New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-12
THE ARMOR-PLATE PROBLEM.
NO SOLUTION REACHED BY THE SENATE
NAVAL COMMITTEE.
MANUFACTURERS OFFER TO REDUCE PRICES IF
~. THEY CAN BE ASSURED OF A STEADY DE-
MAND-zoFFIcERs NOT TO BE AL
LOWED TO ACCEPT EMPLOY
MENT WITH ARMoR-

MAKERS.
Washington. April 11.-For upward OF two hours
this afternoon the Senate Committee on Naval Ar
fairs discussed the subject OF armorplate and Kim
dred topics This discussion was based on the tes-
iimony which has been taken In secret during the
last :wo months the result OF senator Chah-
dlers resolution dill Getting the committee TO tnves-
gate the subject OF plate, the prices paid by
the Government, the ownership OF patents and the
connection Herewith Of naval officers OF the United
States.
Just what is a fair price for the armor purchased
by the Government, and for which 1t Is now ana
has for many years been paying 500 ton. Is
diffcIlt question for the committee TO answer The
evidence before the committee both Of armor-plate
manufacturers and naval officers conversant with
the details of the business. has shown that IL COSTS
labor and material included, about 800 ton 10
make the plate used on the ships Of war OF this
country This leaves profit OF 500 a ton for the
Carncges and the Bethlehem Iron Company. the
only concerns in the United States capable Of sup
plying protective armor The representatives OF
both these companies told the committee that II
they could have steady contracts ranging over a
period Of. say. ten years. they could manufacture
this plate at a reduced cost possibly at 500 ton
less than that now charged TO the Government but
that unless there some assurance OF steady
demand for plates ii would be impossible for them
In considering the cost OF the plate both firms took
the committee the immense amount or capitaI IN
vested in the plate shops which were utterly use
less for other purpose and they declared That
the periodical character Of the work given 10 them
compelled them to charge what had been PAID re-
Gently. The Bethlehem people insisted that they
had taken the contract for Russian armor.plate at
a price much lower than that paid by this Gov
eminent for the sole purpose OF keeping the men
skilled in that business constantly employed IN their
plate shops 1t 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 committee said that y they
could have continuous work for the United states
they would be enabled to reduce the cost. Under
such conditions they would not be under the neces
skilled artisans could be kept together. So II hap
pens that the problem presents so many phases
that its solution does not yet appear plain to the
II was decided to-day that the Secretary Of the
Navy ST. ould not be interfered with in the letting
and the Kentucky, the two new batue-ships re-
Gently authorized but for which the armor contracts
have not been let. The Secretary will be permitted
to go ahead with his contracts. unmindful OF thir
TO reach conclusion which Will lessen the cost Of
the armor for the four new battle-shps authorized
In the Naval bin passed by the House and now be-
The subject Of officers either Of the active or re-
tired list OF the Navy accepting employment with
Government has also received the careful consider
alton Of the committee. and the conclusion has
about been reached that this policy should not be
permitted, for the reason that IL Is believed to
bring the Navy. Department and contractors into
close intimacy where, In fact, there should be an
tagonism Of Interests. 1t Is not improbable that
legislation will be suggested to prevent this in the
future.