The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-02
ONLY ONE BIDDER
FOR BATTLESR|P
Newport News Company Proba-
bly, Will Build Nays Super
Dreadnought.
BUILDERS DISPLAY APATHY
Enforcement Of Eight-Hour
Labor Law Believed to
BE Responsible.
BUILDERS DISPLAY APATHY

Washington, D. C.. December l.-AbsenceI
OF competition marked the opening of bids
at the Navy Department to-day for the con-
struction OF one OF the greatest Dreadnoughts
OF the United States Maya hrst-class bat
tIeship OF 1900 tons dispacemcnt--two
fleet Golfers and machinery for second
new battleship. which Will be built at
government navy yard.
The apathy OF the shipbuilding interests
is attributed by officials OF the department
to the action Of Congress- at It's last session
in stipulatng that the work be done under
the eight-hour labor law. The department
Furthermore was unwilling to interpret def
niteiy the extent to which within the mean
ing OF the naval bill the cight-hour Law
would apply TO the work. believing that
many o. It's phases were subjects for the
determination OF the courts. This II is be-
iieved. also sad deterrent effect upon
prospective bidders.
powerful than anything afoat under the
American flag, probably will be built by
the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry
Dock Company. OF Newport News va. That
company was the only bidder for the vessel.
presenting four proposals. differing because
of the machinery to be Installed These ran
tom $4,000 to s5,sso.No.
The maximum amount authorized by Con-
Eress for this battlcshIp was 100000.
There probably no successful bidder
for the two steel feet Golfers, with car
rying capacity Of 1850 tong. The maximum
statutory amount authorized for their con
strrct.on was 100000. The Union Iron
works OF San Francisco, submitted proposal
OF sl,5S.bco for ono vessel, but tho bid can
not be considered because 1t exceeds tho
authorized amount The bid OF $4,000 by
the Moran Company, OF Seattle. wash, was
not accompanied by bond or certified
check. and II probably will bn rejected.
The second battleship authorized at the
last session OF Congress--a sister chip OF
the one FIRST mentioned-wiil be constructed
by the government al tho New York Navy
Yard. but the machinery Will be furnished
by private contractor. The General Elec-
trio Company OF schenectady. y. w. which
was the only bidder for this work. proposed
TO deliver the machinery OF the turbo-
electric type and to have a speed OF not less
than twenty-one knots for s352,5oo.
Bids also opened at the department
to-day for armor for the two new battle.
ships Tho e.ght-hour Law does not apply
to this equipment. Proposals were received
fror, the Midvale steel Company. OF Phila-
Bethlehem. Pa. and the Carnegie Steel
Company, OF Pitisburg. Pa. The bids We're
aimost identical in amount, the fgure
named for amor plate, With the exception
-os ;urrct arrnor, being SEQ per ton. while
the proposal for turret armor was $3.50 per
ton
The extent OF the application of he eight
hour law 10 the construction OF naval veg
seIs. 1t ia said. war a subject OF serious con-
Germ to the shipbuilderb. Not only is the
eighi-hour stipulation being felt BY the con-
tractors, built is said that the government
.tsels probably will b. unable 10 complete
1he Florida, nov building a. the New York
Navy Yard within the limit OF the appro-
prietion authorized By Congress
II I, is definitely found that The task is
another appropriation. The same request
VIII be made OF Congress II like condition
threatens the completion time OF the
newest battleship authorized.