The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-12
COST or ARlIOR PLArE.
The Senate Investigating Committee Has
Dihcult Task.

! I nc HtLhtt iANtsliEatiNH committee lihh
Dimcult Task.
WASHINGTON, d. c.. April 11.-For
upwards of two hours this afternoon
the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs
discussed the subject Of armor plate and
Kindred topics. This discussion was
based on The testimony that has been
taken iH secret during the past two
months. as the result of Senator Chand-
lers resolution directing the committee
10 investigate the subject of armor plate,
the prices paid by the Government. the
ownership of patents, and the counec-
ton herewith Of naval officers of the
United States.
just what is a fair price for the armor
purchased by the Government, and FOR
which DO now and has been for many
years paying $500 ton is difficult
question for the committee TO answer.
The evidence before the committee. botn
of armor plate manufacturers and naval
officers conversaDt with tie details of
the business has shown that it costs
.abol and material included. about 500
ton 10 make the plate used on The
ships of war Of this country. This
leaves a profit of s20n o. ton for the Car
negies and the Bethlehem Iron Company
The only concerns in the United States
capable Of supplying protective armor
The representatives Of both these -cOm,
panies told the committee that If 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 tine Government: that
unless there was some assurance of
steady demand for plate. 30 would be
Impossible for them 20 crt tho price
REASON FOR COST.
IN considering the cost of the plate
Doth firms took into consideration and
brought prominently before tho commit
tee the immense amount Of capital invest
cd i'm plate shops that We're utterly use
less for any other purpose. ana they dee
ciarcd that 10 was the periodical oharac-
ter Of the work given them that COM
PEELED them 10 charge WHY had been paIa
recently.
The Bethlehem people insisted that they
had taken the contract for Russian armor
plate at a price much lower than that
paid by this Government. for the sole
purpose Of keeping constantly employed
in their plate shops the men skilled IN
that business. 1T was asserted that this
work was being done at practically the
cost Of manufacture. and that the profit
was merely nominal Continuing 'rhis
nue OF argument. the representatives OF
this firm recently before the committee.
said. that If they could have continuous
work for the United States they would
Doe enabled 20 reduce the cost Under
such conditions they would not be under
the necessity Of depising some scheme
through which their skilled artisans could
be kept together. SO il happens that
the problem prevents so many phases that
It's solution does not yet appear plain
In tho committee.
OTHER WORK
II was decided to-day that the Sccrc-
tary Of the Navy should 3 Dee inter-
tered with in the letting of contracts for
the arn/r for the keusargc ana the
Kentucky the two new batNeships re-
Gently authorized but for which the ar
NOR contracts have not been lct.
The Secretary viii Doe permitted TO go
ahead with his contracts uHmndful of
Fhis inycstOga zion. but the committee
hopes TO DE able TO reach conclusion
that will lessen the cost of the arm0r
for the four new batticships authorized
in the naval bin passed by the House
and now before The Senate
The subject Of officers. either on the |
active or retired list OF the Navy ac- |
cepting employment with corporations |
or firms contracting for work for the |
government has also received the careful |
Of the committee and |
the conclusion has about been reached |
That this is O. policy that should not Doe |
permitted. for the reason that 81 is be- !
hcycd to bring the Navy Department and |
contractors into close intimacy. where |
IN fact there should bee am antlrnoiero ~ /
interests 4 SIS not impr0balle tbot |
Legislation VIII be suggested to prcvont |
this in the future.