Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-27
PROMPT ACTION NECESSARY.
To Avoid Delay ArmOr Plate Contracts
Should he Made by January.

The annual report of Rear Admiral Chas
O'Neil, chief of naval ordnance shows a
satisfactory condition of affairs in that
branch Of the service in all departments
save that Of armor. The total amount Of
armor necessary for the seven vessels au-
thorized by act of Congress approved May
4, 1898, was p 600 tons.
The difficulty in quality and price Of
armor arose in the desire of the depart
ment to secure plates of what is generally
known as the Krupp process. which is
deemed much more satisfactory than the
face-hardened armor heretofore in use in
American warships. The contractors
claimed that IL was impossible to supply
this armor for $500 a ton, and the depart
ment in order to avoid delay in the COM
pletlon of certain vessels already contract
ed for, was obliged to make contract in Au-
gust and September OF this year for COM
paratively small amount Of armor, aggre-
eating 2.26S to. :, for the vessels Of the
Maine class and for the four harbOr de-
Tense monitors. There remain still to be
contracted for a total of q 45S tons for the
three battle ships of the Maine class for
the three battle ships authorized by the
act of March ), 1899, and for the three
nrSt-clasS cruisers.
In order not to delay the completion Of
the three vessels OF the Maine class be-
yOnd contract date, Admiral O'Neil says
that it will be necessary to make contracts
y,
He deplores the suggestion that the ordi-
nary ace-hardened armor should be used
in the new vessels and urges that the mat
ter should be laid before Congress as soon
as it assemblies. and that 1t be urgently
requested to make such provision in the
early days of the session by point resolu-
ton or otherwise as will enable the Navy
Department to make contracts not later
than January, 1900, for the best quality OF
armor that can be obtained for the three
vessels of the Maine class.
The same should also be done, he says,
for the six armored vessels authorized by
the act of March 3. 1899. The question Of
government armor factory, he says, should
have no bearing upon the supply Of armor
would be impracticable to obtain armor
from such a source in time to complete the
vessels referred to. He states that no
detriment to the government or its inter-
ests has been caused by the delay up to
date, but that If after further presenta-
ton of the case Congress decides to ad-
here to its present limitation in the price
of armor the Navy Department probably
will be obliged to procure armor similar to
that heretofore used, but IL will do so with
a consciousness of having performed its
duty in the matter, and will be free OF
further responsibility. He says in con-
clusion that IL is quite evident that the
building of armored ships of war must soon
be discontinued by this government unless
the vexed question of the supply and cost
OF armor can be disposed of.
The report speaks in high terms of the
new smokeless powder now in use in the
navy. 1t has stood all the tests of time and
service that could be expected during the
length Of time it has been in use, and the
bureau feels that it is equal to the smoke
less powder now in use by any other coun-
try.