Mr. HENDRICKS. I do not know of a single case in which this does not O for the benefit of n mechanic. There may e some of these contractors who are not mechanics, but I am not aware of a single case of that kind. The workman, the particular mechanic who assisted the contractor in his shop, has received his wages from month to month. As the wages Went n he was paid. When the contract was made the laborer got 11 cents an hour. In two months from that time he got 13 cents; 2 months further on he got 15 cents; and tire months further on he ot 18 cents. He has been paid this; he could compel the contractor to p it. The contractor himself is the mechamc, investing his labor, his skill, his judgment, and his means in his shop; and he produces a vessel that is acceptable to the Dept and that is valu able to the Government. I say he is not to be compared to the man who es out into the mar ct to buy up what may e needed for the Army for the par oses of speculation. The Senfrom Ohio says that mechanics have made more money during the war than they ever made before. If the Government had not expected of these mechanics to construct ships, and they had been left to ursne their ordinary business, they, too, would have enjoyed the advantages, so far as advantages Were enjoyed, coming from the war; but having to construct these ships, they are losers. Does the Senator question the fact; does the Senator doubt the fact that they are losers? Then why does he say that mechanics have made money? We are talking about these particular cases. They have not made money. ther mechanics have made money, I admit. The Senator, Ipresume, is aware of the fact that for 3 years back the railroad compa nies have not been able to make contracts for the delivery of locomotives at an period in the future; and why? Because mechanics have known for 3 years past that there was a constant advance in the cost of material and labor, and they would not make contracts for future delivery, but required the companies to my what an engine was worth when produced. at here the Government obtained from these parties their contracts; and the question is, under all the circumstances, shall t cy be held to the bond? The Senator says the award is large; it is 2, 207,000. That is what thB board say were the losses. I think myself that the losses ought to be paid because they have been occasioned in part by the act of the Government. The Senfrom Nevada proposes by his amendment that it shall be restricted in the highest Icase to 15%. upon the contract price. believe that would reduce it very nearly a million dollars. The Senfrom Ohio propose s that it shall be 12%. I think, then, the reduction would be something more than a million dollars. The precise amount I cannot state to the Senate.