New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-08
THE DRYDOCK SCANDAL
STILL GREATER FRAUDS BELIEVED TO
EXIST
NAVAL OFFICERS HAVE 40 DOUBT or THE CON-
TRACTORS CULPABrLITY-LEGAL MEASURES
AGAINST THEM UNDER CONSIDERATION
AN INEFFECrUAL ATTEMPT TO

TRACTORS CuLPABuITY-IEGAL MEASURES
AGAINST THEM UNDER CONSIDERATION
AN INEFFEcTUAL ATTEMPT TO
GUST CONSTRUCTOR BowLEs.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUxEl
Washington, Jan. THE latest developments
in the scandilous condition Of the contract work
on the big drydock OF the New-York Navy
Yard disclosed by the yet uncompleted investi-
cations OF Naval Constructor Bowles were the
subject Of general discussion among Naval Bu-
reau officers to-day some Of whom. from their
own personal observation inside the ooffer-dam
since 1t was pumped out and from private cor
respondence with officers on duty in Brook
lyn. declare that the full extent OF frauds has
not yet been officially made known. or the
culpability OF the contractors no doubt is raised
in any quarter. save in single instance where
some collateral responsibility at least for the
Governments loss may be eventually fixed.
In more than one instance. however protest
is raised against what is thought to be de-
liberate effort to shift the entire blame upoA
Civil Engineer Menocal. who. it is declared may
have been negligent. but perhaps not cognizant
Of wholesale violations Of specifications. officers
who have had considerable experience with pub
lie works Of some magnitude especially OF A
submarine or subterranean character declare
detail Of extensive operations. particularly IL
the Government fails to relieve him Of other
exactng duties. as 1t Is we'll known that de-
fects in rough construction may be readily con-
cealed by more or less ingenious methods. The
only wonder is that such )alpable evasions ot
such magnitude and of such continuity as those
at the entrance 0f drydock No. could have
been hidden from the most casual observer Of
experience in pile driving and concrete filing
However this may be. il is A fact that those
essential features Of Constructor Bowless re-
ports which have reflected most directly upon
Civil Engineer Menocal professionally have been
promptly forwarded TO that officer now in
Nicaragua. with a demand for his explanation
as a mere formal preliminary 10 the inevitable
court Of inquiry and. in all probability. the
ensuing court martial other officers directly
and less directly responsible. may also be placed
on record IN day or two.
LIABILITY OF TIE CONTRACTORS.
In the mean time Constructor Bowes is pur-
suing his labors with the support Of Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt who reposes the highest
confidence in all his suggestions, and the office
Of the Judge Advocate-General IS considering
the legal aspects Of the affair. The response
bilty Of the contractors and Of their bondsmen
for anv fraudulent work done by their employees
doubt. Notwithstanding the formal acceptance
Of the dock by the Nay Department, and the
full payment for the contract ara the release OK
the bond The contract called for the faithful
performance" Of the work and the bond for the
faithful execution Of the contract. The Cow
ernnent did not undertake anything faithfully
save 10 paw insaments as they became due
and this has been faithfully discharged be-
yond question. Nor did the Government by It's
appointment OF inspectors to pass upon the worh
as il proceeded, assume 10 relieve the con-
tractors from any fathfulness. The inspection Is
an additional Governmental safeguard against
the cupldity and stupidity Of contractors, but
not by constant espionage is it expected invaria-
biz to meet the devious devices or rascan'y'
The negligence of the inspector is against him'
but it does not relieve the contractor. THESE
are the conclusions Of the legal stan OF ths
Navy Department. who are now collecting ann
arranging the evidence deemed essential to con-
vince a court when proceedings are instituted
ATTEMPT TO GUST MIR. BoWLES.
Another unwritten chapter Of the Dock contro-
versy came 10 light to-day. II appears thas
some two weeks ago. before Constructor Bo"ies
had uncovered his startling evidences OF fraud
a determined effort was made to oust MN from
control Of the Investigation and repairs. Inc
purpose IL is broadly nlnted, was 10 prevent N"'
very discoveries which he has since officially re-
ported IL was represented 70 the Departments
that the constructor would be busy enough re-
pairing the fleet speedily that 1t might put TO
sea without further delay. and that the evolu-
tions Of Admiral Slcards squadron Off the FLOR
ida coast would be expedited II he could confne
his attention to his regular duties. leaving dock
matters TO the civil engineers, VINO had hllher'o
controlled such works. ..
This was so plausible that the Departments
s.nt \ letter 10 Mr.. Bowles in compliance with
the suggestion but in his prompt and frank
reply he showed that MS rehei' pieasdHt as II
would be- might naturally 0e regarded as re-
Election upon him professionally ana ne pre-
ferred 10 carry out the repairs until their COM
rletion Criticisms had been passed upon the
large sums Of money IL had been forced 10
srend working night and day. and he was con-
fdent Of a vindicafon.
SUSTAINED BY SECRETARY LONG.
He nterposed no objection, however, to the
inspection of his work and the consideration
OF his project by board OF experts, and the
Secretary Of the Navy thereupon sent him let
ter which IS said TO be Of a nature that any man
might be proud to hand down 70 posterity, ex-
pressing the hrmest confidence In him. A board.
consisting Of civil Engineers Asserson, Endi-
colt and Chambers. was appointed, and thor
oughly examined the dock last week. and their
report. delivered to Mr.. Roosevelt day or two
ago completely sustains MIR Bowles profess
sionally though there is a visible tinge Of re-
sentiment In II because the SUPPLEMENTARY 70
left to q naval constructor.
STILL UNCOVERING DEFECTS.
END OF THE WORK OF THE NAVY YARD DRY.
rpf-L A IONC; WAY OFF