Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1897 — REPORT AS TO ARMOR PLANTS. [ARTICLE]

REPORT AS TO ARMOR PLANTS.

Naval Board Fites Its Findings with f ecretary Lone. The naval board appointed by authority of Congress to ascertain the cost of an armor plant made its report through Commodore Howell to Secretary Long Wednesday. The cost of a plant suitable for the'making of naval armor at the rate of about G,OOO tons per annum, which is fully equal to the capacity of both the existing private plants, is set down as about $3,750,000. No recommendation is made, but the board has accumulated much information ns to the merits of various eligible locations. Secretary Long will now proceed to take the next step necessary to carry out the wish of Congress, namely, invite proposals by advertisement for building such a j>lant as that designed for the use of the Government. It is expected that Congress will be advised of the oStrs made by both the existing armor-making concerns to sell oat to the Government, and also of other interests to turn over plants, which, while' not at all like the spedfica-

tions of the board, will permit of alteration into effective plants. Secretary Long will make It quite evident the Govern" ment cannot undertake to make its own armor at the cost named as the limit of price to be paid to private firms in the last naval appropriation bill.