New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-02
come too common In the Distdct-Attorney's OF
fee to cause surprise. -
TILE ARnOR.PLATE FOLLY.

rho attesupt OF Congress to play to- the gal
tories in the matter Of armor plate has resulted
nc evervbody familiar with naval ahairs Knew
u vould When the bin for the construction OF
warsbips limiting the price Of armor plate was
n,ssed last winter The Tribune said Congress
..b.s outhorlzed the twelve new vessels Tor the
Navy which the authorities of the Department
considered necessary but 1t might almost rs
.we,, have left the item out OF the Appropria-
"t,on bil~ Now that the law has been put IN
oneration and bids have been asked for 1t Is
soon that ,be arbitrary and ridiculous figure set
was nractjcally a notification OF the completion
~ the vessels. Not n single offer has been re-
ceived In response to the Departments adver-
t,sement. No steel company Is prepared TO fur-
nish armor plate at $500 ton.
cf course. people who have a notion that rich
oornorat,ons should do work without asking
nrodt will say that the failure Of bidding Is part
90 oonsniracv. that the manufacturers are
irving 10 e.hold up the Government But ap-
parently people who have had hana IN uF"iF
inc laws have been trying to hold up the man
nfacturers Just why they should be expected
70 do work for the United States Government ut
rates 40 per cent lower than they can get lor
tho Same work from others is not explained by
those who cry out against the armor-p'a'e inaA
ers For some time they have been furnishing
mates to our Navy 20 per cent lower IMAM wnat
Russia would pay for the same plates right mere
in American shipyards. The only result OF th's
concession to demagogic cheeseparing was 10
tempt TO still further cheeseparing Whcn ends III
the total suspension of armoring. Ana there ls
no reason 10 find fault with the steel companies
ON account of It, Great Britain pays ABOUT
focft r0T<
$500 n ton for armor 10 British manulacturers'
tbe same manufacturers who, we were toid TOT
vears had such natural advantages that IL WAS
the height OF high-tariff folly to think OF COM
netting with them We were advised 10 cast
aside spread-eagle buncombe and buy our steer
ms the rest Of the world did. Instead or doing
ca uo oncourag ed our own founders and ship
buiIdars md now the world comes here to get
armor Mate Russia is glad to pay 5000 a ton
a. our contractors That is considered fair
,norpot nrce. The contractors offer to give the
United States the same or better terms. hather
than see the Navy embarrassed by cessation vi
work on new ships because Of the vagaries oil
Congressman, they furnished some armor at cut
rates. When they are squeezed down sui 1ur'
tber TO $500 ton it Is no wonder they reluse 10
| no victimized and leave Congress 10 rectify us
own blunders.
II looks as IL our naval programme would
have TO he held In suspense until next winter.
Some work can be done on the new vessels
which In any event will not be ready for armor
for some time to come, but the ships which are
more nearly ready for the steel plating may DE
seriously delayed. Thus no good Will be accom-
pIlshed and nothing but harm done BY TINS at
temnt to interfere with the laws OF legitimate
trade to please blind prejudice