Year: 1870

How the CoDI Contractors FIX ThIngs TO Suit
Themselves-How Honest OGicers are Pun
ished for their Efforts to Protect the Govern-
ment.


Among the illustrious citizens of Washington.
where large fortunes are said TO be made in the
briefest time through influence at court, are
Messrs. Brown Il Co., contractors who
supply the Navy Department with coal
They are not unknown to fame, especi-
ally among naval officers, who have occasion
to inspect and accept or condemn coal at the
various navy yards of the United States. They
have extensive contracts with the Government,
and supply vast amount of coal, which is
literally paid for by Uncle Sam. 1t is under
stood that they have peculiar influence in come
occult manner at the Navy Department, and
that their wishes are little less than law with
the officials with whom they come in contact.


Recently very curious incident occurred at
the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which either goes to
prove our statements, or shows that the most
singular condolences may occur, that are be-
yond all plausible explanation. Messrs. Brown
d Company, of Washington, recently sent to
the Brooklyn Navy Yard two large barges loaded
with coal, part of the supply their contract COM
pels them to furnish. In the usual order of
affairs, one of the chief engineers of the yard
Engineer Dandy, and Lieutenant Commander
Wheeler, of the Equipment Bureau, with
another officer were ordered to Inspect
the coal, and to ascertain whether it
was of the quality and kind demanded
by the specifications of the contract. The



and the coal was found to be almost worthless
at any rate quite unfit for use and of worse
quality than the Government had paid for
Their report was made condemning the COAL
and it was not received or paid for. A day or
two afterwards Mr.. Brown, the head of the
Washington firm of contractors, came to the
Navy Yard demanded the names of the Board
of Survey, and finally saw Chief Engineer Dandy
He inquired of the latter whether he had been
one of the Board condemnlng the coal, and re-
ceiyed affirmative rpgDOnSe. Then said he
"How long have you been in the Navy Yard?"


NEARLY two years, said the officer.


well, we will see about that" responded the
contractor, in very significant tone, and then
walked off.


The Chief Engineer was so much struck with
the tone and bearing of the magnate that he told
his friends at once that he was not long for the
Brooklyn yard; that he was to be ordered away
as punishment for daring to condemn worth
less COAL furnished bypowerful contractors who
have the inside track in the Navy Department.
Sure enough his forebOdings were fully realized.
The contractor returned to Washington that
night, and on the following day teegraphic Or
ders were received by Chief Engineer DANDY to
proceed without loss of time to New Orleans. to
assume certain duties there. He was not
allowed time enough to turn over his stores, for
which he was personally responsible, and to
obtain receipts from his successor, if one had
been appointed. ..


Lieutenant Commander Wheeler was detached
two days later, and ordered to join the store
ship Guard, which ALREADY had ito complement
OF officers to go on the agreeable Darien expedi-
ton.


Thus it was that the coal contractor in Wash
ington revenged himself on officers who did
their duty in protecting the Government from
imposition; and in this manner was 1t that the
Navy Department rewarded their efforts to
serve the country instead of pet contractor.


Is it to be wondered at that the expenditures
of the Navy Department are increasingly. Y.
Sun.