The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-05
RESULT is DOUBTFUL
The Visit Of the Three Cities Committee TO
Washington VIII Prove UnayaIIlng.
A NAVAL COMMITTEE OF SHIP BUILDERS
This is the Rock Upon which the
Committee Founders Secretary
Contracts Are More Economical
We May Get u Torpedo Bont.

Washington. D. c.. Feb. 4-(Special.)
When the Norfolk steamer pushed
through the fog banks and ianned
al the Washington wharf this morning
Il large delegation landed and then
packed TO the Metropolitan Hotel for
breakfast.
The delegation was composed of repre-
sentative citizens from Tidewntcr Vir-
ginia as follows:
Representing Portsmouth-Nlayor L.
ii. Davis. John j. King, John W. Hap
per. c. S. Sherwood, J. Il. Weaver. w.
V: III. Williams, and ]. Davis Reed.
For Norfolk-Cap,ain James w. Nc
Carrick, Thomas Townsend, II. B. Good
rich. It. A. Dobie and Robert Johnson.
For Norfolk county-Judge Pcrtlock,
Colonel X. c. Marshall, and Alvah, II
Martin. {:
For Berkeley George g. Martin and
l.. G. Jones
The object of the visit was to appeal
to the Senate Committee on Naval
Affairs /, amend the Hale bill by a pro-
vision requiring the building of one or
more of the new battleships at the
Norfolk navy-yard. The Hale bill pro-
rides for the building OF six ships and
twenty-five torpedo boats by contract
U private concerns. The delegation
was met by Senator Daniel and intro
duced before the Committee Several
OF the gentlemen spoke declaring that
unless some of these ships were sent to
the Government yards they would soon
relapse into only repair Shops and the
large force of skilled 1aborers now
owning their homes near the Norfolk
yard would be compelled to seek ON
ployment elsewhere, and thus render the
yard Nalueless in case of immediate
need. The policy of the British Govern
ment who keeps ships always in course
OF construction i'll Its own yards. and
stimulates private enterprises by addi-
tional work was cited The fact that
private yards are represented by three
Senators in the committee docs not in
crease by any means the chances of
the Norfolk yard.
Senator Hale represents the Bath
Me, works: Cameron, the Cramps of
Philadelphia; and Perkins, Of Califor
MIA, the Union Iron Works at San Fran
cisco. The delegation called by appoint,
ment upon Secretary Herbert in The
afternoon and We're cordially received
the Interview resulted in i general cx-
cnanSe or views upon the subject in
which Secretary Herbert frankly stat
ell that he did not believe that Congress
would chanSe its present intention OF
having the ships built at private yards.
anu going further said that his persona
opinion was that the work could b,
more eNpeditiously and economically
d2he by contract than at Government
yards, the eight hour law and higher
wages operating against the latter. The
secretary held some little hope of hav-
ing some of the torpedo boats built at
me Government yards. but the battle
SHIPS VIII go by private contracts.
congressman Amos Cummings to-day
appeared before the Committee of the
inuse on Merchant Marine and Fish
cries and argued in favor of the present
compulsory pilotage laws This closes
me hearings before the COMMITTEES all
"i which viii be printed i'll a few davs
postmaster Herbert, of Portsmouth
was mere to-day and called at the Post.
oiiicc department. on business.
II. l.. W.