New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-20

TO BE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FOR sEcRE-
TARY HERBERT TO ANSWER
fly TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Washington June BIN prosecuting the nvestl-
cation of the armor-plate frauds It has been found
desirable and necessary to procure from the Navy
Department copies of all instructions sent to the IN
spectors at the works OF the Carnegie Steel Com
pany Chairman Cummings was Informed this
morning that IT will take about two weeks to make
copies OF the papers. from which 1t would appear
that the instructions were rather voluminous, II
nothing more. The examination OF Charles e. Sill
was continued ry the subcommittee to-day The
comparison of the original records OF the treatment
Of armor plates and bolts with the "doctored
reports made by superintendent Cline for the In
formation Of the Government inspectors was
finished These comparisons as a whole show
that than 90 per cent Of the reports handled
by Sill and made 10 the inspectors differed In one
or more respects from the reports sent BY the
heaters to Superintendent Cline. and by the latter
to Superintendent Corey.
The witness questioned the accuracy OF certain
memoranda furnished to the subcommittee by the
Navy Department purporting to be copies Of the
notes furnished to the Secretary OF the Navy by
the attorney for the informers. He pointed out
that these notes d;d not agree with the detailed
statement furnished to the Secretary. a copy Of
which he Identified. 1t appeared from Sls esti-
mony that ne began TO collect and preserve evil
dence Of fraud IN February 1893 and continued to
do until July s. 1893. The letter OF Superiaten-
dent Schwab, dated December u, 1899. 10 II. c.
Frick. denying the truth Of the allegations made
by the informers. read by Chairman Cum
mlngs. who questioned the wituess closely in
gard to the statements therein contained The
latter denied under oath OF schwab's asser-
lions. and contended that the records he had SUBJ
mitted as well as other testimony that could be
produced would corrobora,e his testimony
\ significant statement made by Sill in this part
OF the examination the effect that Mr.
Hunslker sometimes visited Superintendent Clines
department two or three times a week and then
again would rot be seen for week two" and
that General Superintendent Schwab came there
frequently. Mr.. Hunslker ranked next TO Mr. Frick
In authority. and IT is rather difficult to believe
under the circumstances that he at least, was
ignorant OF the sort OF work that was being done
under the direction OF General Superintendent /
Schwab. The extent OF Mr.. Hunsikers inforra- /
ton on this subject II he possessed any. has
yet been afcertained. nor has any attempt been |
made In that direction by calling upon either him
or Mr.. Schwab 10 testify.
The letter OF Mr. Hunsiker dated December g.
1899. to Mr.. Frck also read. and the witness
questioned In regard to 1t. In the course OF this
part Of the examination the witness testified that
the allegation that ope Of the plates (one-halO Of
the coming tower OF the Oregon was known to the
Secretary OF the Navy be defective before IL
was shipped 20 San Francisco. which appears 10
have been done while the secret investigation was
IN progress, some time between September ~ and
December !. 1896 Witness testified that he was
Informed by Secretary Herbert that he dhe Score
tary) had ordered the coming tower 10 be taken
apart before shipment but that Mr.. Hunsiker had
come TO Washington. and requested that II be
shipped as whole. saying that the Carnegie Com
pnny would hold Itself responsible and make good
any loss or damage that might thereby The
Secretary Of the Navy consented to this and his
explanation OF the reason according TO Srs test !
mony. that he did not desire that the Carnegie
Company should know that an investigation was
IN progress
given by Lieutenant Alderman FOR the failure 10
make n thorough examination and test OF the two
defective plates that were placed In position on
progress or since IL was finished Secretary Herbert
would brook interference with the policy OF !
secrecy which had been adopted. according 10 |
The Carnegie Company But why was that COM
pany so anxious 10 assume the risk attending the |
transportation OF the coming tower from f1tts5nrg
to San Francisco as a whole that one OF ITS nigh |
and confidential officials made Journey 70 Wash |
ington to persuade the Secretary OF the Navy to
revoke his order rsl9lrns u TO- be SHIPPED IN sec
which had escaped the observation ofthe Govern
should 10 taken apart for transportation?
Tho witness also testified that he and the other
OF the Navy pending the settlement and payment
OF their claims for. "a reward but he ga not under
ward After the original exposure OF the frauds
IN The Tribune bower some Of the pltT0Grs
"
charming them with conspiracy ana other crimes
and rnlSlcmeanors and smarting under these ac-
cusations which he believed and knew TO be UNJUST.
ha went 10 NJ. Hunsiker and asked him II me
company would make statement OF The facts
for pubicat lon. lie also tried - see MI Flick III
regard 10 the matter. but that gentleman sent
word that he was TOO busy Mr.. Hunsiker ad-
v.-ed against any public statement. either by me
company or the nfOrmeTs saying mat least sall
soonest mcnded." Il then told Mr.. Hensiker. con
tinucd the witness that II, the company did not
make public a statement Of the facts We would !
Thc fact that ex superintendent Cline and super
iutendcnf Corey. OF the Carnegie Company. have
subcommittee lent special interest 10 certain teS
tim1ny given by sill to-day II has been proved
beyond "A shadow OF u doubt mat plate NO ols
which represented group" OF eight-nch armor
plates amounting to about geo tons. was re-treatel
after IL had been selected the plate TO undergo
tho hallistc iost at the Indian Head proving
ground BY this rc-treGtmcnt the tenSN" strength
of tho plate increased about 400 pounds TO
the square inch. and the elastic limit was also
raised considerably. This re-trcatment took place
mont Inspector and selected by him for the ballisc
test and 70 also took place surreptuousN ana WITH
ont his knowledge. Sill testified today that ne
was present during n part OF the time that plate
No SO was undergoing this secret re- treatment.
and that Cline and Corey were also present at
was tcrv early In the morning. when there was no
danger OF a VISIT from the Government Inspector,
personally directing the operations. cline who was
superint endent OF thc press shop was aferwart
dismissed but Corey. his superior oniceF, was re-
occupied. when. according to Sills testimony he
participated In the secret and fraudulent retreat
ment OF plate No. Gl9 The examination OF cline
aud Corey Is awaited with interest
r,DTTTTN/ TT TINE STfTC rfMD