The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-08-24

ARM0R PLATE FRAUD
Proven by the Special Committee Ap.
pointed to Investigate.
+" Admissions by Carnegie's Men
Plates Now i'm Use TO Undergo a
Ballistic Test.
BY The Associated Press.

WAsHINGroN, Aug. "a - The specia
committee of the house which. has been in
vestigating the charges affecting the re
liability of the material for the new ship
furnished by the Carnegie company O
Pittsburg laid its report before the hous,
yesterday. The report shows that the con
tract with the company covered periot
OF two years and three months, from No
vember, 1890, 10 February, 1898.
The amount of armor plate contracted
Tor was 1913 tons, costing s5,441, ,920. In
opening the report Mr.. Cummings, the
chairman OF the committee, gives the
lo charges made against the company and
follows it with the admissions made un-
der each charge.
| Mr.. Schwab admits under the first
charge that the plates did not receive uni
| form treatment, explaining this by saying
THAT uniform results alone were required.
The committed construes the specifications
10 mean uniform quality before treatment,
ana practically uniform treatment, when
practically uniform results will neces-
sarily follow
Reports Were Doctored.
The second charge, that false reports OF
treatment OF plates were systematically
made, the committee holds il proven by
the rough records of the company itself.
ihere were fake reports of treatment of
plates that received no treatment what
ever, says the report, and over 95 per cent
OF the records show changes which
were evidently made for the purpose of
deceiving the government inspectors The
reports were made to make it appear that
the plates had received the uniform and
efficient treatment required by the con-
tract.
IL is evident to the committee, the re-
port continues, that there were not enough
furnaces to turn out the work reported IL
plates were treated according to contract
specifications. After the charges of fraud
were made and penalty had been exacted
Dy President Cleveland, other furnaces
were added.
The charge that specimens taken from
the plates both before and after treatment.
10 ascertain the tensile strength of each
plate, were stretched without the knowl-
edge OF the government inspectors, SO as to
increase their apparent tensile strength, "is
admitted by superintendent Corey, as is
practically the allegation that '.false spec
linens taken from other plates were sub
stituted for the specimens selected by the
eONtthiiciJ lnSpccIOfS.
He also practically admits the charge
that the testing machine was 'jockeyed"
with, to deceive inspectors. Superintcnd-
ent Corey admits that plates selected for
ballistic test by government inspectors
were re-treated without the knowledge of
the inspectors
Contractors and Inspectors Criticised.
The report severely criticises both the
United States inspectors and the contract |
ors The inspectors, it says, were not cor
rupt, but the work of inspection was
negligent and defective. Both company
IND inspectors, the report states. were
,ulpable.
The frauds are characterized by the com.
nittee as crimes for which no fine or
money consideration can adequately atone
The committee does not feel the necessity
v drafting criminal statute, but the in
erests of the treasury, the lives of our sea
nen, and TO satisfy the nation, demands
hat such acts shall be severely punishable
all persons connected with them.
THE efforts of the company and its su.
Cline, Corey and Scbwabv
ho report concludes, "havo been 10 satisfy
he committee that the armor is up 10 the
equirements of the contract, notwithstand.
ng the false reports TO inspectors, doctor.
ng of specimens, plugging of plates. etc
he unblushing character of the frauds 10
'hich these men have been parties and
he disregard of truth and honesty which
hey have shown before the COMMITTEES
'nder them unworthy Of credencc."
Plates to Be Tested.
The only way TO determine the actual
ondition and strength OF the armor is bv
Injecting certain plates Of the grouns
assod by fraud TO ballistic tests. The
can go no further into this I'm.
'stigation without knowing the actnal
allistic resistance OF groups of plates
issed by a test Of plates that did not :
ally represent these groups.
These tests should be made by tho gov.
II the company will not nav the
'pense. The committee has selected tbe
atos which, In its opinion, oughb to be
sted. lt recommends that the money
'ccssary for such tests be- taken from any
'retotorc Appropriated for the incrcase 81
e navy under the head of "arnor and
anu
Before tho house adjourned Joint re.o-
ton directing the secretary of tho navv
nave plates now on certain sbins ~.
Owed and subjected to balllstic tcsts yva.
reed 10 and the rport of the arnor
ate committee was orlcrcd to be printed