Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-08-05
oAN THIs me- rRUEq
Gun-maiStnE Contract That Seems
90 Hnvoive NIr. Logan.

70 Involve MIR. Logan.
New York sun.
/ Inc Senate committee on appropria-
tions has added to the Fortifications bilI A
new section appropriating 10000 "to
enable the Secretary of War to contract
with tho South Boston iron works for the
construction OF 10 IL. inch muzzle- loading
cast'lron mortars, each Of 81 900 pounds
weight, at a Sum not exceeding SO 900
eaoh,or six with steel bands not 10 exceed
$4,000 each, in the discretion of the
Secretary Of War;
The name of the company specified in
the bill sounds Robesonish. The old
south Boston Iron Company had certain
well-remembered relations with the Ring
OF Thunder. The company failed about
four years ago, and its business was reor-
ganized under the style of the South
Boston iron works. Mr., William p. Hunt,
who Ind been president and treasurer of
the South Boston Iron Company, became
president and treasurer Of the South
Boston iron works
Two yenrs ngo Senator John A. Logan
OF Illinois, Senator John Il. Morgan of
Alabama, and Senator Warner Miller of
New York were reputed 10 be interested
with a Major Hayden of Washington in
the development of u pntent yapor fuel, n
process in which petroleum was used to
obtain intense heat for melting and cast
ing iron.
The experiments with this patent pro-
cess were conducted NJ the South Boston
works, at the expense of the company. A
special furnace was built for the purpose.
During the experiments both Senator
Logan and Senator Morgan visited South
Boston.
Two years ago a correspondent Of the
Sun asked MIR. Hunt about the vapor fuel
scheme. Yes" he was then reported as
saying, I'VE are trying process for using
petroleum us fuel 10 melt iron. The idea
originated with Major Hayden, and Sen
ators Logan, Morgan and Miller are inter
ested with him in it. They agreed, IL we
would develop it, to allow us 10 use the
process without royalty. We are making
good round shot, cast by this process, and
it has been recommended AZ valuable
invention TO General Benetn
Two years ago, again Mr.. Alexander
Paul, who has been for seven years the
book-keeper Of the South Boston Iron
VIM AAtOlluOI an oubI
from Mr., Hunt 10 enter the service of the
new concern, informed the Sun that in
picturing the glowing prospects of the
reorganized works MIR. Hunt told him
that II the new process stood the test,
Logan would see to it that the company
Ind an order for 100 12.inch guns ut
$27 900 each, making the gross proceeds
2,700, ,00O."
All this is very curious indeed, and it
suggests some highly interesting ques-
tions.
Do the 10 twelye-inch guns ordered in
the section which has Just been added to
the Fortihcations bill by the Senate com
mittee, form the first instalment of the
promised ono hundred?
Is Senator Logan, and are any other
senator's, still interested, directly or in
directly, in the vapor fuel scheme which
has brought them into such close rela-
tiOns with this South Boston company 7
These are pertinent questions, for
Senator Logan is a member OF the COM
mittee on appropriations which has Just
added the section 10 the hill. He
10 also chairman of the Senate committee
OH military affairs. He was chairman of
the select committee on heavy ordnance
and projectiles. For several years he
has represented the Senate in conference
committee on the Fortifcations bill, and
If he hadn't gone west he would be look
ing after the interest of that measure again
this year. .
In fact, 50 far as the United States
Senate is concerned, the big gun business
of the country is pretty much in Senator
Logan's hands.
Has it left any..dirt on Senator Logan's
hapds2