The San Francisco call., 1897-02-07
ARM0R-PLATE INQUIRY.
Differences os TO The Cost Fer Ton May
Lead to the Establishment of
Government Plant


WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 6. The
disposition of the troublesome question OF
armor-plate, its cost, etc, appears TO be
one upon which the Committee on Naval
affairs cannot speedily reach conclusion.
An hour and half was consumed this
morning in considering the Chandler re-
port, but no conclusion was reached.
That portion relative to the cost of armoI
was not touched upon. The Secretary OF
the Navy fxeI the cost at $400 and Chan
dler reduces it 10 $500. The firms en-
gagged in the manufacture OF the armor
are now receiving $500 and $3.50 ton. The
committee will further consider the sub
ject next Tuesday.
1t is evident that the language of the
Chandler report is too severe in some re-
spects to suit the committee. During the
days session it was toned down in some
portions. The structures upon the alleged
conduct of Commodore Folger have not
yet been reached, but determined effort
$ to ne made by the friends of this official
to eliminate Chandler's severe condemna-
ton in this respect.
The main question before the committee
is what sum shall, be fixed as the proper
amount to be paid for armor plate. This
is Difficult. problem and its solution has
not been worked out. The consensus of
opinion appears 10 be, however, of naming
the amount in the bill instead of leaving
1t discretionary with the Secretary of the
Navy, as has been suggested by some
me m bers of the com mittee. 1t is believed
that in the end the committee will adopt
the figures of Secretary Herbert, viz, $400
ton. Extremists on the committee 20
even lower than Mr.. Chandler, Mr.. Till
man having stated that $l00 ton was suf-
hcient for tnis work.
1t is not the intention of the committee
to leave the Secretary at the mercy of the
two armor-plate concerns OF the United
States and thus Jeopardize tie thre arm
ored vessels now on the ways. Ii the price
is fixed at $400 a ton there will be a savin g
OF about $l50 a ton, or $500, COO on each
worship. The committee is iavora BILE to a
provision in the bill fixing the price to be
paid Tor this armor which will carry an
appropriation sufficient to enable the Sec
retary in his discretion to purchase or
build an armor-plate plant on behalf of
the Government.
This can be done, the committee be-
lieves, for $1,000 COO or $780, 900. This
will be done, Ii At all, not so much because
the Govern ment wants 10 build such a
plant, but for the reason that it Will act as
awho lesCme regulator and prevent the
armor-plate firms from refu sing to supply
armor at the price fixed by Congress-
Whether it would be wise for the Gov
ernment to enter upon this work is a ques-
ton upon which there is difference of
opinion. When he was before the COM
mittee Secretary Herbert stated that it
would probably cost more for the Govern
ment to construct plant than it would
cost private capital, and he admitted that
IT would also probably cost more to make
the armor. Th provisional appropriation
for such a plant is deemed essential TO COM
pei the contractors to lower their bids, and
there is no doubt but that it will be in
serted in the proposed bill