Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-12-13
The New Gun Foundry to be Established
There.

The New Gun Foundry to be Established
There.
WASHINGTON, December 12th.-Benicia
has won the battle. The ordnance foundry
will be located there. During the past
week the San Diego men have been using
their utmost endeayors to secure the gun
foundry. Puget Sound and Galveston hay.
been working hard also.
As the time drew near for the settlement
OF the matter, the various cities-Seattle,
Tacoma, San Diego, Galveston, Indianapo-
lis and Rock Islsnd-realized more and
more what big plum it was, and then re-
doubled their efforts, but Benicia had the
inside track from the very start as tele.
graphed time and again by the California
Associated Press
The Indianapolis people paraded their
natural gas advantage, and Rock Island
Galveston, Seattle and Tacoma sang their
own praise incessantly, but it was no USE
The natural surroundings gave the prize to
Benicia beyond all doubt, and it only
needed the efforts of Morrow and Mex emma
to settle the matter. Morrow looked after
the matter in the Appropriations Commit.
tee and Mckenna exerted all of his influ-
ence towards securing the foundry for Be-
nicia.
The Commission first visited Indian
apolis, and then Rock Island, from whence
they went to Puget sound. After the Com
mission had visited the various sites on the
sound, they seemed to be very favorablv
impressed with its natural advantages, and
it was thought possible that it might Sc
cure the prize after all, but when the Com
missioners had examined Benicia Puget
sounds chances were knocked out.
The report of the Commission is now in
the Presidents hands, and will probably be
transmitted TO Congress in very few days,
and possibly to morrow. The report saws
that gun foundries at other places than at
Watervliet and on the Pacific coast will be
unnecessary. The report says, however,
that before positive action is taken, Be-
nicia's capability of producing steel forgings
should be settled beyond all doubt
The principal reason assigned. by the
commissioners for selecting Bsnicia is her
geographical situation, besides being good
way inland, where her ordnance would be
protected from hostile nations Benicia
has narrow straits in front of her. so that il
would be absolutely impossible for foreign
vessels to pass.
The depth of the water rolling land,
drainage and railroad facilities rendered
the site admirable for the purpose. The
Commissioners say that the close proxim-
ity to iron ore and fuel, and the abundance
OF skilled labor, were important. considera-
tions in Benicia's favor. Besides the iron
ore, there was also an abundance of coal,
fire clay and limestone, all of which are
prerequisites.
The Commissioners say that both Indian
apolis and Rock Island were not suitable
locations, because even if the bridges were
capable OF sustaining such great weights in
transporting, the matter of freight rates
would still be an important matter.
The fact that extensive Notifications on
the Pacific coast at various places are con-
templated is another strong reason as
signed in selecting Benicia.
Watervliet will now furnish the guns for
the Atlantic and Benicia for the Pacific
coast. These will be the only foundries of
their kind in the United States. The gun
foundry al Watervliet is worth thousands
OF dollars annually to that thriving little
city, and Benicia will derive the same ben
eft from the establishment of the Pacific
coast foundry.