The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-09
A NATIONAL /
ARMOR PLANT
Question of Building One is
Again Brought UP.
MONEY NOT THE ONLY AIM
Importance to the Government of Being
Able to Construct Battleships Ex-
tensively and Quickly Is
Great Consideration.

A decision is expected this week on
proposals recently submitted for armor
plate for battleships by the Carnegie.
Bethlehem and Midvale Companies, says
the Washington correspondent Of the
Philadelphia Public Ledger The propos-
ais of the two companies first named are
IDENTICAL and each Is about 100000 above
tho aggregate of the offer OF the Mid
vale steel Company, of Philadelphia.
Aside from the difference in the amount
of money involved, there arc conditions
surrounding the bids that have caused
hesitation In regard to awarding the con-
tract. The Midvale Company has no
plant at this time In which armor plate
can be made 1t LIS proposed, however,
by that company, IL awarded the con-
tract, to give guarantee and bond to
begin the delivery of material twenty
months after the signing OF the contract
The armor to be furnished is wanted for
the battleships and armored cruisers
whose construction was authorized BY the
last Congress. and for which contracts
were made a few months ago. The Carne-
gle and Bethlehem Companies guarantees
to begin the delivery Of arrnor plate nine
months following the signing OF con-
tract. The question naturally arises
E J."
ment to make afcontract under which de.t
livery could not be made for twenty
months, even TO save the sum OF S7OO.V0o.
OTHER IMPORTANT CONs1DERA-
TIONs.
Closely connected with this general
proposition are several questions OF even
greater importance to the government
than the saving OF the large sum OF
money stated. and 1t IL the consideration
- ,bn,a ROT Tc pt nj nal
Navy Department. The Carnegie and
Bethlehem Companies are under the same
ownership and management There Is no
rival establishment.
It Is thought that the public interests
would be unquestonably subserved by
tho erection of one or more, additional
armor plate plants. Competition. 1t is
heiu, would not only prevent exorbitant
prices for the material, but, what Is
equally important. would increase the
facilities OF the government for speedy
construction OF war vessels
WHY ARMOR is LOWER.
A few years ago there was pro-
tracted struggle in Congress over the
charge made for armor plate furnished
by the Carnegie and Bethlehem Com
panes, during which serious consideration
was given to a proposition that the gov
eminent should establish Its own plant
and manufacture armor plate Just rs 1t
now fabricates It's own guns. To that
discussion was. attributed the lowering
OF Che price Of armor, the manufacturers
fearing that national plant would be
established unless reduction In price
was made.
THE Midvale Company offers the gov
eminent an additional plant, and that
offer gives its bid strong backing among
naval officers connected with the work OF
~, nfh ar 90, n
government secure additional facilities
for tho manufacture OF armor plate, as
NJ private concern will spend large sums
i Of money In the erection of plant In
advance OF the assurance OF having 1t
employed.
Experts at the Navy Department agree
that speed in construction Is quite as I'M
portant as speed in sailing. The addition
of another armor plate plant would mean
more than the addition of thirty-threc
per cent. to the national capacity In the
building of warships. as competition
would be established and enterprise slim
ulated.
EARLY DELIVERY NOT ESSENTIAL.
While the specifications call for an
early delivery OF material. 1t is generally
admitted at the Navy, Department that
the vessels will not be ready for the
the terms of the contracts the vessels
arc to be completed in forty-two months
No battleship was ever completed within
that period by this or any other govern
some Of the vessles now Under contract
will be in the hands OF the contractors
four years from this time. France, Ger.
many and Russia made programme
three years ago for an increase In thefft
respective navies. to be completed inn
1906. Advices from the dock yards Of
those, countries indicate that the vessels
laid down will not be completed until 1905.
The programme of our Navy Depart
ment contemplates the completion of yes
sells now under contract In 1906. to the
by that of each OF the three countries
named. If there Is to be race for naval
supremacy. In which the United States
required for speedy building. and 1t is this
point that gives the proposal of the Mid
vale Company its great value to naval