New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-05
DQniels'S Economy
Costs Navy Dear
Secretary Wouldn't Buy Coal Of Trust, but Re
shipment of Independents Fuel Makes Bill
lump, and Department Faces Shortage.

all the coal companies on the admiralty
list operate in the Yves: Virginia area.
They work on economical lines, the
same common carriers transporting
their coal to the coast, by rail or water,
ard their overhead charges and cost OF
mining and labor are about the same.
Their coal had been proved to be best
adapted for navy needs, and 1t had
been the custom of the department TO
divide the annual contracts among all
companies. The 81 90 a ton, delivered
at Norfolk, represented a reasonable
profit 70 the coar companies and was at
the same price charged to private
shippers or to foreign owned lines.
A new bidder lad broken into the
field. the J. II. Weaver Coal Company
of Philadelphia. which seemed to have
no trust" affiliations. That company
made a bid of SO SIS a ton, with a 10
cent freight rate. making 81 so the
price of a ton Of coal delivered at
Philadelphia. At the request OF the
Navy Department, the old companies
Rad reconsidered their bids and =
duced them TO 81 SO, but the Pennsyl-
wanna corporation got the contract Tor
100000 tons Of coal.
Island Navy Yard at Philadelphia there
is no use for navy coal at Philadelphia.
Every pound must be lightered else
where.
The contract called for the delivery
of 100000 tons of coal and all add
tional agreement calling for an add
tional $4,000 tons, said TO be for use at
the League Islands yards. Six hundred
tons a week, or 10000 tons year, ere
allowed for consumption there, and
| 800 tons apiece for four battleshlps
making that their coaling base. An
other 1000 tons as reserve brings the
League Island needs up to 10000 tons.
Economy Proves Expensive.
The remaining $4,000 tons was fast
coming in, and the Navy Department
having no possible US, for It az PhIla-
delphia, had 10 transport II TO Norlolk'
The cost Of Tightening IL 20 the Nlr-
ginia port was found 10 be 10 cents a
ton, making a freight bill OF $4,000 m
Cured in an endeavor TO save little
more than $4,000 on the cost OF the
coal.
Secretary Daniels declared he had
not figured without taking his re-
sources into consideration. Ordcrs
wer, given for the construction of four
barges. which were built recently at
the Philadelphia yard. The navy
tug Uncas was ordered to ply be
tween Philadelphia and Norfolk until
the 10000 tons of coal were in South
ern bunkers. 40 freight bill would
have to be met and the peculiar meth
DDS of economy INDUCED in by the
present administration would prevail
An unforeseen contingency arose. The
Uncss made the ninety mile trip from
Norfolk, took the loaded barges in tow
and was heading down the Delaware
when il was found that the lows were
leaking. Their use was abandoned
promptly, as it was evident that once in
tn. open sea they would sink like solid
shot The tug is to-day on its way To
Charleston, S. c., with an empty large
in tow, while the 10000 tons u coal
remain in Philadelphia.
The aid OF GOLFERS was next invoked
by Secretary Daniels. The Proteus
drawing thirty feet Of water. was or
dered to Philadelphia to load. with
Weaver coal The captain did not dare
to take on full capacity, as there is .
dangerous sand bar in the Delaware
beyond Chester which could only be
passed over at high tide. Two other
bars were considered as source OF
trouble, making IL necessary for ship
| of the Proteus's draft 10 await thres
} separate tides in the voyage.
The trip was undertaken, however
and two other cOlliers were ordered 70