The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-14
CHANDELIERS UNIQUE IDEA.
He Introduces bis Bills for Government
Seizure Of Cdrleieie'S Plants
WHETHER OWNER Is WILLING OR NOT
sary for the Completion Of the Three
United states Bstileships-P
Characterized as Absurd.

WASHINGTON. >. c.. April i3.-Sena-
empowering the Secretary OF the Navy to
take possession OF the armor plants OF
the Bethlehem and Carnegie Companies.
There are two bills, ono applying 10 each
institution. the provisions being the same
in both. Senator Chandler says that II Is
contemplated that only the bethlehem
Works shall be taken. unless In case OF
necessity. when tho Carnegie institution
OF the bill authorizes and directs the
Secretary Of the Navy forthwith to take
possession Of such land. buildings ans'
machinery as constitute the armor max
ing plant Of the two companies
WHAT IT PROVIDES.
lie Is directed ito hold and use such
land buildings and machinery for a per-
tod Of time sufficient to enable said Secre-
tary 10 manufacture armOr plato nece5-
sary for the completion OF battie-ships
Alabama. Illinois and Wisconsin. now I'm
process q construction for the United
states. and thereafter 20 return possess
sion OF said land. buildings and machinery
90 said Bethlehem Iron Company to ha
held by said company as its own prop
crtv as If the taking hereby authorized
had not been made. and after said TAX
ing holding and using of said land build
ings and machinery by tho said Secretary
OF The Navy. for the purpose aforesaid
shall be deemed 10 be a taking thereof
for tho public use or the United states
under an obligs ton 10 make Just COM
pensation therefor. In accordance with the
NTH amendment TO the constitution"
OTHER PROVISIONS.
Tho bills provide for adjudication or any
claims that may arise against the govern
ment ont Of the transaction by the Court
OF Claims. whose Judgment In the case
is 10 be final. The award and allowance
are 10 include sums sufficient 10 equal
the damage by wear and tear OF tho plant
and interest upon its actual value. such
additional sums as may be fairly due for
each year s use of said plant"
Successive suits are authorized Tor each
year that the plants are held and jury
trials arc authorized unless the right 20
jury trial is waived by the owners Of the
plant.
THE PROPOSITION ABSURD.
PHILADELPHIA. PA. April i3.-Jo-
seph Wharton. OF this city. large stock
holder of the Bethlehem Iron Works, and
a director of the company expressed sur
prise when informed of senator Chand-
lers proposition that the Government
seize the Carnegie and Bethlehem plants.
tie characterized the idea as absurd In
the highest degree.
The statement that the Carnegie ana
bethlehem plants were begging for Gov
crumcut aid few years ago Is entirely
false he said. 1t Is fact that neither
company viii make armor plates for 500
a ton or anything like that price. When
We began the business of armor plate
making some years ago we got about $3.50
"a ton for plain steel plates.
"Since then thc process OF manufacture
has been complicated. and We have had 10
furnish more expensive material. Now
we have to put So worth OF nickel in
each ton. Beside that We must harNeyize
the metal which is a costly operation,
and in doing it many plates are spoiled
'Of course We have 10 bear the loss. The
prices we have recently been getting -
not eXtOrtionate. 10 is "a fact that tho
United States has been paving Jess for
armor plates of This quality than any
other country iu the world