Morning journal and courier., 1888-12-03
OUR DEFENCELEss COASTS.

Secretary EndIcott's Appeal for Money
 to Purchase Guns and TorPedOes
 70 Protect the sea-OOast and Lake
 Fronts. Total Appropriations
 Needed.
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-Secretary Edicott in his report alludes feelipgly to the death of General Sheriden, which, he says, deprived the army of chief prominently fitted for such command, whose wide experience, ready resources, and personal quality made hi m tower of strengthin council and action. The secretary invites the attention of con- gress to the defencelsss condition of our sea- coast and lake fronts. It appears more i'm portant than ever that immediate and liberal action in this direction should be taken by the coming session of congress in view of the fact that the last session gave appropriations for the construction of heavy ordnance.
 APPROPRIATION NEEDED FOR DEFENSE.
 For the construction of needed defences in which to place these new guns an appropri- ation of $2, SAG, 900 Is asked for. Torpedoes and submarine mines the secretary says are now acknowledged by sll nations to be abso- lutely necessary to the efficient defense of har- bors and seaports; and for fse purpose of these and the necessary az. aees for oper- ating them and for experimenting to ascer- tain the best of the many inventions an ap. propriation of $1 ,690, ,000 is recommended. Under the provisions of the army bill for the procurement of pneumatic dynamite guns the necessary specification are now being preared and advertisements for propo- ssls will belissued early this month for guns of fifteen inch calibrs to throw projectiles car rying charge of about 800 pounds of explo- sive gelatine. CHANGING OF THE STYLE OF WEAPON. Discussing the operations of the ordnance department the report states that during the year ended June 30, 1888, fl, 13O rifles and carbines were manufactured at the national armory and that investigation has been con- pleted to determine the charge and projeetile | for an arm of smaller calibre than the pres \ ent service. It is the intention to use com pressed and perforated cartridges, but as yet | the powder makers have not succeeded in producing a satisfactory powder, the desired | velocity being accompanied by too great g pressure This matter of suitable powder 1 is still under trial. The results obtained h | France with Lebel rife seem to point to 8 | radical change in the manufacture of powder | for email arms. Land has been secured as 9 | site for an arsenal at Columbia, Tenn, and | the title is now being examined by the de- | partment of justice.
 TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS.
 Secretary Endicott renews the recommend ation made in previous reports for the ap pointment of an assistant secretary ot war Such an official is imperatively needed, hs says, for the proper and efficient administra ton of the war department. The secretary'i
 estimates of appropriations to the % var aeae de calls for s44, ,782, ,607. This includes $25, 293. .372 for the military establishment ant $13. .7s5. .345 for public works and river ant harbor improvements. The appropriation for the last fiscal year amounted to $4l
 165, ,107, and for the current year $o9,6 1884.