New-York tribune., 1900-11-27
THE ARMOR PLATE CONTRACTS

Inc secretary tells Of the settlement Of the armor
controversy and the contracts with the Carnegie
and Bethlehem companies. OF these contracts he
says:
vices Of The Chief Of the Bureau of Ordnance have
-s,1, ~ ne efeaseI( yaue and in which these
sonabe adjustment. an agreement has been made
aror Of the rst Class FOR s ton T6e kTPP kKT9PP
bS moves ne farvey patent the validity Of
Enu II Is further agreed that the Government will
process not exceeding . Cor s24 32 Ton for KruPP
rqyai'E; IA and not exceeding 81 20 for Harvey roy
case Of any. reduction in the foregoing royalties
ArInor was $3.50 and the price originally asked s45
its bid but would have been unable In anv even,
Of baesps Had T II no fPT she M Mas s class II
9 o9sDte 'nat some arransement might have been
Psnies OF the manufacture Of the arror of5er nan
value in enabling the DepsrtToenhf a hOweVer was OF
above large reduction.
heretofore-s4o0. - 'iie same as
The Secretary says that drydock capable Of sc-
comrodating the largest vessels is needed IN he
Philippines. and board 70 report on the most
available site for naval station and dock has been
appointed
The health Of the Navy and Marine Corps has
heen satisfactory Not only was the total number
OF cases under treatment smaller than for saaral
years nut the death rate from disease u..s Isse
than the average for the same period Owing 70
deaths from gunshot wounds the mortality rate
rom injuries was. howeve-. -omewhat greater
man usual
The establishment Of National Naval Reserve
Is recommended
CONSOLIDATION OF BUREAUS
The recommendation that the three bureaus Of
construction and Repair. Steam Engineering and
Equipment be consolidated is renewed Regarding
his the Secretary says:
he union Of these three bureaus the chief func-
te1 q: which is 10 deal with the material Of the
M i9 t one P PPureau which might appropriately
tae5r several corps of assistants and inspectors
building and equipping vessels under the manage
a nent o. one responsible chief. instead OF three
saEn;stration OF this important part of the bust
Il Practically an assistant secretary The pro-
possa se would only reduce three
me supervising, mechanical and clerical forces in
necessary exse At prese eacR FFeaf of tSesa Saa p pn
.e6as t IN question has al each yard It's separate
ooHg the same kind Of work. No private business
Attention IS called 10 the necessity of e small
Increase in the corps OF naval constructors and
civil engineers
INCREASE OF THE NAVY.
As 70 increase OF the Navy the Secretary saws
thAt the Department is Of opinion that Congress
at Its coming session should be asked for only
Two oattleships and two armored cruisers all OF
the maximum displacement; that least six light
c7aught Eunboats and some small craft for river
service are especially desirable in connection with
rsular service. and that the golfers training ships
transport and repair ships recommended by the
Construction Board are the necessary accompani-
rnent Of the general recent increase of the Navy
both II IFS lighting force and in the enlarged range
of rs operations The Department therefore makes
rs reconlrnendatt0n in accordance with this opn-
The Secretary urges action the bill before Con-
gress 10 provide rewards for officers and men Of
The Navy and Marine Corps. This bill authorizes !
he Secretary 10 bestow the following medals:
Ine honor medal TO be presented by the Presi- |
dent. for eminent and conspicuous conduct in bat
l. l. oE 9theI dangerous public emergency, TO be |
I" E eaaeo only upon the recommendation Of board !
Q: 9tfeers authorized 10 inquire into the merits Of
- caSe. etapo"eIeo 10 administer oaths 10 wit
& ne agl tor which The award is ommended. 1t is
II n 4 small annual increase Of pay.
secTetary Of the SsTy for stneaished conduot
n the presence Of the enemy extraordinary
The service medal be presented by the Sec
TstsTy Tty q the Navy. for distinguished public
wee = tine %
DUTY PERFORMED WITHOUT REWARD.
IN advocating this measure Mr.. Long says:
The TIE bestowal OF these special rewards is urged
% s ause it s apropriate and Just that they should
b csh ar not from the fear that duty will not
- cone without them The fact that the
1-s9h Acknowledgements are tagging behind the
s:-Ht eI:-lzHt performance Of its officers end in
~ @eIFe service does not seem 10 have in any de-
ev55r' -'@tfed - the quality Of their patriotism and
- ?. slcA examples that, while the enumeration
5orrt - ais special attention TO the official re-
go =. r. "hlca they appear They are found in
which makes service conspicuous bur on the voy-
. ~ watches along the coast In expeditions 10
n-@-e 80 etten unaided and alone. in the unmartial
- SURVEYS and soundings, IN instruction and dis
-p.--" II the ably valuable preparatory
ne shifting variety OF exacting duties in which
g and not Goaspcu9us is none The less deseTy
- e @ o.G ~ The fomely routine Of commonplace as