The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-12-04


sary appliances for operating them, for
experimenting to ascertain the best of
the many torpedo inventions, and for
continuing the constructions for neces-
sary classmates, cable galleries, etc., for
working submarine mines and torpedo
system, 81, 1896, 900 is recommended. The
construction of torpedo shed for the
storage OF torpedo material, for
use in San Francisco Harbor, to cost
about 500 900 is recommended.
YELLOWSTONE PARK.
Attention is called to the report on the
construction of roads and bridges in the
Yellowstone National Park, and the
necessity of further appropriations for
this purpose.
It is suggested some action should be
taken by Congress to enforce the rights
of the United States in Manageable
streams within the limits of State, and
thus give effect to the duty resting on
the government to protect navigation
thereon.
THE ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT.
Concerning the operations of the Ord
nance Department, the report states
that during the fiscal year ended June
80, 1888, Al, 130 rifles and oarbines were
manufactured at the national armory,
and investigations have been completed
to determine the charge of the projectile
for a smaller calibre than the present
service piece. 1t is intended to use
compressed and perforated cartridges,
but as yet. powder makers have not sue
ceeded in producing satisfactory re-
suits, the desired velocity being accom-
panied by too great pressure; thus the
matter of suitable powder is still under
trial. The results obtained in France
with the Lsbel rife, seem to point to q
radical change in the manufacture of
small arms.
Land will be secured as site for an
arsenal at Columbia, Tenn, and the
title is now being examined by the De-
partment of Justice.
The manufacture of 21<-inch breech
loading rifies was recommended last
spring. One has been completed and
sent TO the proving ground, and the
other is nearing completion.
Reference is made to the appoint
ment of a board of ordnance and
notification. The recommendations of
the board are briefly reviewed. The
Secretary states he directed the board
of ordnance officers to convene at
WaterVliet Arsenal in October last. in
order to prepare necessary plans and
specifications for the erection of an
army sun factory. Advertisements
were published under date of November
22d, inviting proposals for making tie
necessary excavations for the gun fac
tory building and for the erection of
two sets of officers quarters. Bids
for this and other work, such
as constructing a railroad line in
the arsenal grounds for building an
iron bridge over the canal, ETC., will be
opened on December 9th, 1888. De-
tailed drawings and specifications for
the gun factory buildings are we'll in
hand and will be completed within
three or four weeks. After approval
by the board of ordnance and fortifCa-
ton, additional proposals will be in
vited for the completing of tt e work.
1t is expected that the machines, il.
Guiding the larger ones, which may be
of special design, will be completed
early in the shops, say eighteen months
from January LIST, 1889. Under the
provisions of the army, before the pre-
curement of pneumatic dynamite guns,
necessary specifications are now being
prepared and advertisements for pro-
posals will issue early in December.
The guns will probably be of fifteen
inches calibre and throw a proJecti'e
that will carry charge each of about
500 pounds of explosive gelatine with
full calibre projectiles. The guns will
probably be delivered in from six to ten
months from date under contracts. Ali
the other uns of. this class that can be
procured under the provisions of law
would be purchased during the coming
year
INMATES OF THE SOLDIERS HOME.
The Secretary commends the sug-
gestion of the Inspector-G General that
some of the work be done by inmates
of the soldiers homes by daily details
of the inmates, who are competent, for
it is better for their health, and for
economy sake. The Inspector General
is of the opinion that much is done for
the benefcarles of the home, who re-
ceive high pensions, and for retired
soldiers, and he suggested that the
conditions upon which they are re-
ceived be revised. The Secretary says:
"This last suggestion is well worthy
consideration. Some stated and
constant occupation for a certain
period every day would be great
blessing to these old soldiers;
as they are now, the time hangs
heavily and meanly on their hands,
and they lead cherries and idle lives,
and are far from being as contented
and happy as they should be-" He
concludes his report by calling atten-
ton to the great need of an assistant
secretary of war, and says such an Off
Ger is imperatively needed for the pro-
per and efectual administration of the
War Department.