Omaha daily bee., 1897-08-10
WILL COUNT up The COST
Government Commission to Estimate Value
Of Armor Plant,
ORGANIZES AND IS READY FOR BUSINESS
VIII Also Ascertain Mt what Figure
the Private Plants Vow in Oper-
alton Can he Purchased by
the government.

WASHINGTON. Aug. "a special naval
board appointed by Acting Secretary Roose-
welt for the purpose of preparing for the in
formation Of congress estimates Of the cost
Of establishing and operating a government
plant for the manufacture Of armor met at
the Navy department today. All Of the
members we're present, namely, Commodore
Howell, Captain Mccormick, Civil Engineer
Endicott, Chief Engineer Perry. Lieutenant
Fletcher and Lieutenant Chambers, recorder.
Before proceeding with the work OF organ
ization the members Of the board called
upon Acting Secretary Roosevelt and had a
long talk with him respecting the undertake
ing before them. The acting secretary eX-
pressed his views as to the intention of con-
gress and the board was ready for work
after a room had been secured. The plan
is to max a most thorough investigation Of
the question presented in all Of It's aspects,
not only with a view to the ascertainment
of the cost of building a great government
factory, but after that has been accom-
plished propositions will be invited for the
sale of a complete plant to the government.
While this last Information was not spe-
officially directed to be furnished to congress
in the law, 1t Is deemed desirable torsupply
1t. in order to permit Of a consideration of
the economic advantages Of each plan.
In pursuit of the first branch of the sub
ject it will be necessary for the beard to
travel a good deal, possibly to Europe, before
the inquiry Is ended. though that has not
vet been determined upon. Certainly it will
be necessary for it to visit many points in
this country, where it has been suggested
that a government plant may be advan-
tageously established, in order to ascertain
at first hand their relative merits, and TO
learn which of them present the necessary
conditions. These as laid down for the guild
ance of the board are, 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 population
of the place from an Industrial point of
view. and its ability to furnish a large stock
of skilled mechanics for the government to
draw upon in manning its plant.
So far there has been no lack OF sugges-
ticns to the Navy department from people
who would like 10 locate the plant. They
have come. according to Acting Secretary
Roosevelt, from Marion. Ind, from Birming-
ham, Ala. from Pennsylvania, from Mary
land, and indeed, from almost every part OF
the country where there is iron and cCal.
One recommendation for a site in New Jer-
sey came from a woman. According to Mr..
Roosevelt, some of the places mentioned, had
only the scenery to recommend them.
Inasmuch as the shipbuilders have failed
~ NSPch ~ 49, 80
~vitation TO submit bids within the $500 mark
for supplying armor for the ships now
BUILDING Mr.. Roosevelt called the special at
tention of the board to this subject, and one
of it's first duties will be to devise some
practicable plan for the procurement of this
armor for the three battle ships, Illinois,
Alabama and Wisconsin within a reasonable
period of time.
Acting Secretary Roosevelt has accepted
the offer Of the Cramps to furnish the
diagonal armor for the Alabama, and this
ensures that vessel against delay in con-
struction. Regret is expressed that the con-
tractors for building the two other vessels
have not as yet made a similar proposition
in regard TO their ships, but if some such
proposition is not forthcoming soon Mr..
Roosevelt will direct the construction bureau
to Immediately prepare plans for proceeding
with the work on these ships as well as pos
sible in the absence of the diagonal armor.
Cramps offer is to furnish four of the plates
that are used as bulkheads 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 Acting Secre-
tary Roosevelt has officially thanked them.