The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-10
THE NAVAL BOARD MEETS
TO sOERTAIN COST OF A GOV
HRNMHNT FACTORY.
A JERSEY WOMAN OFFERS A SITE
Two Battle Ships Now Held Back Because
Contractors Will Not Bid Within the
Congressional Limit Of $500
For Armer-Piate.
For Armer-Plate.

Washington, Aug. 9-The special naval
Ao,rd appointed by acting secretary
Roosevelt for the purpose OF preparing
For the information of Congress estimates
n the cost of establishing and operating
,,va-nmeDt plant for the manufacture
Of .rmor. met at the Navy Department
-o-s.v All of the members were pre-
sent. namely, Commodore Howell, capt
Mccormick. Civil Engineer Perry, Lieut.
.,.nt Fletcher and Lieutenant Cham-
t.srs. recorder Before proceeding with
IN. work OF organization, the members OF
the board called upon acting secretary
Roosevelt and had long talk with MN
respecting the undertaking before them.
Tho acting Secretary expressed MS views
"a 10 the intention of Congress and the
hoard was ready for work after room
had hem secured. The plan Is 10 make
thorough investigation OF the question:
nrasentad In all of its aspects, not only
18th a view TO the ascertainmenr Oh the
aost of building a great government fac-
tory Int after that has been accomplish
VI
81 the propositions will be invited lOr
.he sale of a complete plant TO the gov
srament. While this last information
vas not specifically directed TO be FUR
nished to Congress in the Act, 1T is deem
cd desirable to supply it, in order to per-
NIT of a consideration Of the economic
advantages Of each plan. In the pur-
suit of the first branch Of the subject 1t
L foT "a
n good deal, possibly to Europe before
NE inquiry is ended, though that has not
vet been determined upon. Certainly 1T
viii be necessary for 1t to vlsit many
ueints in this country where it has been
suggested that government plant may
spe adyantag eously established, in order
10 ascertain at first hand their relative
merits and to learn which of them pre-
sents the necessary conditions. These as
laid down for the guidance of the board.
sre first, accessibility to iron and coal
and routes of transportation so that the
heavy armor produced may be readily
laid down at tide water where naval
vessels are built. Next, weight must
be given to the character of the popula-
tion of the place from an industrial point
of view and its ability to furnish large
srnment to draw upon in manning its
plant So far there has been no lack of
suggestions to the Navy Department
from people who would like to locate the
plant. They have come according TO
acting Secretary Roosevelt from Ma
zion, Ind; from Birmingham, Ala; from
Pennsylvania; from Maryland, and in
deed from almost every part Of the cOun-
TRY where there is iron and coal. One
recommendation for site in New Jersey
came from a woman. According to Mr..
Roosevelt some of the places mentioned
had only the scenery to recommend them.
Inasmuch as the ship builders have failed
20 respond favorably to the government S
invitation to submit bids within the $500
mark for supplying armor for the ships
now building, Mr.. Roosevelt called the
especial attention Of the board to this
subject and one of its first duties will
be to devise some practicable plan for
the procurement of this armO- for the
three battleships, Illinois, Alabama and
Wisconsin within a reasonable period OF
time.
Acting Secretary Roosevelt has accept
ed the offer of Cramp to furnish the
diagonal armor for the Alabama and this
ensures that vessel against delay i'll con-
struction. Regret is expressed that the
contractors who are building the two 9th
er vessels have not as yet made similar
proposition as to their ships, but if some
such proposition is not Forthcoming soon
Mr.. Roosevelt will direct the construc-
ton bureau to Immediately prepare plans
for proceeding with the work on these
ships as well as possible in the absence
OF the diagonal armor. Cramps Offer
is to furnish four of the plates that are
used as bulk heads in the interior OF
the ship, weighing about thirty tons and
this he agrees TO do at the price Of $500
per ton set by Congress, for which act
ing Secretary Roosevelt has officially
thanked him.