Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-06
NOT BASED ON FACT
GUN SIGHTS ON CRUISER SAID
TO BE SOUND.

"A sensational story published yesterday,
alleging that the guns recently installed on
board the armored cruiser Colorado of the
United States navy are worthless because
of defective sights made at the navy yard
here, and intimating that an investigation
OF the work at the gun shops Is desired py
many of the employees, was pronounced last
evening by the superintendent Of the yard.
tina naval officer In charge Of the Inspection
OF the sights and others who are directly
without foundation. Color was given the
allegations by the statement that threats
Of discharge had been made against EN-
ployes Of the yard they made known
this alleged condition OF affairs. The tale,
according to an officer who knows the work
from start to finish, was made out of
whole CLOTH"
Il think some one over there must be try
ing to hurt one of the master mechanics
said bieut. George N. Haywood to Star
reporter last evening. when his attention
was called to the publication referred to.
He was seen at the Army and Navy Club,
and after communicating with the superin-
tendent Of the yard where he Is an assist
ant inspector In direct charge Of these
sights. he declared he could state with
positivenesS that the story was not worth
the trouble of reading.
Nothing Wrong With Sights.
81 am in charge Of the work and know
about as much about It as anybody" he
said, "and 1 know there is nothing the
matter with those sights. They are just as
good as any. I think some one over there
must be trying to hurt one Of the master
mechanics. 1 can't understand how such
q story got published. There Is absolutely
nortlling in 1t.
SIN regard to workmanship the sights are
all right We have had great deal OF
trouble with the design. which Is new one.
It was merely a matter of testing the oe-
sign, and some few changes were necessari-
ly made on the sights after they were near
w finished. But nobody but an expert
could detect them. and they have nothing
whatever to do with the efficiency or the
sight. It is merely a matter OF looks whici'
/ fine has taught US may be improved.
|. 91sWhy. 1.-The Important parts OF the sights
are nov on the Ship ana have been tested
at the proving grounds and found 10 wo ,.i
all right They are Of the new type win
which we are fitting all of the naval guns.
and are the best we could turn out and 1ar
better than any others l know or some
day they may look little prettier to
technical eye; that's al"
Investigation Unnecessary.
SUGGESTIONS of conditions that would bear
investigation by Secretary Bonaparte OF the
Navy Department which We're given in the
statement of a mechanic interviewed, but
unnamed are held to be ridiculous. II Is
pointed out that the closest inspection is
made of every individual piece of work that
goes out of the gun shops by commissioners
officers Of the navy, who are constantly
being changed and that the work Is pro-
nounced to be the best ana most rdpiu "
be had at any place.
The master mechanic under whom the
sights for the Colorado's guns were made is
John Won Hermann. When he was seen by
a representative of The Star last evening ne
said that as he was under authority or
Foreman Robinson he could not assume
the responsibility of speaking for publlca-
ton. He declared that the foreman, who
is now out of town. could explain the mat
ter very satisfactorily.
Rumor has it that an employe of the gun
shop whose name is known to the ofnclals
concerned, is authority for the allegations
1t Is said he is disappointed over not hay
ing received a desired promotion and Is
endeavoring to get even.' The story, 1t
is believed. was directed against the repu-
tation Of Master Mechanic Won Hermann,
under whose supervision he Is said to be
employed
ION its face 1t Is without any founda-
tion" said Lieut.. Haywood last evening,
but he had no idea who was authority for
the allegations.
Master Mechanic Praised.
"Mr. Won Hermann" he continued. lis one
of the best mechanics in the yard. He has
had a very hard time of it in the past few
months on account of the rush work that
we have been doing there. but his work.
has been done WELL What alterations were
made in the construction of the Colorado's
sights were done with proper authority.
The statement that they were made with
out the necessary drawings Is false. often
authorize minor changes awaiting changes
in the drawing.
1--WE have a remarkably fine lot of men
at the gun shops here" he concluded, land
we know we turn out as good and better
work than any plant in the country"