Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-09-03

No Doubt Expressed But That One Will
be Located in California.
WASHINGTON. September 2d.-The Ord
nance and Fertilization Board will con-
vene for its regular monthly session at the
War Department tomorrow. This will be
an important session. as there are many
questions IN connection with the new forti-
fcatiOn bill to be considered. MANY Of the
items were discussed at the last meeting
held in New York, but as the bill had not
then been approved by the President no
formal action could be taken in the matter
OF the allowment of the appropriations for
continuing the work of gun construction
and in repairing batteries for the reception
of guns and mOrtars.
One OF the first items to be considered is
that providing fer gun and mortar batteries
at New York. Boston and San Francisco.
The plans and specifications prepared by
the engineer corps for this work will be
placed before the Board; also the cores
pondence from properly owners and
Mayors OF the three cities concer ming the
sale and donation of sites for the erection of
these batteries. The Secretary of War has
also been giving personal attention to this
matter during his absence from Washing
ton.
Another matter that will be acted upon
at the meeting on Tuesday is the appro.
priation of $500. 900 for procuring boring
and turning lsthes, rifle machinery and an
elghty-ton travelling crane, fully equipped
Tor The manufacture of twelve-inch guns, at
the Watervliet arsenal. There are special
reasons for prompt action in this particu-
lar, as it was one of the chief items of dis
pute between the conferees, and when it
was finally agreed TO the dissenting men,
bers cast their votes in favor of it, believing
that by the time the machinery was pro-
cured Congress would have decided to
build another gun foundry either at the
Rock Island arsenal, Illinois, or at the
Benicia arsenal, California, and instead of
appropriating money for the construction
OF the new wing at the Watervliet arsenal,
necessary for the erection of this ma
chinery. it would be very simple matter
to have the machinery transferred 10 one
of the proposed new gun shops.
San Francisco is making rapid strides in
all matters pertaining to the navy. The
building of such splendid cruisers by the
Union Iron Works is a matter of much
favorable comment around the navy head
quarters. There seems to be no doubt,
whatever, that the Pacific Coast is to have
an ordnance foundry. The good will &C.
crued to the Pacific Coast people, Califor-
mans in particular. cannot be over-esti-
mated. The only foundry of this chsrsc-
ter is at the Wateryliet arsenal New York.
where all kinds of guns are manufactured,
employing hundreds of men and paying
out thousands of dollars annually There
seems hardly any doubt but that such sn
ordnance foundry will be located at
Benicia, Cal.
In the Committee on Appropriations,
Mr.. Morrow fought hard for California
Cannon of Illinois contended that Rock
Island, Ill.,, should be the place. and
member favored some point on the Gulf,
and in the open house Bynum of Indiana
advocated Indianapolis. The result of
such contest was the Incorporation of the
following paragraph in the Notifications
bill:
THE President of the United States is
hereby authorized to appoint Board 10
consist of three officers of the army, one of
the engineers, one of the artillery, and one
of the ordnance, not below the rank of
Lieutenant Colonel, who shall inquire into
the facilities for producing high-power
guns at or near the Pacific coast, nd in the
vicinity of the Rock Island arsenal and at
Indianapolis, and at some point on the
Gulf. and the advisability OF erecting
gun factory at the Benicis arsenal, Califor-
MIA, or at the Rock Island arsenal, or al the
Indianapolis arsenal, or at some point on
the Calf coast. for the purpose of finish.
ing and assembling high power guns 10
be mounted in forii6cstions
1t will be noticed that the Army Board is
empowered to use its discretion in choosing
one of the four sites named. Benicia is
almost certain Of capturing the prize. In
dianapoiis, Rock Island and point on the
Gulf Coast were merely named in order TO
please Bynum, Cannon and the Southern
members Benicia Is regarded by the navy
men as place admirably adapted for such
a place as an ordnance foundry. Both
Indianapolis and Rock Island are out of
the question, as neither have any facilities
for water transportation. The Gulf Coast,
of course, offers better inducements than
either of the inland cities named,
but not any place in the United
States can compare with the Benicia
Barracks. In the opinion of experienced
navy men, the defense of San Francisco,
Puget Sound and San Diego will require
many high-power guns, which can only be
conveniently assembled at Benicia or some
other point on the Pacific coast. II would
be absurd to think of Transporting the i'm
mense guns overland from Indianapolis or
Rock Island. OF course, Mr.. Morrow does
not wish to anticipate the action of the
Army Board appointed to choose a site,
but feels confident that Benicia will be Sc
lec:ea.