The National tribune., 1889-08-29
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOings at the Ma
tiOnal Capital
ARMY AND NAVY.


fon Of the Secretary of War TO The failure of man.
ufnctureTs TO respond 10 the advertisement in
vitiag proposals for the construction of Wood
bridge wire-wTapped gun. lt is the belief IN
the Bureau that the failure to secure a bid arose
from the fact that very few IL any, of the pri-
vste iron works are equipped with the plant
necessary for the manufacture of this piece OF
heavy ordnance. A prime requisite is a lathe
at least IS feet long, as the tube Of the gun is
to be D feet long. Another advertisement may
he issued but il is believed it viii be necessary
for the Government to undertake the construc-
tion of the gun.
Unofficial reports received at the Navy De-
partment from Baltimore are TO the effect that
the gunbOat Petrol, on trial recently, has prob
Hbiy lust succeeded In meeting the contract re-
quirements. The trial under forced draft last
ed four hours During the first two hours the
horse power developed ran over 1900, and
nearly up 90 l,400, while the contract required
but LOO But after that time, owing. rs it is
thought to bad firing, the horse power ran down
90 rapidly that the average was reduced almost
10 LOO The builders may ask for another
trial Naval experts are confident that the
vessel If properly handled would net the con-
tractors handsome bonus for extra power de-
veloped. The machinery is said 20 have worked
we'll
The Navy Department has ordered several
heavy payments on new vessels now building
for the Government. They were $4,000 for
fhe.sixth payment on the Newark to Cramp. OF
Philadelphia. and two payments of 81, 600 each
70 the Qnintard Iron Works, OF New York, as
the eighth payments on the gunbOats Concord
and Bennington. Penalties OF 50 day for de-
lay will begin TO run in the case of these gun
boats on Sept. l, the date when they should be
completed.
The Inspector of Machinery for the Charles
ton telegraphs TO the Navy Department that
she ran for five hours in San Francisco Bay on
Saturday. Her maximum revolutions were "a,
and her vacuum 26. The cross-head slides, air
pumps and machinery worked well.
Beard OF officers. 10 consist Of Maj. James
Gilliss. Qnartermaster Capt. John K. Rodgers,
Military Storekeeper; and First Lieut.. VIM.
w. Witherspoon, 18th Inf, ordered 10
assemble az the QuartermAsteT-G Generals Office,
this city, Wednesday, Aug. D. for the ex-
animation OF candidates FOR appointment as Su-
perintendeuts Of National Cemeteries.
AN INNOVATION IN SOLDERING.
Everybody in Washington and its surround
inFE knows Of the attempt 20 increase the water
supply, and how futile the tunnel scheme was
from the almost criminal neglect of the officer
who bad charge offhe matter, and who is now
suffering the penalty Of that neglect
The new project "-as Engineer officers
designate such schemes-is 10 lay big iron
tube In a trench that extends clear across the
northern part Of the city, and this gives the
theme for a little story that / fancy viii in
terest MARY an old comrade.
~
east 10 First these huge pipes are stored In
double ranks. and are fosr feet interior diane
ter The northern section Of the city OF Wash
inEfOn ID full Of men who wore the blue during
the days Of the rebellion, aud il is but natural
that their sons Should have inherited some
thing Of iacliuation for soldering. Little
companies OF little men are common 10 be
found Rp there, and often see someone direct
ing their eysiutiOns OF arms movement thai
bears unBsistakAhle signs Of having an old-time
expeFieaee that qualities him for instructor
for these lads tbat must fght our next war.
One evening last week / was strolling down
Fourteenth street. and rs reached street
saw company" Of about 30 lads drilling in
that thorous!ifare. A tall. slenderly built man
was watching them. and ] fanny that the little
Captain o. ihe company was his son.
As / halted there, the little commander gave
command that ast0nished me, bHt that made
me believe De will make mighty good soldier
some day. lie was marching bis command
straight toward the rows oftbe huge iron sater-
pipes, aud ! was wondering what be would do.
. Prcgare 10 pass The 0bstruetion-open col
umu 20 rlght aud left"; and the little rascals
marched right through that double line Of
piping fer fully half n square
J doubt exceedingly whether the disciples Of
Upton would approve Of the wording of the
Captains osder. but at the same time il accom-
plished bss Intention, aud his command under
SlOod hiIa.
LEGISLATIVE sTIE0TEEss-
When bids were opened last week az the Navy
Department for the new vessels for the Navy
that Eese authorized by the last Congress the
officials were sorry 20 find that the bids pre-
senied by the shipbuiiders would not come
anywhere within reach Of the idiOtic appro-
priaIioEs shade.
j Is Tie rtrangest thing in the world how
these CcnrreEsaen 20 about professional mat
tiers faai lot one IN bait a hundred of them
all kHoE a bipody thing about They passed
biii iisai specified the tonnage % each aud all
81 the nca ships, and then went on for 10
specify eKartiy what each one should cost.
Now the bidders come before he Department
and their figures are 50 high that The bids can
not - listened 70. because they are so far
above The specified appropriation. It Is shame.
fns thing about the nfggardiy way that Con
Rness makes appropriations Washington haI
long suffered frofH that; and 20 also has bays
sns rivers and haTbOrs ali over the country.
Look Fl tire spectacle Of the Chief Magistrate
81 country Of % 100000 Of population forced
. reside ~ tie same building that also Is BIZ
CfAce. lt u shameful and IL the present Con
Rress does not rectify the wrong il will be ;
further disgrace 10 tie United States.
THE PRESIDENTS xoyEMESTs.
On Wedneaaay, Aug. q, the President lef
Deer Park for the West He stopped of a
Cincinnati, o., where be Was gives a royal re
cepflon. From CineinBati he Travelled 10 In
monies Of the laying Of the cornerstone q
the Indiana soldiers and sailors monument
On FRIDAY be took part in the Reunion Of hi
old regiment, the 7Ch Ind, over go Of the sur
ElgOrs beiHg present. The President gave tn
old veterans talk, and afterwards q gen
eral bandshake. He afterwards held a publ
reception. - which everybody who could re
near eDoHgh was permitted 20 take the han
OF the E1ccgtiTe.
Tie Presidential party left indianapolis q
O'clock 3. %. for Deer Park, where the
arrived - O'Clock on Saturday morning Tn
President Will remain az the Park several day
20 roeuperate. when ne will return TO the Whit
House FOR few days.
TWO CLAIMANTS FOR THE OFFICE.
The Fourth Auditor Of the Treasury hs
transmitted 70 The First Comptroller a iette
received by him from Andrew J. Whitaker
GafpenteFsEiile. I'LL, in which the writer say
be has seen IN Chicago newspaper A notice I
bis appointment as Deputy Fourth Audito
and beRs leave 10 accept the Office
Andrew J. Whitaker, Of Illinois was dull
appointed 10 that office about two weeks az
and gentleman who claims 10 be from IlliBoi
although recently engaged in business In Wasl
lugton. appeared a week ago, qualified an
began Tie discharge Of the duties Of Deput
Auditor.
The Fourth Auditor has sent the letter Of a
second Andrew j. Whitaker 70 the First Conn
tFoller " determine who is entitled 10 Ii
place.