, 1900-12-08
READY FOR WAR
THE CRAMPS WILL TURN OUT
sATTLESHIPS COMPLETE
IN ALL DETAILS.
Mammoth Enlargement of the Great
Plant Contemplated-The Head of
the Concern Explains the Plans
Denies That There Will Be a
Consolidation.

Washington. d. C., Dec. 6.-In view
of the reported efforts of Vickers Sons
a. Maxim of, England to form a bust
ness union with the Cramp Ship Build
ing company and the Midvale Steel
works, Charles H. Cramp, president of
the Cramp company, who is in Wash
ington in connection with proposals of
the navy department for building war
vessels, decided to make Il statement
explanatory of the plans to extend the
plant of the company. Cramps state
ment, which was prepared and signed
by him, says:
These stories. not only now. but
heretofore. have arisen from the fact
that for a number of years | have en-
deavored to enlarge our plant and 10
extend its capabilities to the point of
of building a tirst.class warship. com
plete, ready to go into action when
delivered, including not only the hull.
machinery and equipment. but also ar
uloI, gums ana ammunition,
MY views as to the d%esirability of
such an extension have been more than
justified by the phenomenal success of
the Armstrong company. for example.
Without going into details. or without
stating the principal direction in which
| have been e~ndeavoring to operate. |
will say that the Idea underlying all
my efforts has been to enlarge as much
as possible under our single manage
ment all the divers industries which
enter into the construction of a ship of
war. in order that we may realize to
the best advantage all the experience
which we have gathered in two genera
tons.
so far as these Stories are con.
cerned, they undoubtedly are the out
growth of inklirgs here and there. or
disjointed fragments picked up at
random, without consecutiveness or
continuity Of fact. necessarily exag
gerated. distorted and therefore cal
culated to mystify or mislead the pub.
lie. So far as ! am concerned. have
absolutely nothing to conceal in these
premises.
What | have tried to do. and what
I am trying to do, and what | may do
is simply a straightforward business
transaction, calculated to improve the
facilities of our establishment in all
directions. 1t wust be distinctly UNI
derstood that this Is a totally different
proposition from combination or con.
solidation of the s%hipyards themselves.
1t is. indeed. in the opposite direction
from the fact hat if successful it
would conduce to the more perfect in
dependence of our shfpyard.
S far as the Invocation or calling
in of what the Chinese call foreign
devils is concerned, that is a matter
not worth consideration. There is not
a business in this country. from the
greatest railroad down, that has not
invited foreign investment to a certain
extent, but always retaining American
control.
This may or may not. be an excep-
ton to the rule that would depend en-
tirely upon business considerations,
but you may rely upon it that whatever
engagements may be affected, or
whatever cognate or co]ntributory in
dustries may be absorbed. the control
and management must be American.
AS long as | live and am able to do
business the plant will remain under
my auspices. The present story in
wolves the Midvale Steel company on
ly. | do not hesitate to say that in my
endeavors during this period. | have
not confined myself to the Midvale
company by any means, but have COM
m%unicated by letter and conferred in
person with the controlling interest of
both the Bethlehem and Carnegie es-
adjustments"