The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-02
Uncle Sam Will Get Better Vessels
For Less Money.
GARRISON PORTO RICO
TWELVE THOUSAND TROOPS
STAY ON THE ISLAND.
Nearly Five Thousand Will Sail For
New York-General Miles Sailed
Yesterday-St. Paul Transport
Arrived at Manila and All Well
Mosquito Fleet Useless.

Washington, Sept. 1.-The result of
the bidding for the construction of the
three big battleships authorized by
congress is eminentiy satisfactory to
the navy department From the face
of the bids it is clear that the govern
nent is going to secure much more in
the matter of power and speed tnan
was expected; that the cost is going 10
be less than was paid proportionately
for the Illinois class, and, finally, that
the department will be able to dlstrlo-
ute the work among the three DIG
building concerns, a method OF con-
struction that always rebounds TO the
advantage of the government.
The bids were opened shortly after
noon in the presence of a number OF
representatives of Shipbulldlng con-
Germs. of bureau chiefs and other men
connected with the department. Act
ing Secretary Allen sat at the mead OF
the table on which the bids were
placed. with Judge Advocate General
Lenlie on his left. Surrounding the
table were the representatives OF the
shipbuilding concerns.
The bills were made in three classes,
the first being under the plans pre-
pared by the navy department calling
for ships of about 1880 tons, with a
speed of 16 knots. Other classes were
uQuGTr IldilSr llItDcllCu by IiAS bAAiN-~A .
themselves, in some cases on additional
plans prepared by the engineering bu-
reau, but not included in the original
specifications sent out to bidders
The bids were opened in the follow
iEg order
One ship in 3S months, under class l,
for the sum of S2,S40,000.
Newport News Shipbuilding Com
pany.-One ship under class l, in 81
months for the sum of 2,5S0,000 one
ship under class ., with q speed of II
knots. in 50 months, S2.6S0,000; one ship
Of about $50 tons with a speed of Is
knots, in % months. for the sum Of
81, $50, 0OO
William Cramp Shipbailding Com
pany of Philadelphia.-One ship under
class I, in % months for 81, $50, 600; two
ships of the same class for 81. 625, 900
each; one ship under class A, with
speed. of II knots, in 80 months, with
tonnage OF 1,500, for 81, 725, COO; or two
OF the same for $4,000 900 each; one
ship of i, $50 tons and a speed of is
knots, in % months, for $2,SS5,00O; or
two of the same for 50, $40, 600 each.
Union Iron Works of San Francisco.
One ship under class l for $2,674, 600,
in 81 months; one ship under class ,,
with a speed of II knots, for 81. 725, 600,
in 81 months; one ship of Y 200 tons, IS
knots, in SO months, for $2,S99, 900.
A careful examination of these bids
shows that the prices asked for the
vessels planned on the department de-
signs average slightly less than the
price to be paid for the Illinois class,
although the ships are improvements
in some respects. But it also appears
that the bids are within the limit OF
cost fixed by congress, even where the
builders propose to make them of IS
knots speed-mUch better ships than
called for by the department.
1t is expected that the only bids con-
sidered. therefore, viii be for the IS
knot ships. In this case the Newport
News company is the lowest bidder,
but bids for only one snip. The highest
is the Union Iron Works, but the act
Nc congress makes an allowance of not
ASexceed ! per cent in favor of the Pa
c;ffc bidders, so that brings their bid
within line.
Cramps comes in between them. and
consequently the three ships are likely
to be distributed geographically in that
order In the case of the 1S-knot ships,
both Cramp and the Union Iron Works
submitted similar plans. The Newport
News bid for the 18-knot vessel is
original with them. If it should not
be satisfactory to the department, then
Cramp would probably get two of the
shi9s. The bids have been taken I'M
der Amusement by Acting Secretary
Alien.