Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-12-10
PROPOSITION WILL Be
LAID BEFORE CONGRESS
General Manager Post and Supt. Of
Hull Construction Ferguson Leave
For Washington To Represent Com
pa1y When Matter Is Considered.
Would Require Act Of Congress.

both the battleship Texas and the
battleship New York. which. when
completed, will represent combined
cost OF more than $4,000. 900, may be
built in Newport News.
Following the announcement from
the navy department this week that
the New York cannot be built at the
Brooklyn navy yard for less than
$1,000, O00-s1.50 900 above the ap-
propriation-the Newport News Ship
building and Dry Dock Company maue
an offer TO Secretary of the Navy
Meyer 10 construct the New York for
the Same amount that il has agreed
10 build the Texas-$5, 100000.
Secretary Meyer has decided to
place all of the facts relative 10 the
two ships before congress and let
that body decide what shall be done.
He will inform congress that if the
New York is built by the government
an additional appropriation of $780,
900 will De necessary TO complete hull
and machinery and that the Newport
News company has agreed to build
The New York for the same amount
as its estimate on the Texas, thereby
saving the government sl,740,000 on
the ship.
Officials of For Washington.
General Manager Walter A. Post
and Superintendent of HUH Construc
lion Homer l.. Ferguson left last night
on the steamer Southland for wash
ingtcn 70 look after the interests of
the yard in this matter. They prob
ably will remain in Washington sew
eral days and they hope TO land both |
of The contracts before they return
to Newport News.
When seen On the Old Point wharf
last night Just before he and Mr.. Fer
guson boarded the steamer, Mr.. Post
declined to make any statement fur
Their than to substantiatc the report
that the local company has agreed to
build both ships at a total OF from
sl1J20.c0O to 11.6eO,00). the prices
VARYING according to the @kind of
machinery to he installed.
Would Other Yards Bid?
Senator Martin stated yesterday
that he presumed if congress orders
both ships to be built in private
ward bids on the New York will be
Invited from private bidders. How
ever. the belief here is that such a
course viii not be pursued because
of the fact that pJre of the other
yafis bid on the Texas. Those yards
declined to submit estimates on that
ship on account OF the eight-hour pro
vision. The same provision applies
to the New York. and the belief here
is hat none of the Yards except the
Newport News company would bid on
the ship.
This yard is after the New York
as Ueil as the Texas and the officials
pruning" knife is being welded in
all departments of the government
has caused the general belief that
congress will not vote an additional
sl.500.000 for the construction of the
New York when the ship can be built
for nearly 100000 less than the orig
inal appropriation of ss.o0o,0e0.
May Decide Next Week.
II Is expected that the battlexhio!
mater will be presented 20 coagress
within the next. few days rni That il
will be decided next week. Until .
decision is reached. Secretary Meyer
will not award the contract for the
Texas. That the contract for that
ship will be given the local company
there seems TO doubt. The yard or
cials are satisfied that they viii build
that strip and they hope to build both
her and her sistership.
The following Associated Press dis
patch relative 20 the battleship con-
tracts was received last night from
Washington:
WASHINGTON. n. G.. Dec. 9-The
contract for the new battleshio Texas
for which the Newport News Ship
building and Dry Dock Company was
the only bidder. viii not be awarded
until congress has an opportunity 10
pass upon all the qsestions involved
IN the increased cost Of naval con
sfruction This subject Of cost IL al
ready heing brought to The attention
az members OF congress BY SecreAry
Meyer.
One Of the Questions which con
gross viii be called anon 10 decide II
whether u viii authorize a Substantial
fncr<afe In the limit If cosf Of the
haffleship New YORK IN order to bald
that vessel IN the navy yard or re-
peal The injunction ~ the last naval
b.H 10 the eject that she must Be-
constructed IN government yard