New-York tribune., 1896-12-12
CONSTRUCTOR BOWLES WINS
srcRErARY HERBERT SETTLES DIS
purE OVER THE TEXAS.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF CAPTAIN 'iN'' 80
~ pow REPAIRS SHOULD BE MADE DIS
AprRovEp-rIIE SECRETARY ANGRY
AT THE DELAY on THE VESSEL
inv rr,ropAPH TO THE TRIBUNE


inv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBcNE]
Washington. Dec. n-The Secretary o.. ''lo I na.
has considered and settled official difference "
. "..., rI.nrv GLASS the commanding onicer
=, ,bo h.t,lc-sh;p Texas. and the Naval CoiisA u
=, IN. prooklvn Navy Yard, Francis l. po"'''
The Texas has been much In eVioe"ce aa ',.' -,
She has figured conspcuousy In the pu'''o &c
most from the day she went into commisso"' Jun
isaa various have been the reasons for her pro"''
go. peo.n,,y she grounded at Newport. sank az
~. prookvu NAVY Yard wharf and narrowly es-
caped damage while being docked at tnat s.auoi
few days ago. In the latest instances IN "ii'on
erences to the Texas have appeared III the pieS' '
names OF Captain Glass and Constructor 'o"''s 10
figured The difference between these TWO o'oei'
which the Secretary has just settled whhe ho' Oh
great moment, brought forth number OF ofnc'ai
communications. In Mr.. Hcrberts decision con-
etructor Bowles comes out on top
This is the story In the case: a rev Gays ago 'e'
tain repairs Texas were ordered py the 0ecic
tary OF the Navy. Includsd In these was WORK on 'he
vessels bukheads 1t seems that these bulKheaas
were regarded by the authorities as not suncienty
strong Accordingly It decided to strengthen
them in certain parts to guard against serious uaih-
age TO- II not the loss Of the vessei, IN case wafer
should get inside some Of her lower compartments.
II Is not known exactly how the strengthening was
In be done but It can he said that under Mr. Her
bert's directions the bulkheads were TO be more
nrmly braced or secured to guard against mishaps.
Under naval regulations such work falls under the
supervision Of the constructor OF navy yaro' Inc
labor on the Texas being done at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard. 1t falls under the supervision OF Constructor
Bowles.
Mr. Bowles II seems, considered the needs OF the
ship and decided to make the improvements required
IN q certain way Learning OF the manner IN whch
the work to be performed, Captain Glass raised
objections, and informed the commandaM OF the
Eew-York station Commodore Sicard. that the ex-
IL. ~ Qati
factory or sufficiently strengthen the bulkheads He
recommended that his suggestions be adopted.
In connection with the recommendation Commodore
oicard sought the views Of Constructor Bowles. All
expressions in the matter were committed TO writing.
IN order that a careful record of the might be
made Constructor Bowes explained his plans some
what in detail. saying that they would fully meet the
requirements.
subsequently his views were submitted to Cap
tain Glass. who again asserted that the proposed
manner of stiffening the bulkheads OF tAe vessel
was not satisfactory. Commodore Sicard then
dorsement referred the correspondence to the
eecretary Of the Navy. From what Is heard at the
feeling on the I part % OF h Capaa S
spoke In terms Of particular earnesiness as q what
should be done to improve the vessels oulkheads
sure Of any water that might by accident get
into her lower compartments. In his indorsement
transmitting the correspondence to the Navy De.
partment, Commodore Scard approved the plans OF
Constructor Bowles.
It seems that Secretary Herbert somewhat
provoked at the official difference between the cap
tain of the Texas and the New-York Yard Con-
structor. The Secretary has shown much anxiety
of late to get the Texas ready for cruising At
present she is unit to go to sea. While the cor
respondence going between Commodore
Sicard Captain Glass and Constructor Bowles. no
labor was performed on the ship In other words.
length Of time. This fact. It seems. angered Mr..
Herbert considerably. When the case was laid
before him he lost no time in reaching decision.
He supported Constructor Bowles's contention,
thereby disapprovins the recommendations OF Cap
tain Glass.
The same day that the case was reviewed and
decided Mr.. Herbert sent peremptory directions TO
ing the bukheads Of the vessel in the manner pro
posed bv Mr. Bowles The Secretarys order has
doubtless reached New-York by this time Naval
ohicials that the repairs will now be pushed TO
speedy completion. The exact language Of Mr..
Herberts order IL not known, but 1t is said that he
opoke sharply in the matter. indicating dispeasure
al the delay In getting the ship ready for cruise
and his expectation that there would be fur
ther procrastination In the matter.