Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-08-24

AcNlcetu AALiFo Al-lv' -
Chairman Of the House Com nittee on
Naval Affairs, presented 70 the House
to-day tho preliminary report upon the
invesllgation Of she armor plate and
bolts furnished to the Government By
the Carnegie Steel Company. The re-
port is a remarkably cOmplets and min
ute review OF the case. The Committee
finds that charges Of fraud have been
sustained, scores the company severely,
and recommends that dtty-nine sus-
pected plates in use should be tested as
the only method Of proving their ht-
ness or unftuess. II also finds that the
Government inspection was negligent
but no charge Of dishonesty rests upon
the inspectors. The charges against
the company are summarized as Io'-
lows:
First-The plates did not receive the
uniform treatment required by the con-
tract.
Sscond-False reports Of treatment
OF the plates were systematically made
TO the government inspectors.
Third-NO bolts received the treat
ment prescribed for in the Specihca-
tions in either contract. A report OF
double treatment was made 10 the
government inspectors.
Fourth-Specimens taken from the
plates, both before and after treatment
TO ascertain the tensile strength OF each
plate were scratched without the
knowledge Of the government inspec-
tors. 80 as 10 increase their apparent
tensile strength when actually less.
Fifth-Thess specimens taken from
other plates were substituted for the
specimens selected by the government
ia sctors.
Sxth-Ths testing machine was re-
peatedly manipulated by order OF the
superintendent Of the armor plate mill
so as 10 increase the apparent tensile
strength OF the specimens. These
. oecimens were juggled In measure
LIT 80 as 10 increase their apparent
oIfnty.
Nyenth-Various specimens selected
bf the government inspectors were re-
treated without their know edge before
they were submitted 10 test
Eighth-Platss selected by the gov
erpment for ballistic test were retreated
with the intention Of improving their
ballistic resistance, without the know,-
edge OF the government inspectors. In
one case, 20 least, the conclusion is al
most irresistible that the bottom OF
another plate was substituted for the
ton half OF plate Al 619 after it had
been selected by the government aud
while awaiting such inspection az lndi-
An Head. Upon this ballistic test a
group OF plates containing 3iS tons,
valued at about $50, coo, we're TO be &C
cepted or rejected. ia three cases, az
least, the plates selected by the govern
ment inspectors were re-treated in this
manner without their knowledge. These
ballistic plates represented I19 tons Of
armOr, valued az over $4,000. The
groups represented by these three plates
had all been substituted for premium
OF $50 per ton if they passed a more Sc
we're test than required for acceptance.
Ninth-In violation Of the Specihca-
tions of the contract pipes or shrink
ing cavities, enormously called blow
holes, 10 the plates were plugged By the
contractors aud the defects concealed
from the government Inspectors; these
cavities in some cases diminishing the
resistance and value OF the plate.
Tenth-The inspectors stamp was
either duplicated or stolen aud used
without the knowledge Of the govern
meut inspectors.
Eleventh-The government Inspector
Inspecting bolts was deceived by means
cf falsa temDletS or gauges.
Much Of the testimony is reviewed in
the report 10 is said that the first
charge is admitted by Superintendent
Schwab, and that the specifications
meant that the plates should be OF uni
form quality before treatment, AMI be-
subiected 10 practically uniform treat
ment, when practically uniform results
would follow.
The following charge is said TO be
Droved BY the rough records OF the
company: "It Is proved" says the re-
,ort s'that the bolts never received but
6na treatment, while it was OF the ut
voost Importance that they should re-
"a two treatments. Experiments had
II, made showing that, unless this
sstment was given, the bolts would
Srsok pnder 3 heavy blow, rendering
tha armor, in q measure, useless. It
"a had result OF this Acknowledged
,rs,d that to-day the armor on our
,bins is held in place by bolts which
he eomDsny acknowledges have re-
, ,etved but one treatment, when two
u rere absolutely necessary.
"Tbe investigation shows that there
vore only two furnaces for the treat
,,ent Of plates and bolts st the works
nm IN September /, 1-92 After this q
sbird furnace was completed and used.
Srhsse three furnaces did all the work
nm no August 1, 1898, when fourth
~ added. After information Of the
t,srds Dracticed in the works was given
,otbe Navy Department, and penalty
svacted by the decision Of the Presi-
So,t other furnaces were added, untll
to-day ten are IN use.
,Tt will be noted, however" adds the
~o,ort "that the contract Of November
On 800. provided for the manufacture
80 far greater quantity than the con-
t-ocr ~ February 2S, 1898, no penalties
Saing exacted for the failure TO deliver
S.eciied amounts, at specified times.
Jvnen the contract Of February 2S was
sig.ed the company was far behind In
80. 5aliveries under the first contract
t. ,bree furnaces were entirely made
80 to carry out the prOvisioT~Of that
eeontraet. vet for five months they had