The Washington times., 1894-07-07
SKIN THEN OFT The SHIPS
Schwab's Suggestion as to Alleged
Defective Armor Plates.
COMMITTEE AGAIN At WORK
Tsstineny Of the HsnsstssA Superintendent
Bore Very Hard Upon the Government In
spsctes-LsEitinats 70 Jockey the Test
ing Machine Lieut. Alderman Ridiculed

III you want to test our plates skin them
o6 the ships was q suggestion Of superin-
tsndent G. N. schwab yesterday to the House
Committee on Naval Affairs which 10 investi-
eating the armor-plate frauds. Mr. Schwab
has been since October, 1892, superintendent
OF the Homestead works.
''That's the thing to do," said Chairman
Cummings, replying to the invitation.
"win your company bear the expense2"
Representative Dolliver asked.
II cannot answer that" he said, and coz
tinued that the testimony Of Capt. Sampson
was on record that the company turned out
the best plates ever made. Witness had been
removed from the armor department, he said,
ss the request Of Sampson.
Regarding blowholes, he did not think there
had been large ones nor that their conceal
ment was fraud. In his opinion retreat
ment did not benefit plates. The inspectors
gave permission to vary treatment when II
was asked. He knew blowEoles had been
file both with and without the knowledge
OF the insL Lectors. As stockholder to the
extent OF e20O. 900 It was to his advantage to
increase the output.
The superintendent stated further that his
Instructions had always been to sacrifice time
and cost to the quality Of the plates. He read
letters and orders in support Of the statement
dated after October, 1893.
He said he had never directed or intimated
that false statements should be made to the
government inspectors, nor did he believe
that they had been made. He did not con-
slider blowholes objectionable. but some In
spectors did. Under his orders the discard
had amounted TO 60 per cent.
He continued: Il think we made 8 mistake
in endeavoring to cater to and please govern
ment inspectors. Lieut.. Ackerman, who was
recently there, knew absolutely nothing about
1t, not so much ss bright schoolboy.'
He said Lieut.. Alderman had told Super
Frick on leaving that. he was ab-
solutely satisfied. To literally carry out
directions that all plates should be uniformly
treated would produce the worst results.
Each plate had an Individuality and required
was the ballistie test. Altogether the testi-
nony bore hard upon the government inspec-
tors.
Superintendent Schwab said that had COM
petent and practical inspectors been appointed
there would have been no occasion for Cline
to change reports. Lieut.. Ackerman's ideas
had been too ridiculous to repeat. and the
had not listened to him.
Mr.. Schwab had dined with the lieutepant
nearly every night, and the latter had ex-
pressed himself US delighted with the works.
Workmen had been ordered not to talk, be-
.ause they were not in a position to give cor
rect Information or might give useful points
10 q rival firm. There was dissatisfaction
With Cline because he was hard on the men
md probably was one motive inducing them
o make the charges.
He considered 1t legitimate to jockey the |
esting machine 5000 or 900 pounds in get
ing the tensile strength. Speaking Of the
government contract. Schwab said that he
lid not consider 1t reasonable to hold the |
company up to the standard Of the best plates |
,nder exceptional circumstances.
The testimony Of Schwab was finished and
he committee adjourned until a week from |
lext Tuesday