has already been remarked that these shops are distant from the offices of the establishment, and cannot therefore be under the immediate observation of the superintendent. It is at these that irregularities are most likely to occur. The board, therefore, recommend that, instead of an inspector for each shop, there be appointed an inspector of the water shops, with a compensation 25 per cent. above that of the other inspectors, who shall be held responsible to the superintendent of the armory for the management of these shops. A faithful officer at the water shops, with the aid of a skilful and judicious foreman in each shop, to be styled "assistant inspector," will be able to do all the duties now performed by the four inspectors. This change is deemed essential to the good order of the establishment, and there is no doubt in the minds of the board that it will be both economical and salutary.

Fourthly. The board recommend that all persons employed in the establishment, who work at the same branch, shall commence and leave off work at the same time. To ensure the observance of this regulation, it will be necessary for the foreman or inspector of each shop to keep a time book, in which daily entries should be made of the time actually employed in labor by each mechanic. This will afford to the superintendent a certain means of regulating the price of labor on each of the several parts of the musket, and will enable the Department to revise the tariff of prices recommended by the board, to correct any errors they may have made, and to adjust any irregularities that may yet remain in the prices affixed to the several branches.

In all the establishments visited by the board, regularity in the hours of labor, whether the men worked by the piece or by the day, was considered indispensable; and, indeed, the board do not understand how any establishment can be well managed, if the workmen commence and discontinue work at pleasure. The fact that the work of the day may, by great effort, be despatched in a few hours. holds out a strong inducement to hurry over it; and the board do not doubt that a considerable proportion of the loss on defective barrels is attributable to this cause. Besides, a certain number of the workmen must always be employed by the day; and if those who work by the piece do not observe the same hours, the machinery must be kept in motion without performing full work. These, together with other inconveniences which result from the present arrangement, have caused the board to consider a change in this respect among the most important improvements of which the establishment is susceptible.

The board is of opinion that the barrel welders and bayonet forgers should be employed seven hours per day, and that all the other workmen should be employed ten hours per day. In many of the establishments visited by the board, the laborers are occupied twelve hours per day, and in none of them less than ten hours. The work, also, at these establishments, is quite as hard and exhausting as at the armory.

Fifthly. The board have deemed it necessary to make an entire alteration in the tariff of prices. This they have found by far the most difficult of their duties. The number of operations to which prices are fixed is very large, amounting to some hundreds. Some of these operations are performed by machinery, some by hand labor, and some by the union of hand labor with machinery.

The board have no doubt that, taking into consideration the perfection of the machinery, the mechanics are paid nearly 50 per cent. higher than

is paid for the same work in private establishments. Under the impression that the Government should observe some consistency in its rates of compensation, they have adopted a scale of prices intermediate between those now paid and the wages paid elsewhere. The highest rates of wages, even in the city of New York, do not, for workmen of the first class, range but a fraction over $2 per day, while in few establishments elsewhere do they reach that sum, and in several instances were found not to exceed $1 75.

It may be proper to remark here, that, owing to the high wages and the indulgence of the Government, there are in some of the shops men of advanced age, whose places could perhaps be better filled by younger and more active mechanics. If the Government consider only its pecuniary interests, several changes would probably be made. How far a long service, that has been amply paid, constitutes a claim for further employment, is a question which the board does not assume to decide.

After much consultation with the officers of the armory, and a careful comparison of all the previous tariffs of prices, the board came unanimously to the conclusion to recommend the adoption of the tariff of prices herewith, (marked H.)

By reference to this tariff, it will be seen that the board has fixed the price of the labor on a musket at six dollars and fifty cents; and, while it is believed that this is a very liberal allowance-much above that accorded to the workmen in private armories-still, to ensure stability in the operations of the armory, and to give the workmen an assurance that no sudden change will be made in their compensation, the board recommend that the tariff be permanently adopted, subject only to such alterations, if any, as may be found necessary to equalise the different branches with each other, leaving the aggregate cost of the labor $6 50 In case further laborsaving machinery is introduced, to give perfection to the work and assistance to the workinen, the prices of labor should be proportionably reduced. It will be seen that the board has not recommended any reduction in the pay of the inspectors. These officers should, in all cases, be taken from the most intelligent and industrious of the mechanics. It is deemed desirable, by the board, to hold out to the workmen every inducement to perfect themselves as skilful mechanics; and the hope of being advanced to the grade of inspector, with a liberal compensation, cannot fail to operate as a powerful motive.

Sixthly. The board deem it to be essential to the good order of the establishment that no man who is employed by the day shall be permitted to work at the same time by the piece; and that no work done by one man shall be turned in in the name of another.

Seventhly. As the Government is very likely to sustain a heavy loss in the manufacture of the gun barrel, owing to defective iron and a want of fidelity in the workmanship, the board are of opinion that the interest of the Government would be promoted by procuring the barrels in a finished state. This, it is believed, can be done to any desirable extent, and on terms more favorable than they can be manufactured on public account.

Eighthly. As stocking the musket is by far the most difficult branch of its manufacture, and cannot be well done at the private armories, the board would recommend an addition of two new stocking machines. With this addition to the armory, and the farming out of the barrels and some other

parts of the work, fifty thousand muskets per annum could be made, of a perfect and uniform model.

Ninthly. If it is not desirable to produce over thirteen thousand stand of arms a year, which is a little above the average of former years, the establishment will bear a considerable reduction from its present numbers. Two hundred men, including the inspectors, are sufficient for the manufacture of that number, and the surplus hands now employed may be dis charged.

The board feel that they ought not to withhold their testimony to the valuable services rendered by the present master armorer. The improved machinery, which has contributed so much to perfect the musket, has been gotten up chiefly by him; and his mechanical skill and ingenuity may yet be of great service to the establishment.

The board have witnessed with regret the exercise of a strong local influence, by the citizens and press of this place, in the affairs and management of the armory. It is an influence growing out of the feeling that the establishment is a local one, and should be managed with reference to the interests of the town. Such an influence will always be adverse to the interests of the Government, which can only be properly protected by regarding the establishment in its natiofial character, and keeping it under the immediate control of the War Department..

In conclusion, the board would add, that every means of information has been afforded them by the superintendent; that all their conclusions have been formed after mature deliberation; and that they have recommended no changes about which there has been any difference of opinion, or which, in their judgment, are not demanded by the public interest. All which is respectfully submitted.

SPRINGFIELD, (MASS.,) September 25, 1841.

CHARLES DAVIES.
JOHN CHASE.
DANIEL TYLER.

SPRINGFIELD, (MASS.,) MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1841.

Under instructions from the Secretary of War, the board, composed of Charles Davies, Daniel Tyler, and John Chase, Esqs., met, for the purpose of examining into and reporting upon the condition and management of the United States armory at this place, and organized by electing Charles Davies, Esq., president, and receiving J. D. McPherson as secretary.

In the absence of Major J. W. Ripley, commanding the armory, with whom they were directed to put themselves in communication, the board adjourned from day to day until Thursday.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1841.

The board met, and, in compliance with their request, were furnished by Major Ripley with the paper herewith, (marked A,) containing the points to which the attention of the board should be directed. The notice herewith, (marked B,) was ordered to be conspicuously posted in the six principal workshops of the armory, to visiting which the remainder of the day was devoted.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1841.

The board met, and determined to devote the day to visiting the different workshops connected with the armory. On reaching the shops where the barrels are welded and bayonets forged, &c., the workmen, upon those branches were found to be absent, and the inspection of those operations was necessarily deferred until- to-morrow.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1841.

The board met, and devoted the day to inspecting the remainder of the workshops. This being concluded, it was determined that members of the board should visit the 'private armories and similar establishments in the vicinity; for which purpose the board adjourned to Monday, the 13th instant.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1841.

The board met, pursuant to the adjournment, and received from Major Ripley, commanding the armory, in compliance with their request, the statements, herewith, (marked, respectively, C, D, E, F, and G.) The day was devoted to a comparision of the results of their inquiries at the private establishments visited by the members of the board, comprising the following viz: The axe factory at Collinsville, the private armories at Middletown and New Haven, (Conn.,) and Millbury and Pittsfield, (Mass.,) and several large foundries in the city of New York. A statement of prices was also received from several manufacturing establishments at Dover, (N. H.,) and Lowell, (Mass.)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1841.

The board met, and called before them Thomas Warner, who was interrogated, and answered as follows:

Question by the board. What office do you hold?

Answer. That of master armorer.

Question. How long have you held it?

Answer. Four years.

Question. How many hours per day do the armorers work, on an average?

Answer. Between six and seven.

Question. How long could they work without injury to their health? Answer. Ten hours a day, except grinders, welders, and bayonet forgers; these should not work more than seven hours a day.

Question. How do the armorers stand with regard to skill as mechanics? Answer. Below mediocrity. The introduction of labor-saving machinery has rendered less skill necessary, especially in stocking.

Question. Could better workmen be obtained for the wages now paid? Answer. Far better.

Question. What is your opinion of the present tariff of prices?

Answer. That it is too high, and operates unequally; some branches being much better paid than others. Men employed on some of the branches may be absent a week or more, and yet make full wages. Question. Why, then, do they not make better wages?

Answer. There is an understanding among them not to get too much on the pay roll, for fear of having the prices lowered.

Question. How and by whom was the present tariff established? Answer. By the late superintendent. I was not consulted on the subject. I have understood that the prices were proposed by the workmen, and approved by the superintendent. I heard him say he would allow what the men asked, and leave the deductions to be made by the Depart ment at Washington.

Question. How much more labor is required on the new model than the

old?

Answer. 25 to 30 per cent., including the higher finish of the former. Question. What portion of the labor has been saved by the introduction of machinery?

Answer. At least 30 per cent.

Question. What is the cause of the great loss on gun barrels?

Answer. It proceeds partly from the inferior quality of the iron, and partly from faults in the welding; the inspection, too, is more rigid than formerly.

Question. How many muskets could be stocked per annum at the armory.

Answer. With $1,500 additional machinery, twenty thousand.

Question. In what time could preparations be made to stock fifty thousand stand of arms a year?

Answer. In three months.

Question. How have the inspectors been selected?

Answer. From the best workmen of the armory.

Question. Are they generally competent?

Answer. Some of them, I think, are not.

Mr. Weatherhead, being then called before the board, was interrogated and answered as follows:

Question by the board. How long have you been employed in the armory, and in what capacity?

Answer. Twenty years, during eight of which as master armorer, and the last four as master armorer's clerk.

Question. How many hours a day do the armorers work, on an average? Answer. Between seven and eight.

Question. Are they quiet and industrous ?

Answer. Not so much so as those in private establishments.

Question. Have you worked in private armories?

Answer. I have.

Question. How many hours a day could they work without injury to health?

Answer. Ten hours, except welders and grinders.

Question. Why do they now not work their full time, and make better wages?

Answer. They are fearful that they might appear too well paid, and be docked. Men may be absent from one to two weeks, and yet make full

wages.

Question. What degree of skill is required in an armorer?

Answer. As much as is required in the manufacture of cutlery.
Question. Does the present tariff operate equally?

Answer. It does not.