The times., 1898-11-01

The true significance of Naval Con-
structor Hichborns objection, made In his
recently published annual report. that
certain warship builders have been ac-
quiring experience at the expense of the
Government. WAS not fully appreciated
until pertinent inquiries at the Navy De-
partment yesterday developed the partic-
ulars In the Trigg torpedo boat matter.
William r. Trigg, of Richmond, Va,
was one of the bidders for supplying the
navy with nine torpedo boats and four
teen torpedo boat destroyers. bids for
which were advertised early in Septem-
ber.
Mr.. Trigg represented himself, it is said,
as member of the Trisg Shipbuilding
Company, of Richmond, and deposited
with the department the usual guaran-
tee fund when his bids were entered.
On September "a the awards were made
by the Navy Department and The Trigs
Company" received contracts to build
two destroyers and three torpedo boats.
| Armed with his specifications and plans
MI Trigg proceeded to Richmond and
nothing more was heard of the matter
until October s. when an article appeared
| in Richmond newspaper announcing
| that charter would be applied for ION
Monday for the company which Mr.. VIII
liam r. Trigg is organizing to build the
torpedo boats and destroyers, for which
| he has been awarded the contract by the
Government"
The newspaper article further stated
hot 1
| ship-building company: Lihuna T. Myers,
vice president, and William c. Preston,
| secretary.
Further information was chronicled as
follows:
THE directorate of the new company
| embraces about a dozen OF the most
prominent fnanciers here (RichmondD
All of the 100000 stock to be issued has
been subscribed for, the company has
given bond through the Virginia Trust
Company and contracts are being award
ed for equipping the plant. which is to
be located in the immense Talbot Ma
chine Works. which runs nearly to the
dock. where the vessels will be launched
The article referred to stated further
that twelve and eighteen months time
had been allowed for building the boats.
and that the city is working systematic
cally to deepen the channel Of the James
iAINei up 10 the dock gates.
But the most astounding part of the
publication was the statement that the
government (meaning the engineer officer
for that districu would be asked to aid
literally in this necessary work" Cmean-
ing deepening and widening the channel
in front of the Trigg Company planU.
1t appears from this that Mr.. Trigs
bid in the two destroyers and three ror-
pedo boats on his Individual nerve; that
ntA he roc I'D ~
had no plant nor was there a Trigg
Shipbuilding Company In existence; that
on october 5, sixteen days after he re-
ceived the contracts. it was announced
that a company was to be organized on
the following Monday to build the YES
sells ne had contracted for.
In other words, a company with $500
900 capital was to be built about the Gov
ernment contracts and then the work
was to begin. This irregular procee ling
was brought to the attention of Secre-
tary Long, but whether he intends TO
take any action is not known. 1t is a
case that clearly comes within Chief
Constructor Hichborn's objection TO am
ateur shipbuilders gaining experience at
the expense of the Government.
There is a War Department end to the
transaction, which was also looked into
yesterday-the allegation having be n
iiduc tiidl ALIs AGu
taken a hand in the scheme. Lizut. Col
Charles ]. Allen is in charge OF the work
of improving the James River from
Richmond to t,!e sea. His project of
Improvement was to secure a depth of
eighteen feet at full tide (ffteen at low
tide to Richmond. with channel width
of $50 feet The amount available at the
end of September last to continue tEis
work was but ss,3OS.3S. and operat ons
We're, therefore, practically suspended.
1t is rumored, however. that the river
space in front of the Trigg plant has been
| deepened and widened sufficient to per-
nit the launching and completion of the
destroyers and torpedo boats after tn y
are launched.
The matter caused a great deal of COM
ment at the Navy Department yester-
day, and officials are wondering what
action will be taken by Secretary Long.