Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-03
THE sHIP-BUHDING PLANT.
A Northern Correspondent Goes Out
of His Way to Score Mr.. Trigg.

WASHINGTON, d. c., November O.
Especial. )-commodore Hichborn. Chief OF
the Bureau of Construction and Repair In
the Navy Department, is very much NOR
titled at tho conclusion of an article critl-
cising the letting Of the contracts for the
torpedo-boats and torpedo-boat-destr
to the William r. Trigg Company, Of
Richmond. After quoting from Rich
mond paper the details Of the organiza-
ton Of the Trigg Company, the article
says:
1T appears from this that Mr. Trigg
bid in the two destroyers and three tor
pedo-boats on his individual nerve; that
at the time he received the contract he
had no plant, nor was there n Trigg
Ship-Buildng Company In existence; that
on october Sth, sixteen days after he re-
ceived the contracts, IL was announced
that a company was to be organized on
the following Monday to build the vessels
he had contracted for. In other words, a
company with 10000 capital was to be
built about the government contracts, and
then the work was to begin. This irregu-
lar proceeding was brought TO the atten-
ton of Secretary Long, but whether he in
tends to take any action is not known. 1t
is a case that clearly comes within Chief
Constructor Hichborn's objection to ANA
teur ship-builders' gaining experience at
the expense of the government.
"There is War Department end to the
transaction, which was also looked into
yesterday-the allegation having been
made that the Engineer Department had
taken hand in the scheme. Lieutenant
Colonel Charles ]. Allen is in charge OF
the work of improving the James river
from Richmond to the sea. His project
of improvement was to secure a depth OF
IS feet at full tide Q5 at low tide to Rich
mond, with q channel width OF $50 feet.
The amount available at the end Of Sep
TENDER last to continue this work was but
S9,SO83S, and operations were, therefore.
practically suspended. 1t is rumored,
however. that the river space in front OF
the Trigg plant has been deepened and
widened sufficiently to permit the launch
ing and completion OF the destroyers and
torpedo-boats after they are launched.
The matter caused a great deal Of COM
ment q the Navy Department yesterday,
a.d officials are wondering what action
will be taken by Secretary Long"
EVERY CONFIDENCE IN MIR. TRIGG.
Commodore Hichborn regrets that an
expression in his report should be made
X.
Speaking of the matter he said that he
could not understand by whom or how
this publication was instigated He had
heard nothing of 1t, and neither had the
Secretary, until the article referred to
appeared. He had the highest regard for
Mr. Trigg, end was confident that he
would comply with every requirement OF
the departments. Mr.. Trigg had already
deposited with the department the usual
guarantee fund. The contracts were regu-
larly awarded under the prescribed rules
and regulations of the department. and
he was annoyed that he should be made
the ammunition 10 be fired at Mr. TTigg
His company had built the machinery of
the Texas, which was an assurance OF
his perfect capability to build the tor
pedo-boats.
The reference In the article to the War
Department end Of the story had as lit
tie foundation In fact as that regarding
the Navy Department. and there is not
the slightest reason TO believe that any
action will be taken by either depart
ment, or that It has been or ever will be
even considered.
Mr.. Trigg was shown the above spe-
cial Yesterday afternoon, and said his at
tention having already been called TO the
article quoted therein. he had wired Mr..
Hichborn assuring him that he did
not believe for an instant that he had
in any way inspired OF been a party to
it. Mr.. Tr'gg said that the article was
no doubt Inspired by some OF the people
who opposed his claims for recognition
by the Navy Department. and he paid
but little attention TO IL.
Mr.. Trigg and Mr.. Lilburn T. Myers
went to Washington last night to confer
with officers Of the Navy Department.
Groves Tasteless Chill Tonic has stood