The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-28

Congress ought not TO NEEDLE with the
hours of labor on Government work
"A reduction of working hours from
ten to eight would make great differ
ence in the cost of completing a con-
tract. Six thousand men working ten
hours would do $4,000 hours work in a
day, but under the eight-hour system 1t
would take 800 men to do the same work,
and the payroll would be increased from
$1,000 to $4,000 a week. More serious
than this. however would be the fact
that the wonderful machinery of the shop
would work forty-eight hours a week
instead of sixty
More than half the work of a ship
yard is done by the machinery" said Mr..
Nixon. and the more work the machin-
cry does the cheaper the cost of construc-
ton That is one reason we build ships
for less money than do the English, with
all their experience. Their machinery is
not so perfect as ours. and they work il
only eight hours instead of ten hours
day. 1t is by keeping our machinery con-
stantly going that we are enabled TO
work cheap. 1t is not by cheapening
labor. believe In employing the most
highly skilled labor. because / know 1t
will get the best results out of fine tools.
That is something / believe many men
overlook
Longs Discretion.
when the preliminary work-the plans
and estfmates-is ready to submit. the
builder files them with the Secretary of
the Navy. accompanied by a certified
check for per cent of the amount of
the contra act. All the bids are opened in
the office of the Secretary of the Navy in
the presence Of the bidders. The award
&c Ia -
gives the Secretary discretion to reject
any or tall BIDS
In fact. the discretion given the Secre-
tary throughout is raordinary: Con.
slider the fact that Mr.. Long, before he
took charge of the Navy Department.
was not IN expert in naval matters and
learn that he has the power to reject the
plans of his bcreau chiefs or combine
them in any way he chooses; TO accept
or reject any plans or bids of builders;
and to modify accepted plans at his
pleasure, and you win have some con-
cepion of the enormous responsibility
he carries.
Remember too, that the three new bat
tleships will cost S15.000000 when fully
equipped, and that the Government has
undertaken recently to construct nearly
forty vessels.
If the Secretary of the Navy has great
responsibilities. those of the contractor
are not much less serious. He must
name a time for completing his contract
(not more than thirty-three ngonths); and
If he fails to do the work within the
period he names, he must pay $500 a day
forfeit for the first six months. and $500
a day thereafter. But If he completes
the contract in much less than the time
specified, his virtue is its own reward.
The Speed Problem.
If the ships speed equals or exceeds
sixteen knots an hour it will be accepted,
but the contractor will receive no pre-
MUM on the excess. II the speed is less
than sixteen knots the Government will
deduct from the contract price $4,000 for
a quarter knot, 1000 for half knot, and
$50 600 for a knot But below fifteen
knots the Secretary may reject the ship
entirely, or he may agree with the con-
tractors ON a reduced price for 1t.
In the discretion vested in Secretary
Long by the law of Congress he proposes
to give special consideration to the ques-
ton of speed, and he has notified build
ers that a guarantee of a higher rate Of
speed will gain them special considera-
ton. The Secretary Is convinced that
the suggestion of ex-Secretary Tracy
that battIeships should have eighteen to
twenty knots speed Is a good one In the
limits of displacement fixed by Congress
it may be impossible to attain this speed.
1t can only be done by sacrificing armor
or coal capacity.
The Secretary has the power to reject