates Of the same width
He referred 10 the testimony OF Captain sampson
In which IL stated that the bottom half OF plate
No GIG had been Improved 1900 pounds in tensile
strength and on this basis the company had been
rnony. stated that the top half OF the plate the
better. lie would like to have an explanation Of
this.
Lieutenant Alderman Of the Ordnance Bureau.
was called. He said he had been directed 10 take
test pieces from the bottom half Of the plate No Gl9
to see II the plate had been re-treaed after being
selected for bastlc This fact was established
and specimens were then taken from The top hall
ing the top half he had noticed the difference
in the appearance OF the feed" the mark Of tho
cutting tool The specimens when pulled showed "A
that Of half being coarse and that Of the other
limit. tensile elongation and contraction o, area
The great dissimilarity In the specimens indicated
that the two halves were not from the same plate
The committee adjourned subject to the call OF
the chair.