The Washington herald., 1911-04-06

Bids submitted by American ship
builders for two modern war ships to
be ordered by the Chilean government
were opened yesterday at the Chilean
Legation. simultaneously. bids sub
mitted for these ships by European
shipbuilders were opened at the
Chilean Legation in London ALI Of
the bids will be held confidential pend
ing their submission to the Chilean
naval commission in London.
Only three American companies sub
mitted proposals. They were the Fore
River Shipbuilding Company. of
Quincy, Mass: the New York Ship
building Company, of Camden, n j..
and William Cramps Sons, of .Phila-
delphia- A fourth company, the New
port News Shipbuilding and Drydock
Company, had prepared estimates on
the specifications for the ships, but at
the last moment withdrew their bid
Senior Yoacham. the charge daft
fairs Of the embassy. who opened the
bids, said that, though he had no
knowledge of the figures submitted by
the European builders, he was much
grained by the American bids. 1t will
probably be some time before the con-
tracts for the ships are awarded.
To Further "DoIlar Diplomacy,
The State and Navy departments are
taking a keen interest in the attempt of
the American shipbuilders to secure
these contracts-the State Department
because it would be a feather for dollar
diplomacy and the Navy Department
because it realizes that foreign business
&c npCpSS9rrr fnr h. -F,,1
ment of American shipyards, and ship
yards, it considers, are an essential at
tribute of the navy.
The Chilean government has recently
appropriated s15,0co. coo. which was made
Immediately available, Cor the construc-
ton of "one or two battle ships or
cruisers" Besides this. there is
an additional appropriation of $l4OOOOOO
for river. harbor, and marine improve
ments, at all OF which work American
companies will be given a chance II is
expected that the Chilean government
will order more battle ships in the near
future. The State Department will do
al in its power to secure this work for
American interests.
Explain Argentine Affair.
In response to a resolution Of inouirv
passed by the Senate at the instance of
nent of the regular session OF Congress,
Secretary Knox and Secretary Meyer
sent to the Senate yesterday informa-
ION from their respective departments
n regard to the governments part in
he construction of two Argentine battle !
hips
The resolution was searching and de-
handed to know whether American sec
ct processes and exclusive patents had !
'een put at the disposal of the Argentine |
Republic TO aid private firms in obtaining |
oreign business. Secretary Knox replied !
hat only the diplomatic phase of the
regulations had been dealt with in mis- |
department. The State Department. ne |
aid, for the first time in its history had !
endered its friendly offices to aid private !
rms in the United States in getting for /
ign contracts The Fore River Com
ANY had solicited such friendly offices
nd the communication from the Fore
River Company. asking for such inter-
-ention. was sent to the Senate with /
secretary knox's reply.
The Secretary explained in his commu-
ication that American firms have been
t disadvantage heretofore in compel
ng with foreign bidders for foreign con-
racts because of the fact that the dipIo-
matte offices of the United States were
ot employed to aid them
1t was decided to furnish the fire
ontrOl plans to the constructors, but
10 plans or designs, patents for which
re held exclusively for this country,
ave been furnished. says the Secre-
airy.