Letter to R.H.M. Robinson - November 8, 1916
Transcript
Mr. Friedricks c/c Contract File [November] 8, 1916. The Lake Torpedo Boat Co., Bridgeport, [Connecticut] Refer to Commander R.H.W. Robison, Managing Director. Dear Sir:- Subject 8-HOUR LAW AS APPLIED TO YOUR ORDERS G-4 and G-5. Attached copy of letter, dated [November] 2, 1916, from Acting Secretary of Navy Department, with reference to the question of whether the 8-hour law applies to us, in the construction of the engines covered by your above-mentioned order numbers. This matter was dealt with two years ago, and we refer to your letter dated September 14, 1914, your File No. 1350; and copy of letter from Inspector of Machinery (Captain Higgins), addressed to you under date September 17, 1914. You are aware of the conditions which have induced the Navy Department to reopen this question. Our contention remains, as heretofore, that we are not doing work for the Government; nor are we building engines specifically for the use of submarines of other Government boats. We are furnishing you engines of our standard Type M and Ma, which are light weight, high-speed marine engines, suitable for racing yachts and similar vessels, as well as for submarines. We have offered these engines, are now offering these engines, and shall continue to offer same to purchasers other than the builders of submarine boats, and for purposes other than for use on such boats. As an example, we direct your attention to a proposition we are submitting to the Staten Island Shipbuilding Co., through the Deselektro Co., on such engines. The only difference between the engines which we would sell for use other than on naval vessels, and these which we are now building for you, would be that the former would be built of commercial material, and not subject to the inspection of Navy Department Inspectors. In this respect, the treatment of the engine by us is no different from the treatment which would be accorded to valves, built by a valve manufacturer for commercial and naval use, respectively. It is true that, where these engines have not yet been designed in detail, we endeavor to conform to the views and requirements of the Navy Department, as we are aware that you intend to install these
Transcript
[page 2] engines in submarine boats, and you are our first customers for engines of this type. Should we, however, design farther engines of this type, for commercial uses, we would not change such designs if the engines were intended for submarines; but would merely construct such engines of materials according to the Navy Department specifications, and under Navy Department Inspection. We would like to have your early recommendations as to the manner in which we should reply to Navy Department letter, receipt of which we have, meanwhile, merely acknowledged. Very truly yours, BUSCH-SULZER BROS.-DIESEL ENGINE CO. By Chief Engineer. MR T Encl. letter
Details
| Title | Letter to R.H.M. Robinson - November 8, 1916 |
| Creator | Unknown |
| Source | Unknown. Letter to R.H.M. Robinson. 08 November 1916. Busch-Sulzer Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin. |
| Description | Letter from the Chief Engineer of the Busch-Sulzer Brothers Diesel Engine Company to Commander R.H.M Robinson of the Lake Torpedo Boat Company based out of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The Chief Engineer inquired about the application of the eight-hour labor law to the Busch-Sulzer company. The eight-hour labor law of June 19, 1912 was applicable in every U.S. public contract which required the employment of mechanics and laborers. |
| Subject LCSH | Diesel engine; Submarine boats; Busch-Sulzer brothers Diesel engine company; Lake Torpedo Boat Company |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; 8-hour labor law |
| Contributing Institution | Wisconsin Historical Society |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Wisconsin Historical Society: 608-264-6535 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | November 8, 1916 |
| Language | English |