New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-13
PLAN TO UNITE SHIPYARDS
JEFFERSON SELIGMAN AND c. P. HUNT
INGTON SAY 1T Is TALKED OF.
TOO SOON TO GIVE DETAILS, THE FORMER
SAYS. WHILE THE LATTER ADMITS
HIS WILLINGNESS TO ENTER
COMBINATION
A COMBINATION

A dispatch from San Francisco made public
here yesterday, was TO the effect that state
ment had been telegraphed from the East to
San Francisco that a syndicate headed by the
Seligmans propos ID to obtain control Of the
leading shpbulding concerns OF the United
States 1t was also stated in the San Francisco
dispatch that inquiries addressed to responsible
persons in the East brought the reply that the
syndicate had practically succeeded in COM
bining the shpyards Of Cramp & Sons, at Phila-
delphia: c. p. Huntington's plant, at Newport
News. Va; the Columbia Iron Works. Bati-
more; the Bath (Me.) Iron Works and the
Union Iron Works. of San Francisco.
Jefferson Segman, member Of the firm OF
j. q W. Seligman Co.. Of No. q Broad-st
was seen in reference to the report yester-
day at his home. No. II East Sixty ninth st.
by Tribune reporter.
THE subject of a combination OF leading
shpyards Of the United States" said Mr.. Selig-
man, "is yet in embryo. It has been talked
of, but II is too soon to speak about II; 1t Is
all in the air. The shipyards all doing
good business, and the Cramps, in which
kave a 'arge interest, are particularly busy Just
now. There perhaps eight or ten leading
shipyards in the country and all getting
big demands from foreign nations to build their
ships. The work our ships did at Santiago and
Manila and their great endurance have attract
ed the attention OF foreign Powers. The Cramps
especially have orders from Japan and Russia
The shpyards are making so much money at
present that they may not TO enter into
a combination. There is no other firm asso-
ciated with us in the matter. l cannot say
anything to the shipyards mentioned in the
dispatch, beyond what l have said about the
Cramps. The year, however, Is drawing to
close and nothing may be done at present. The
statement that the consolidated value Of the
shipyards mentioned in the dispatch exceeds
S2OVO0,O00 is correct"
The San Francisco dispatch referred to was
shown to Coils p. Huntington last evening at
his home. No 2 East Fifty -seventh-st. by a
Tribune reporter Mr.. Huntington read the dis
patch through carefully. and then said:
About a month ago c. F. Candy, manager Of
the Ensign Car Works. of Huntington, w. Va,
asked me II | would go into a combination OF
shipyards. haven't given a thought to the mat
ter. and do not know anything about the pro-
posed combination do know one thing. how
ever. and that is. / have the best shipyard in
the world. / also know the Seligmans are large
owners in the Cramps shpyard. The dispatch
speaks Of the concerns mentioned being worth
more than S2OOO0WO. That is undoubtedly
true as l value my shipyard at about that
figure. I would dispose Of IT, however. and
should not ask that price. but should want to
get what 1t cost The shipyard at Newport
News Va. is mine. and is not mortgaged.
1T was my original intention Mr.. Hunting
ton went on, ito start shpyard plant In the
best location in the world. and / succeeded in
my purpose. 1t is right at the gateway Of the
There is never any Ice in the winter and it
is never so cold but you can hammer metal
out Of doors. Ships also set coal there of the
best and cheap anywhere.
II would put my shpyard into the combna-
ton II got my price. and also take some stock,
but the United States Government should have
my yard One reason why do not want TO part
with Il Is that I am experimenting with labor.
/ am thinking OF putting up a cotton mill TO give
some light work to the women and children OF
the men employed in the yard which | know
would be welcome"