New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-02

formlty and possible interchnngeabllty OF parts
not ONLY require fewer spare pieces or machih-
cry to be carried afoat or in stock and reduce
the time required for repairs, but also ram'i-
iarze the crew Of one boat with the MA
chincry OF ALL The majority OF the boaru oi
Construction. however. held opinions dherlhe
widely from those Of the tactican ana the ell
cineer. As n result the Nation will acquire
mosouto SQUADRON built on various designs
some submitted by successful bidders, others
nrenared nv the Department. Neither tecnnicai
training nor abstruse reasoning is needed 10
show that these vessels, when completed VIII
give endless trouble by reason OF differences
In details.
The browning error however. OF the boaru
course concerns the design Of the four nloh-
itors for which contracts have recently Deen
LOT. II In the beginning there had been iaiu
down n proper design Of 1880 tons diSplace-
ment with main battery Of four 1Oinch guns
In double turrets. there Is no doubt that the
hide would have been we'll within the limits
SGT by Congress with ample margin Tor arlhor
and other accessories. 1t Is only because Dius
were asked and contracts let for single-turreted
sbins Of 100 tons that the change desired IS
now found TO be impossible within the appro-
nriation. since. with contracts once awarded
tho Government was at manifest disadVan-
tape in seeking alterations. The decision 10
,enpthen the monitors by q feet. while 1t gives
greater coa-carrying capacity. gives something
not NODDED IN coast-defence vessels, and prac-
+,ca,lv results In a mere addition OF S1OO'oW
70 the contract price. 1t is apparent that these
sh,ns are not only far from what they should
have been but that they are such ms naval ex-
norris here and abroad. regard 1t folly 10
construct.
In view of these facts there Is ample grounu
for Growing suspicion as to the value OF the
,ort NJ the Naval Board of Construction. Inc
NOT rcsults of its policy during the present year
ORC q delay IN battle-ship construction. which
mov IN case Of war be sorely felt before these
sbins are completed the building of miscel-
Ioncous-not homogeneous squadron or torpedo
craft and the contracting for four coast-de
fence vessels of an archaic type. 1t is known
,ho. tho BOARD Is not unanimous in It's action.
Among It's members are men Of more thon Ma
tonal reputation In their professions. "ho' Il
,be,r onnions had prevailed. would have pre-
vented such work as the construction or three
now batt,e.ships. on builders plans each diff
fering from the others in various character
,stics On the other hand. 1t is equally wen
,nor., that there is an unprogressive element
IN the Board. and there is more 'han wen
founded suspicion that through 'hs et'''e",
the same influence prevails which has lorceu
upon the Navy wooden drydocks' ana mas AZ
tempted the same policy with so-caiieo n'e
nroof' woodwork on our ships. TN 'he Nav!
Department will fall in the end the puruen ol
responsibility for these mistakes H. there'o'''
f. prevcnt.a recurrence of plumbers. n reoi-
oanizatlon of the Construction Board oe heces-
sarv. the country may rightfully ask tha' inc
Secretary shall sift out the non-proeresSi'e'
among its membership.