The record-union., 1897-12-02
GOVERNMENT ARM0R
PLATE PLANT,
The Board Appointed Under Author
iiy Of Congress
Makes Its Report Through Commodore
Howell, to Secretary Long.
The Cost of a Plant Suitable for
the Making of Naval Armor at
the Rate of Six Thousand Tons
Per Annum Estimated at Nearly
Three and Three-Quarter Mil
lion Dollars.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The board
appointed by authority of Congress to
ascertain the cost of an armor plata
plant made its report through Commo-
dore Howell to Secretary Long to-day.
The report makes a voluminous docu-
ment, treating every detail of the pro-
cess OF armor-making essential to q.
correct apprehension of the cost of the
plant and of the product. 1t is also
accompanied by elaborate plans for the
plant which have been verified by Ex-
pert Fritz.
The cost of a plant suitable for the
making of naval armor at the rate
of about 5000 tons per annum. which
is equal to the capacity of both the
existing private plants, is set down as
about three and three quarter million
dollars. No recommendation is made
as to the location of the plant, but the
board has accumulated much informa-
ton as to the merits of various eligible
locations. which may be had by Con-
gress if called for by it.
Secretary Long will not proceed i'm
mediately to take the next step neces-
sary to carry out the wishes of Com
eress, namely, invite proposals by ad-
vertisenent for building such a plant
as that designated for the use of the
Government. 1t was at first the in
tention to withhold the report from
Congress until he should be able to in
clude this information, but he has now
determined to send in the report as
soon as Congress assemblies. meanwhile
put out the advertisements and notify
Congress of the results later.
1t is expected that Congress will be
advised also of the offers made by
both the existing armor- making con-
Germs to sell out to the Government,
and also other large interests to turn
over plants which, while not all like
the specifications of the board, will per-
nit OF alterations into effective plants.
All of this data, ii is expected, will
be very valuable to consideration of the
armor question, but the report of the
board, which may be strengthened by
an Endorsement by Secretary Long. will
make it quite evident that the Govern
ment carnot undertake to make its own
armor at the cost named under the
limit to be paid to private firms in
the last naval appropriation bill.
The Armor Factory Board consists of
Commodore Howell. Captain McCornl-
lex, Civil Engineer Endicott. Chief En-
gineer Perry and Lieutenant Fletcher.
Summing up the practicability, neces-
stiles, advantages and disadvantages of
the proposed factory, it says:
First-An armor factory comprises
essentially a collection of special fur
naces, heavy machine tools and appli-
ances that are not needed in any other
class of work, and a class of labor spe-
cialiy skilled in the business.
Second-A Government ar1nor factory
not connected with an establishment
engaged in other branches of the steel
industry would depend for its success
and economic administration upon a
constant demand for an output nearly
approaching its full capacity
Third-If the Government should es-
tablish factory the efficient and eco
nomic maintenance or working of that
factory would necessarily depend upon
constant yearly appropriation for
ships to be provided with armor be-
cause the armor produced at any time
must be specially designed for and fit
ted 10 those ships. Any failure to ap-
proprlate for those ships in any one
year would require the cessation of
work and the laying off indefinitely of
the skilled experts of labor that has
been trained to this industry. A re-
sumption of work at a later period
would require the training at a. consid-
cradle expense of q new set of men. In
the meantime, the progress of the art
would have, perhaps. been such that
radical changes would be required.
The following are estimates for the
cost, exclusive of land, of a plant ca
pable of making and furnishing ready
for the installment on board ship of
5000 tons per year of nickel steel face
hardened. reforged arrnor: