Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-12
PRICES OF ARmoR-rLArH.
Profit of the Manufacturers About
500 n Tom

F4VV ~ 10Rs
WARRINGTON. ID. c., April u.--For
upwards OF two hours this afternoon the
senate Committee on Naval Affairs dis
cussed the subject of armor-plate and
kindred topics This discussion was
based on the testimony that has been
taken In secret during the past two
months, as the result OF Senator Chand-
lers resolution directing the committee
TO investigate the subject OF armor-plate.
the prices paid by the government, the
ownership OF patents, ana the connection
States.
Just what is fair price for the armor
purchased by the government, and for
which It is now, and has been for many
years, paying 500 a ton, Is diff
ficult question for the committee to an
swer The evidence before the commit
tee, both of armor-plate manufacturers
and naval officers conversant with the
details OF the business. has shown that
II costs, labor and material included.
about 500 ton to make the plate used
on the ships OF war of this country. This
leaves profit Of 500 a ton for the Car
negies and the Bethlehem Iron Company.
and only concerns In the United States
capable OF supplying protective armor.
The representatives OF both these COM
panies told the committee that, IL they
could have steady contracts ranging over
a period OF. say, ten years. they could
manufacture this plate at a reduced cost,
possibly OF 500 a ton less than that now
charged the government, but that I'M
less there was some assurance of a steady
demard for the plate. II would be i'm
possible for them to cut the price.
In considering the cost Of the plate.
both firms took into consideration and
brought prominently before the com
mittee the immense amount OF capital
invested in plate-shops that were utterly
useless for any other purpose; and they
declared that 10 was the periodical char
acter Of the work given them that COM
PEELED them TO charge what had been
paid recently.
The Bethlehem people insisted that
they had taken the contract for Russian
armor-plate at price much lower than
that paid by this government. for the
sole purpose OF keeping constantly en-
ployed in their plate-shops the men skilled
In that business. II was asserted that
this work was being done at practically
the cost Of manufacture. and that the
profit was merely nominal. Continuing
this line Of argument. the representatives
OF this firm recently before the com
mittee said that, II they could have con-
tlnuous work for the United States,
they would be enabled TO reduce the cost.
Under such conditions they would not
be under tho necessity of devising some
scheme through which their skilled arti-
sans could be kept together. SO II hap
pens that the problem presents so many
phases that its solution does not yet APP
pear plain TO the committee.
II was decided to-day that the Secre-
tary of the Navy should not be interfered
with IN the letting OF contracts for
the armor OF the Kearsarge and the Ken
lucky. the two new battleships recent
~ authorized, but for which the srmor
contracts have not been let. The Secre-
tsry viii he permitted to go ahead with
his contracts. unmindful Of this invest-
CATION, but the committee hopes 10 be
able TO reach a conclusion that will les
sen the cost OF the armor for the four
new battleships authorized in the naval
bill passed bv the House. and now be-
fore the Senate.
The subject of officers, either on the
active or retired list OF the navy. accept
ing employment with corporations or
firms contracting for work for the gov
eminent has also received the cate1ul
consideration OF the committee and the
conclusion has about been reached that
this is policy that should not be per-
nitted. for the reason that II Is believed
20 bring the Navy Department and con-
tractors into too close intimacy. where,
in fact, there should be an antagonism
Of Interests 1t is not improbable that
legislation will he suggested to prevent
this in the future.