New-York tribune., 1900-05-09
EXTENSION OF TIME GRANTED.

The destroyer and torpedo boat builders were de-
layed by the rush of work the steel mills last
year. the steel refusing to turn out the very
high grades of material required by the specf-
cations for these vessels, when they had their
plants running night and day on more profitable
contracts for commercial qualities The NAVY De-
partment finally recognized this condition in the
following official reply from the Secretary of the
Navy to the petition of the contractors for these
boats on March 20 last:
AS requested. the Department has considered The
question las as TO the enforcement of the provisions
destrOyers and torpedo boats authorized by the Act
of May T. 1898. relating the deductions from the
peton Of the vessels in OF inability of the
G9ntractofs to obtain the steel REQUIRED The pro-
Provided. however, that such delay shall not
second part by fire or water or by any 81 strike ike
or standout OF workmen employed in the con-
beyond the control of the party of the irst pert
but such circumstances shall not be deemed to in
clude delays in obtaining materials when such de-
lays arise from causes other than those herein
And under it. while the right is reserved to the
Department to make deductions from the contract
is delayed by causes other than the of the Gov
wormen this Tgh is or one frk h or standout Of
Is within the discretion of the Secretary of the
as measure for the protection of the Govern
ments interests. and intended to cover cases
legations and the desirability Of the speedy COM
OF or b mnner on but was not
builders acting in good faith who might be the
victims of unavoidable delays foreseen nor CON
templated at the time of making the contract in
requiring of them impossibites such for in
stance, as the inadequacy of the steel manufacto-
ries 10 provide the material required satisfy the
demand throughout the country s has existed for
rany months past.
1t appears from the reports of the Board of Con-
struction and the bureau of Construction and Re
pair and Steam Engineering that the interest OF the
Government would not be injured by granting such
extension or time under the circumstances referred
to AS would be proper for the relief of the con
tractors from the hardships attributable strictly to
such scarcity Of material. ~
After the careful consideration of the representa-
lions made by various contractors and reports nv
the inspectors of hull and machinery the bureaus
mentioned have recommended all the CON
tractors must be regarded an equal footing
IN TINS respect that extension OF twelve mont hs
ne granted on each OF the torpedo boat destrovers
No. 10 16 and torpedo boats Nos 10 and p and
"a 10 3d. 10 cover all delays attributable TO the above
mentioned clause. 1t being intended that but one
ihohh ne added to the extension of eleven month
heretofore given TO the contractors for the con
struction OF the Tingey "
ne department approves the recommendation
oI nc npfeauJ and extension OF time
.hohlhs Is accordingly hereby granted on each OF
.ne vessels designated above. but this extension s
tn ~ oe aesafoed as precedent for future action
." IN" case or failures to fulh contract raauire-