Evening journal., 1899-10-13
BIDS FOR SIX
NEW CRUISERS
Harlan & HOllingswOrth Com
pany, of This City Among
the Bidders.
MANY FIRMS WANT CONTRACTS
New Ships Can Be Built With the
Money Available, But Special
Appropriations Will Be Asked
for Equipment.

AoA
A special from Washington says:
Serious doubt has been entertained by
naval officials whether shipyards, in
view OF the rapid advance in steel,
could bid within the limit of the ap-
preparations for the six new cruisers
for which proposals are to be opened
on November l. Assurances have al
ready been received, however, indicat-
ing that a number of firms will con-
tract to build the vessels for the
money available. The law limits the
cost of each to s1,1OO,OOO, but Of this
the government requires about 100000
to equip each ship after delivery to the
Navy Department.
In erder that the builders may be-
able to undertake the vessels within
the limit. it is understood nava. Off
cials will waive the amount that should
be set aside for their use, and ask for
special appropriations to cover the def
icit; otherwise, it is conceded, it
would be impracticable to build all the
vessels for the sums allowed with the
prevailing high price Of steel. These
vessels are a part Of the program OF
Increase Of the navy authorized at the
last session. This program also in
cludes three large battleships and three
IN rfo ,fv,rr
and fighting effectiveness to the most
forr liable Of their type in the British
negv.te.
Owing to the unsettled condition Of
the steel market, and the failure Of
Congress and the armor firms to come
to terms, no progress has been made
toward the preparation of the designs
of any OF these vessels. and no steps
in that direction can be taken until
the Navy Department is authorized to
purchase armor at higher Yates than
those now allowed by law.
DEMANDS OF ARMOR MANUFAC-
TURERS.
SO determined are the armor manu-
facturers to force the government to
acceds to their demands that it is real
lied by ordnance officers that the gov
ernment must make its own armor or
pay the price demanded by the firms
which have furnished all the armor
heretofore supplied, If the work Of in
creasing the navy is to continue.
The firms are in a position to con-
cede little, owing to the abundance OF
other work, which they declare is more
profitable than contracts with the Navy
Department. The six new cruisers,
however. require no armor and can
therefore be built regardless of its
cost. Should they have had even a
thin protection on their water lines. il
is doubtful il the vessels could possibly
be built under present conditions. In
any event. they will be more costly
for their displacement than many Of
the recent ships OF equal class that
have been built.
In type these cruisers will be not un-
like the Raleigh and Cincinnati, bu
with less horsepower and reduced
speed. The former vessels have fire.
quently been said to have engines pow
erful enough for battlships, and as Goa
burners are the most expensive in thu
service. The new ships will have
displacement of 3,1OO tons, a speed o
II knots and a large coal capacity ant
all the leading firms of the country, an,
est manifested by shipbuilders indi
Gates that bids will be received iron
all the lading firms of the country, AM
possibly many Of the smaller. A frr
at Richmond, Va, is to be among tn
competitors, although the official
doubt its capacity to undertake tn
work.
FIRMS WHICH WILL BID.
The firms which are certain to bid ar
the Cramps, the Newport News Con
pany. the Bath Iron Works, the Hal
Ian and Hollingsworth Company. {
Wilmington; the Columbian Iro
Works, of Baltimore; the Marylan
Steel Company and new firm whic
mas just begun operations at Ne
York. The Union Iron Works, of Sa
Francisco, may also enter the compel
tion. With sheathed bottom that wi
prevent fouling in tropical waters,
keels and a powerful battery Of rapi
fire guns, the new cruisers are expec
ed to be equal to those Of their ella
in any service, and superior to the r
leigh and Cincinnati in all importat
points.
In awarding contracts the naval a
thorities hope the ships may be so di
tributed that not more than two W