The Washington times., 1902-07-03
Speculation of Naval Off
GERS Regarding War
Vessels.
THOSE CONGRESS ORDERED
Believed That Work in Government
Yards Will Cost More Than Under
Contract System, Even After Con-
tractors Profit IS Deducted.

into operation luSsudy, iUT tne 'oASt4 w
tion OF one OF the two battleships au-
thorized TO he commenced at Govern
ment plant, instead Of by private con-
tract.
The Secretary OF the Navy must FIRST
select the place where he ship is to be
constructed, and in doing this his choice
will not be limited to the navy Yards at
Boston, Brooklyn and Norfolk, where
there are extensive shipbuilding plants.
The matter has been discussed in
naval circles concerned, however, but
this has served to show only that each
yard has many firm friends. who believe
that it is better equipped than the 9TH
ers for the work of construction.
Politics and Shipbuilding.
In this connection the friends of the
Norfolk yard are making the contention
that politics can not be kept out of the
shiptuilding arrangements if the Brook
lyn yard or the Boston yard is chosen.
They clair, that Virginia is too solidly
Democratic to tempt the administration
to select its shipbuilders, for political
reasons, if the vessel is to be construct
ed al Norfolk, hut that politics will play
a large part in the appointment of work
men for the Government t-built ship if
Brooklyn or Boston is favored.
The main objection of naval men to the
building of battleship by the Govern
ment is the additional cost of construc-
tion. There is some warrant FOR this in
the cost of the battleships Maine and
Texas and the cruisers Raleigh and Gin
,cinnati, which were built, two each, at
the New York and the Norfolk yards.
Government VS.. Private Yards.
The total cost of each of these vessels
was far above the estimated contract
price of private shipbuilders for ves-
sci OF similar design. Some figuring
has been done at the Navy Department
TO determine the excess of the cost OF a
battleship built at a Government yard
over the cost of a battleship built by
private concerns. The Government
workmen get higher wages than those
at private shipbuilding plants, they
work only eight hours a day as
against nine or ten hours at private
yards, and they get fifteen days leave
annually and DO not work on legal holi
days, privileges which are not accord
ed to tie workmen employed by the
shipbuilde-s.
Taking these things into consideration
Il has been estimated that the cost of
building the Government battleships will
be 69.2 per cent in excess of the cost
of building her sister ship under private
contract The loss to the Government
will not. however, be as great as 69.2
per cent for the constructors profit has
not been considered in making the cal
culatlons.
Actual Additional Cost.
Some naval officers of experience es-
innate that the actual additional cost
TO the Government on the vessel to be
constructed at navy yard will be about
25 per cent or so per cent. Taking the
larger percentage as a fair estimate
and the limit of cost fixed by the naval
act for each vessel. as the contract
price of private construction, the bat
tleship to be built by the Government
will cost $5,475, 600. against S4,2l2, 900.
the limit fixed by the act for the pri-
yate built craft.
II is regarded as inevitable by naval
officers that II the experiment OF build
ing the batticship at a Government
navy yard proves satisfactory to Con-
gress, the English policy OF dividing
ship construction equally between Gov
ernment plants and private shipyards
will be adopted.
M. Mocdy's Statement.
Secrctar: Moody has already taken up
the matter OF preparation for construct
ing the ship, and intends to make very
sooD his. selection Of the yard where
tire work will be done. Mr.. Moody has
ideas % his own about the manner in
Shich the choice of the place Of con-
struction should be made. and the way
The intention OF Congress should be car
ried cut. He made known some CT these
IDEAS yesterday.
Il am going about building the ship, -
he said Just as if tho cust were 10
come out Of my own pocket instead OF
out OF the National Treasury. II might
Us we'll be understood, In the frst place,
that the restrictions OF commercial
bodies and other organizations urging
the selection Of particular navy yards
will not have the slightest effect CT ny
decision. There is no necessity for peo-
pie 10 come here and urge the claims OF
their localities. They might as well
save their breath And as for politics,
will not be selected. because Of any po-
litical consideration. ] will 20 further
than that. and say that II find q navy
gard otherwise satisfactory for ship con-
siruction. but honeycombed with poll
tics. that viii be a good reason for Sc
lecting another place.
Much to Be Considered.
There are n great many things 20 be
taken into consideration in deciding
this important question OF where the
vessel shall be built. ! do not intend
10 decide until have consulted with
the proper officers of the department
and obtained information as to the place
that is considered available for doing
the work Cost OF labor is one con-
sideration Under the law OF Congress
the wages paid At navy yards must be
based on the best wages paid for labor
in the places where the yards are situ-
ated: OF course navy yard workmen
get better wages than employees Of pri-
vatc concerns when We consider that
they work only eight hours day against
nine or ten for the others, and have iif-
teen days leave and legal holidays with
pay, while the private employees do
not. But ] am not satisfied that j man
who works eight hours day does not do
As much work In that time as the man