Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-03
ORDNANCE OF THE COUNTRY.
Great Guns and Small Arm


Gen Benet, chief Of ordnance In hts report for the
nsca year ended June 30th, 1888 shows total amount
to the credit OF the ordnance department for the
year. g S6a 81 OF which 81 sos 669 % was expend
ed, including expenditures attending sales of con-
deinned stores, and $500 for the Garfield monu-
ment
SMALL ARMS.
The report says that the recent inspections OF the
armory and the important arsenalS show that the
duties OF the department are performed with great
skill and efficiency, There were manufactured at
the national aTm0ry at Springfield. Mass, during
the year 3362l arms, including rifles carbines and
Shotguns, besides great deal OF repairing and the
manufacturing of swords Sabers and miscellaneous
supplies In speaking Of arming the soldiers with
ShotgunS, the report says that always numbers Of
these have been sent TO the soldiers scattered along
the frontiers, and are found to he very useful In
compliance with the recommendations OF the select
committee OF the Senate concerning
THE CONSTRUCTION OF HEAVY ORDNANCE
a number OF contracts have been given out for the
various classes Of heavy coast arms In connection
with these contracts letters were sent TO the
various steel works describing the class Of guns
desired and asking the opinion OF the manufac-
turerS as to the practicabltty OF construct
ing such guns Of steel The answers gener-
ally were to the effect that there would be
difficulty in producing steel forgings for tube and
IN this country, so that those had to be ordered
from England. The steel hoops required for the
banded guns made by the Midvale Steel company,
or Philadelphia, are, however, found to be as good
as those manufactured in Europe. Other guns Of
smaller caber are made In the country, and expert
mentS made by the ordnance department. have gen.
orally proven satisfactory.
EsTAB1IsHMENT.oF GOVERNMENT FOUNDRY
The board OF army and navy officers appointed for
the purpose OF examining and reporting to Con-
gress which OF the navy yards or arsenals owned
by the government has the best location and Is best
adapted for the establishment OF a government
W q ofh I'D vct,o,, t>a
adopted for the manufacture Of heavy ordnance
adapted to modern warfare, for the of the army
and navy OF the United States, the cost OF all build
1ngs, TOOLS and implements necessary to be used In
the manufacture thereof, including the cost OF a
steam-hammer OF apparatus of sufficient size for
the manufacture OF the heaviest guns has visited
the principal steel and iron works In the country
and Is now pursuing its investigation In Europe,
and they express the hope that they will be able to
submit TO Congress such strong and full report
and make such definite recommendations that Con-
gress VIII be able to take prompt action towards
providing for the countTyS great want In suitable
facilities and plant for the manufacture OF heavy
ordnance
The report says that the steel guns now being
made by the M1dvale steel works. OF Philadelphia,
will be completed in time to De tried next spring,
and, Should 1t be success, supply OF such will be
procured for the army.
ARMS FOR TIE MILITIA RECOMMENDED.
The report speaks OF the rapid loss OF experienced
men from the army, and recommends that encour-
agement should he given to the formation OF voiun-
teer orga nzations In every state district and city,
NY Hpeidi appropriations Hiade py congress 10 sup
ply arms, equipments, tents, ammunition and other
ordnance Stores and recommends the passage by
Congress OF a bill for this purpose draft of which
is given in the report making the appropriation for
arms and equipments for the militia 5000 600, in
stead OF 100000, as 1t now Is
TESTS OF IRON AND STEEL.
The report closes with the statement that the
commanding officer of the Watertown arsenal has
made his report of tests OF iron, steel and other
materials for industrial purposes for the last fiscal
year, and it will be transmitted to Congress at the
n
ing the testing OF iron and steel Will he contained In
this report.