Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-05-12
ARMOR PLATE COST.
Secretary Long Favors 500 Ton and
Opposes the Confiscation of Works.

Secretary Long Favors 500 Ton and
Opposes the Confiscation of Works.
Washington, May lin a letter 10
Senator Hale, Chairman Of the Naval
Committee. Secretary Long opposes the
Chandler bills to seize the armor-plate
plants of the Carnegie and Bethlehem
Companies, and the Perkins amend
ment to increase the limit Of price for
armor to $3.50 per ton, and to authorize
the construction of a government armor
plate plant at a cost of 81 500 900. He
also opposed the $3.50 per ton limit, and
recommended $500 per ton. Secretary
Herbert and the department had held
that a plant could be constructed for
$1,5OC coo, but Secretary Long confirms
the views of the Carnegie and Beth
hem experts by insisting that it would
require at 100000 to equip a plant.
The letter says:
The bureau is Of the opinion that
neither of the armor-makers will con-
sent to supply armor under present re-
quirements at the price named. 1t Is
also the bureaus opinion that the sum
named for the purpose of establishing
a government armor factory would be
inadequate. Although $1,500,000 is the
sum estimated by the department, it
must be remembered that an armor
plant, separated from the manufacture
of the steel ingots themselves would be
useless. The largest steel ingots need
ed for the manufacture of armor can
at present only be supplied by the Car
negie and Bethlehem companies, and
the transportation would be Impossible.
Consequently, if the government pro-
poses to go into the business OF max
ing armor plate 1t must establish
plant complete in every respect. 10
obtain the necessary stock OF material
for working on a large scale for the
unavoidable experimental work in the
beginning. it Is thought that S3,OOO,OUv
would be more nearly the sum required
than 81, 100000.
"The bureau, therefore recommends
that this amendment be modified by
fixing the average rate per ton of arrnor
at $500 instead of $3.50, and by substi-
tuting $4,000, 600 for s1,500,OC0 for the
establishment Of an armOr plate rae
tory. In the bureaus opinion, the rec
ommendation twice made TO Congress
by the department that the average cost
of armor plate be fixed at $500 per ton
should be adhered 10. In case Congress
fails to alter the law as recommended,
or in case the armor makers refuse 10
manufacture the armor at this figure,
the bureau sees no other course except
that the battle ships Nos. 7, s and be
furnished with laminated armor. II
being inferior to solid armor, as we'll az
much easier to manufacture, can be
purchased within the limit OF $500 per
ton from other steel manufacturers ana
without excessive delay.
The deparement, while substantially
concurring with the above report Of the
bureau of ordnance, is further OF opln-
ion that to take possession of the amor
making plants of the Carnegie ana
Bethlehem companies for a period OF
time sufficient to manufacture the ar
NOR plate for the three battleships now
under construction would only subject
the government to great and uncertain
expense in preparing for and carrying
on the work, but might be held TO be
60 far a practically complete taking as
IN obIige it, upon trial before jury, TO
nav substantially the whole value OF
the property. 1t would not only be
taking of the property of those COM
NAMES for the use Of the United STATES
hut il would prevent them from making
contracts with other governments that