Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-02-11
NAVY |SACCUSED
| OF AIDING FIRMS
Probers See Collision in
Proposal Regarding Ship
Contracts.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Assertions by members of the Sen
ate Munitions Committee that the
Navy was "a party" to alleged collu-
sion among shipbuilders in bidding on
naval contracts went into records of
the investigation today on top of both
affirmationS and denials that there
was any collision.
The statements were voiced both
by Senator Nye, Republican, of North
Dakota, chairman of the committee,
and Senator Clark. Democrat, of Mis-
souri,, member, In a fire Of questions
and accusations hurled at william NJ
Flock, former board chairman of the
New York Shipbuilding Corp
Statements that shipbuilding COM
panies had prearranged their bidding
so as to divide work among them were
fatty denied by Flock, but he finally
conceded a corporation letter limited
at it.
Bardo Aide Testifies.
His testimony came after George
B. Yard, assistant to Clinton L. Bardo,
former president Of the corporation,
had said he interpreted telephone con-
versations among the heads Of the
big three" yards as indicating collu-
sion
The committee introduced in evil
dence a letter from Bardo to Flock,
dated June %, 1888, telling of a visit
Of the company president to repre-
sentatives of the Navy in Washington.
There was also expressed to U.s."
Bardo wrote. the desire (by the
Navy that the builders themselves
should get together and agree as far
as we could upon what each would
bid and then bid on nothing else
IF that were done at the request
of the Government" Flock asserted,
II would not call it collision"
That is collision" Senator Clark
commended, If the Navy is a party
to it."
That makes the Navy a party to
the COLLISION" Nye added.
Bardo Letter Quoted.
In his letter Bardo said, in part:
II know from my talks with some
OF the representatives Of the Navy
who are keenly interested in this
work that they are DESTROYS Of finding
some substantial reasons for award
ing this work to the largest possible
extent to private yards upon whom
they must rely for the necessary en-
gineering to complete the ships.
There was also expressed to us
the desire that the builders them
selves should get together and agree
as far as We could upon what each
would bid and then bid on nothing
else"
Yard said earlier he had heard the
New York Shipbuilding Corp arrang-
ing with the Newport News Shipbuild
ing & Dry Dock Co. and the Bethlehem
Shipbuilding Co. for dividing naval
contracts. They are termed the big
three"
Asked by Senator Vandenberg Re
publican, of Michigan how he hap
pened to be present, the heavy-set
witness from Woodbury., N. j.. said
Ilc was " a lOI Va
your people finally caught up with
me-"
Remark Is Explained.
Explaining this remark to newspaper
men. F. w. La Rouche, committee
counsel, said We chased him all
over New Jersey over the week end"
La Rouche added. however. that he
could not say whether Yard was
attempting to escape service of a sub
poena.
Il don't know that he was" he
added, and I don't want to create
wrong impression"
Vandenberg took Yard over a series
of telephone calls the witness claimed
to have heard. as well as over the
meeting of shipbuilders in Washing
ton in July, 1888, prior to letting of
financed by P. W. A. funds
I'm connection with the 1888 naval
contracts" the Michigan Senator
pressed, "if we have had testimony
which asserts there was no consulta-
ton among the New York ship, New
port News and Bethlehem, regarding
bids and work. previous to the bid
ding. you would say that was incor-
rect?"
Yard parted with question
whether he had to reply.
You must" the Senator said firmly,
leaning over his desk.
II suppose I have to say yes" Yard
replied.
Then they we're not telling the
TRUTH" interjected Senator Clark,
Democrat, of Missouri.
Either that or they were suffering
from mental paralysis" Yard an
Swered.