The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-04
BELLAIRE WANTS 1T.
ohio-side Town Willing to Give
Large Inducements for the
GOVERNMENT ARMOR PLANT
Which May no Provided for by conErs"
tn the Near Fu'urs-Ths Naval Board
Makes Its Report and Recommends an
Open Hearth Steel Plant for the nuk-
ing OF Ingoi'-PartIsularsOrthe Report
10 Secretary Long.

Bellaire people are interested in the
possibility OF the national government
building a great armor factory of its
own, Congressman Danford having
been interested in behalf OF the over
the-river town. When the proper time
comes the Bellaire people, it is said, will
make vigorous effort To secure the
big government industry. A site OF
twenty acres of ground and other in
ducements win be offered.
The naval board, appointed by au-
thority of Congress to ascertain the
cost of an armor plant, has made its
report to Secretary Long. of the navy
department.
The cost of plant suitable for the
making OF naval armor at the rate OF
about 5000 tons per annum, which is
fully equal to the capacity Of both Of
the existing private plants, Is set down
as about three and three-quarter mil
lion dollars No recommendation Is
made as to the location OF the plant, but
the board has accumulated much infor-
nation as to the merits OF various ELI
gilble locations which may be had by
Congress, II called for by II.
Secretary Long viii now proceed i'm
mediately to take the next step neces-
sary to carry out the wish OF Congress,
namely, invite proposals by advertise
ment for building such plant as that
designed for the use of the government.
The report, summing up the practical
billty, necessities, advantages and DIS
advantages of the proposed factory
says:
Tristan 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 class of labor spe-
cially skilled in the business.
Second--A government armor factory
not connected with an establishment
engaged In other branches of the steel
industry would depend for It's success
and economic administration upon a
constant demand for an output nearly
approaching It's full capacity.
Thlrd--If the government SHOULD es-
tablsh an armor factory the efficient
and economic maintenance or working
of that factory would necessarily de-
pend upon constant yearly approprl-
alton for ships to be provided with ar
NOR, because the armor produced at any
time must be specially designed for and
fitted to 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 and laborers that
had been trained to this industry. A
resumption at q later period would re-
quire the training at considerable eX-
pense of a new set OF men. In the mean
time the progress of the art would per
haps be such thai difficult and radical
changes would be required which I'M
der continuous working might nave
been gradually and easily made.
Fourth-The cost OF the plant, exclu-
slve of land, Is estimated at S3T4L9l-'
After a careful review Of the advar-
tages and disadvantage OF establish
ing a plant, in connection with an ar
NOR factory. capable Of producing the
steel ingots needed In making plates
Ohe chief disadvantages being the ilrst
cost OF S5l9l3a and the force of labor
that would nave 10 DC eHlpuAeul VIZ
board says: 1.-THE board considers that
the capacity to produce the steel
ingots is so important 90 the sue
cessful and economic administration of
an nrmor factory that It does not rec
ommend an establishment designed TO
obtain the ingots by purchase. \ cast
ing department for the molds, anvlls,
and such castings as need occasional
replacement, is necessary in either case,
and can be prohtably combined with
an open hearth steel plant as herein
outlined. In View Of the advantages
above mentioned. and Notwithstanding
the greater first cost Of the establish
ment, the board recommends that the
government nrmor factory includes a
plant for the production of open hearth
steel ingots,"