Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-12-21
CONTRACT SIGNED NOW
ALTHOUGH Award Was Made Last Sat
ufday, Signatures Were Not Actual
Iy Attached to Document Until Yes
terdsy.

IS $50. e00--the secretary Of the navy
yesterday signed the contract with
that company for the construction OF
the 27,o00-ton battleship Texas. AS
announced In this paper sunday
morning, the contract tor the ship
twas formally awarded Saturday. but
the actual signing Of the agreement
by the secretary was delayed untn
the signature OF President Calvin b.
Orcatt, of the shipbuilding company,
who Is III in New York city, could be
attached TO the paper.
Although it had been Generosity ex-
pected that the navy department
would have turbine engines installed
in the Texas, the contract provides
for the installation OF reciprocsting
engines. BY accepting the proposi-
ton OF the local company to install
Curtis turbines in the ships, the navy
department could have saved $780,
900, and by having Parsons turbines
installed the department could have
saved $4,000, the BID of The local
yard on that type of engines beins
the lowest tender offered. A.
Are More Economical.
The decision to revert to the old
rec;procating engines was based upon
the recommendation of the engineer
In thief and other members Of the
construction board. to which the esti-
mates on the ships was referred after
the tenders were opened on Deceu1-
Der I. The reason assigned for this
recommendation was the superior
economy of the reciprocating engines
at What is termed cruising" or mid
die rate speeds. It is not contended
that the turbine Is not superior to the
reciprocatfng engines at top speeds.
but the argument is advanced that
these speeds are used seldom and for
that reason the economical consider
ation prevailed in the award of the
contract.
Work on The Texas began in earn
est at the shipyard Monday and the
moulds for the shell plating. ETC., are
being turned out OF the mould loft.
Special stocks upon which to build
this monster engine OF war must be
provided at the shipyard aud work
or Them will begin at once. 1t is
expected that the keel for the battle
ship will be laid within the next three
The contract calls for the
delivery Of the craft on December 20.
1913, thirty-six months from the date
Of the signing of the contract.
without Recommendation.
With the contract for the Texas in
hand. the officials of the shipyard are
now going after the contract for the
Texas sister ship. the New York.
which the last congress ordered TO be
build IN q navy yard Regarding this
ship, an Associated Press dispatch
rom Washington last night says:
While a final decision has not yet
been announced, 1t appears that the
navy department will refer without
comment to congress the proposition
OF the Newport News company 10
build the batt!eship New York. sister
ship OF the Texas. at the same 1g-
IRE. $3.50 G00." AS matter OF fact.
the local yard has offered to build
The New York at the same figures
submitted for the Texas. the bids
from $5.ss0.000 to $3.50. 900.
According to dispatches from Wash
ngton, the house committee on naval
Affairs is inquiring into the increased
cost OF the building OF bastleships in
the navy yards and Chief Construc-
tor Watt, of the navy. told that COM
mittee yesterday that the government
could save 1880, 900 II the New York
IS built 5v private contract. The con-
structor declared that this saving
could be used to great advantage IN
the navy and that there would be a
saving to the government II
Il could build all OF its vessels by con-
tract.
virginia Delegation Busy.
Every member Of the Virginia dele
cation is said to be working hard to
have the New York built ut the local
yard and thev are hopeful OF success.
An effort will be made to have con-
gress direct Secretary Meyer to ar
range with private builder to con-
strucf the New York. IL that could
be dose the secretary very probably
would accept the offer Of the local
yards as none Of the other private
has even m8de known a de-
sire 20 have an opportunity 20 bid on
the ship
EEcn n bids on the construction OF
the New York are invited. the officials
OF the local yard believe that they
viii fet the ship. They will have
more than en even chance 20 land the
vessel Congressman Fitzgerald sp-
pears 10 have given Up all hope OF
having the New York built In a navy
yard. and n the New York delegation
hss laid down." a. & appears they
have. there Is little room for doubt
that the New Tor VIII Be built
by . private company. And that pri-
vsie company undoubtedly VII Be The
Newport News Shipsuiifing a Dry
Dock Company.
Brought Contrast Here Sunday.
u ess learned yesterday that when
he arrived here Sunday morning from