The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22

they had combined their interests. This
would have insured the government the
double facilities of these extensive
wreckers, and would have given them
the contract. But to-day the Lucken-
bach Wrecking Company of New York
city entered upon Il competition for the
work. and before the day closed it had
made a bid. The other concerns did
not bid to-day. but expect to do 50 Mon
day. The plan proposed by them Is 10
use the large wrecking tug Orion, of
the Boston Company in conjunction with
the powerful cranes of the Merritt Com
pany. If this plan is adopted. the Orion
will carry the wrecklng material to Tia
vana and then serve i'll transporting the
heavy turrets. guns and detachable parts
of the Maine back to the Norfolk Navy
yard. where it is proposed TO assemble
the remnants of the hip
The L~uckenbach Company propose Il
different plan. Their bid contemplates
the use of large barges, hauled by
ocean tugs. in bringing parts of the
wreck to Norfolk.
In other respects the plan of opera
tons Of all bidders is to assume the en-
tire work of furnishing appliances. div
crS. etc. and delivering such material
- - SdN&d q oih So'N
official is to make general inspection Of
the work as it proceeds. The Lucken-
bach Company claims that the use of
harges will cost o%ne-fourth less and will
give better results. The tugs drawing
the hargps make eight knots an hour:
the Orion makes ten knots. This differ
ence is said to be immaterial. making Il
difference of only two days in the time
Of delivery ut the Norfolk Navy yard.
THE TEMPER IN THE HOUSE.
While the disaster to the Maine has
created q temper in the House in favor
of liberal appropriations for the Navy.
and While it is undoubtedly true that
the House III its present frame Of mind
w0ul not hesitate to vote for two new
battleships. one to replace the Maine.
this temper is predicated upon the theory
that the Maine was blown up by eX-
ternaI agencies. If the result of the
official inquiry should develop the fact,
beyond peradventure. that the ships
magazine exploded. from fire or other
cause within her hull. it is believed II
sentiment in Congress will be created
against the expenditure of millions in
the construction of warships that may
blow up at any time. 1t seems likely
that a Congressional investigation will
follow Il report from the Board of In
curry attributing the loss Of the Maine
to an explosion of her magazine.
The president has presented loving
cups. each duly inscribed. to Jose
Mendez Y Herrera. sub-Lieutenant of
the Spanish Marines. and to Eugcnlo
Montero Y Reguera. Lieutenant of the
Spanish Navy, in recognition Of their
humane services to the captain and crew
CT the American brig "Wau-Bun,"
wrecked October -, 1897. on a reef
about eight miles north of Cape San
Antonio Light, Island of Cuba.
SPAIN NOT TO ASSIST.
Washington. y. c.. Feb. 19.-Secre-
tary Long and Assistant Secretary Day,
Of the State Department had an inter
view with the President this morning
which lasted nearly an hour. Mr.. Day
read Il cablegram from Consul General
Lee at Havana. transmitting Il request
from the Spanish authorities in Cuba
that the Spanish officials be permitted
to join with our own people III making
an investigation into the cause of the
disaster to the Maine. The matter was
discussed at considerable length and
the conclusion was reached that while
this government is willing to afford the
III ~ III =
ties for conducting an investigation, yet
it is thought best that the first inquiry
shall be made by our own commissioners.
The request of the Spanish govern
ment for permission to examine the
wreck of the Maine reached the State
Department last night through the fol
lowing message from Consul General
Lee:
Havana. February 1S.
''.Assistant Secretary Day. Washington.
"SiGsbee begins tomorrow with divers
sent him from the United States to re-
cover all bodies still left in the wreck
of the Maine. as we'll as personal effects
Ct officers and men. and whatever else
can be obtained that way. After that lis
completed the Spanish government
would like to unite with ours in having
bottom Of ship and harbor in vicinity
jointly examined.
eSigned.) LEE"
The following is the answer sent:
"Washington. d. c.. February 10.
Lee. Consul Geenral. Havana:
The government of the United States
has already begun an investigation as to
the causes of the disaster to the Maine.
through officers of that Navy. especially
appointed for that purpose, which will
proceed independently.
This government will afford every ia
cli1ty it can to the Spanish authorities
III Whatever Investigation they may see
III to make upon their part.
tSigned.) DAY.
"ASSiStant Secretary
Secretary Long wired Admiral Sicard
to-day. after lis consultation with Presi-
dent Mckinley. telling him briefly what
answer had been returned to General,
Lees application in behalf Of the Span
ISL government for permission to eX-
anime the Maine.
:. SUBMARINE NINE.
New York. Feb. ia copyright ca
hleg-am TO the Evening World from
Sylvester Scovel. under today's date at
Havana via Key West. says:
The consensus Of opinion Of those
who have studied the wreck closely is
now that the explosion was caused by Il
submarine mine. The forward maya
zine. If IS now ppnPra1Jy cu,nocoJ =, :.