The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-08-23
GUILTY OF
ARMoR FRAUDS.
House Committee SuStainS
Charges and Scores the
Carnegie Company.
ELEVEN SEPARATE COUNTS.
Plates and Bolts Falsely Treated
Before Being Put to
Tests.
INSPECTORS STAMP STOLEN.
Testing. Machine Tempered With
and Cavities PIugged---Speci-
mems Substituted.
STAMP STOLEN.
(By Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON. d. c., Aug. 23.-Rep-
reseptatve Amos j. Cummings, Chair
man of the House Committee on Naval
Affairs. presented to the House to-day
the preliminary report upon the inVesti-
CATION Of the armor plate and bolts fur,
nished to the Government by the Car
negie steel Company.
The investigation has been in progress
TOR weeks, and during its course testi-
mony has been given by the principal
officials Of the Carnegie Company, by
vorkmen and by Government officials
The report is.a remarkably complete
and minute review Of tn case.
The Committee finds that the charges
of fraud have been sustained. scores the
Company severely and recommends that
fifty nine suspected plates in use should
be tested as the only method of proving
their fitness or unftpess.
1t also finds that the Government in
spection was negligent and defective.
but no charge of dishonesty rests upon
the inspectors. The charges against the
Company are summarized as follows:
First-The plates did not receive the
uniform treatment required by the spe-
cifcations of the contract.
Second-False reports OF treatment of
the plates were systematically made to
the Government inspectors.
Third-No bolts received the double
treatment provided for in the specifica-
tons Of either contract. A report of a
double treatment, however. was made to
the Government inspectors.
Fourth-Specimens taken from the plates
both before ami after treatment to as
certain the tensile strength of each plate
were stretched without the knowledge
Of the Government inspectors, so as to
increase the apparent tensile strength
when actually tested.
Fifth-False specimens taken from
other plates were substituted for the
plates selected by the Government in
spectors.
Sixth-The testing machine was fire.
quently manipulated by order Of the SUI
perintendent Of the armor-plate mills to
Increase the apparent textile strength Of
the specimens. These specimens were
jugged In measurements SO as to in
crease their apparent ductility.
Seventh-Various specimens selected
oy the Govsrnment inspectors were re-
Treated without their knowledge before
they were submitted to test.
DENT inspectors for ballistic test were re-
Rfeated with the intention OF improving
Hheir ballistic resistance without the
knowledge Of the Government lnspec-
Htors. In one case at least the conclusion
almost irresistible ths he bottom OF
an armor plate was SUI tuted for the
top half Of plate A 619 ai.er II had beer
Ing shipment to Indian Head,
Upon this ballistic test group OF
plates containing a4s tons. valued a.
about $4,000, were to be accepted Of
plates selected by the Government in
spectors were retreated In this mannel
Without their knowledge. These BALLS
yalled at about $4,000 The groups
represented by these three plates hat
~ been submitted for the premium o
~ per ten II they passed a more Sc
Nmth-ln violation OF the specification
the contract pipes or shrinking cayi
nes, erroneously called blowholes, in tn
na H. were plugged by The re, contractor 0r
some cases diminished the resistanc
sHE value Of the plate.
ut,|her duplicated or stolen, and use
mlthout the knowledge Of the Govern
msnt Inspectors,
Inspecting bolts was deceived by mean
Much of the testimony given Is rC
sewed in the report. IT Is said that tn
arst charge Is admitted by Supt. Schwa
shd that the specifications meant tha
me plates should be of uniform quaiit
SeIore treatment. when practically I'm
form results would follow.
hi ne second charge IL said to be prove
UV me rough records of the Compan
over 700 plates and lots of bolts.
UnH proved" says the report, ''ths
Ne polts never received but one treat
Ument, while Il was of the utmost an
Rortance that they should receive Nv
stlnents; The peculiar shock To whic
mr. Would he subjected In battle frOl
p'ec'lles and from ramming require
tb., nperlments had been made shown
ufoI, unless this treatment was given Il
fenSI Would break under q heavy blnS
s. II Is q bad result OF this acknow
a fraud that to-day the arnror I