The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-04

suited satisfactorily, and it is said that with
In q very short time the use of gunpowder
Will be entirely abandon ed in the calbers
Oh SIX inch and below 1t, being replaced by
some one OF the numerous forms Of so-called
smokeless powder.
ADVANTAGES OF SMoKELEss POWDER.
An order for $4,000 pounds of guncotton,
the pest known high explosive for naval use,
mas been placed with the Dup0nts on condi-
tlon That complete plant be erected. After
describing the successful trial. of ''emmen-
site the report Gays: 1t is the bureaus in
tentlon to recommend the adoption of rel
atively short gun of large caliber using
powder as the propulsive charge and firing
pro]ectile containing charge of emmensite
or guncotton for feature Of the armament
OF vessels, with the view of utilizing an
aerial submarine torpedo effect at ranges in
which the question of the accuracy of fire is
absolutely eliminated. The experience of
European countries is said to be conclusive
as to tue merits Of the new small caliber
smokeess powder rifle, and the navy is only
waiting tine action of the Army Board to
arm the sailors with the new small arms.
NEW SUBMARINE GUNS.
The bureau inclines to the belief that the
submarine guns, now approaching compile
tlon, Will prove valuable and important
adjunct TO our defensive armament. particu-
larry when mounted on vessels intended es-
pecially for ramming. 1t seems probable
thht tHo VI u ram DtlUR dUlb 10
reach her antagonist with destructive effect
Will be quadrupled by the addition Of this
weapon TO her means of offense
NEW NICKEL STEEL ARMoR.
Under the head of armor, it was stated
that negotiations are in progress to cause
plate to be delivered by the Bethlehem Com
pany for double turret monitors. The armor
OF the Maine and Texas is to be of nickel
steel, and the armor ordered from Carnegie
is TO be of the same material. the depart
ment supplying the nickel, 600 tons of ore
being purchased last year. 1t is said that
the Vesuvius' dynamite guns are unsatis-
factory, and 1t is recommended that she be
turned into torpedo cruiser With view
to utilizing the old single turret monitors
now in the James River, plans have Eeen
prepared for new turrets and modern eight
or ten inch rifles for them.
A long account is given of the armor tests
in the ast year and the results are summed
up: The results furnished by the nickel
steel plate treated by the Harvey process,
manufactured by the Bethlehem Iron Com
pany, were most remarkable. 1t is unlikely
that TWO of the shots obtained more than
three inches eff penetration. The points of
none of the projectiles reached the rear sur
face Of the plates. At the back of the plate
opposite the two impacts mentioned above
the effects were nil, there being no rupture
of the surface and no bulge of greater
heighth than perhaps one-quarter of an
inch. The cracking on the softer side Of the
plate was uuimpOrtant
THE RESULTS ACHIEVED.
In conclusion the bureau considers that
two impoi mt results have been achieved.
First, better plate of American manufac-
ture has been produced than the department
was able TO purchase abroad year ago;
secondly, it has developed new principle
in the manufacture OF Rrmor of the Ameri-
cans or which there are good grounds for
believing will furnish greater protection to
hlA 70 nj oil nj thntn
other system hitherto employed. further
notable advantage has been developed by
the above tests, the importance of which to
the United States at this iuncture will be
easily appreciated. 1t has been definitely
established that armor OF au excellent quail
ity may lie produced by the rolling pro-
cess, and that forging by means of a
hammer Is not absolutely necessary, a
matter regarding which many grave
doubts had existed among the artilleTists
for years. 1t is probable that within eigh-
teen months, with relatively light ex-
penditnre, the present producing capacity
of the United States could be Quadrupled
in case such expansion should become
necessary. The price at present paid
should be materially reduced for the same
reasons, native competition and lack of the
necessity of extraordinary changes in or ad-
djtiOns to the plant
In connection with the subject of trans
porting overland heavy guns the report
SblbliEly ulECo 6SldUlloDHcub VI d Id
tional gun factory on the Pacific Coast SINH
lar to that in Washington.
LAND CASES DECIDED.
In the case of the United States against
James Miles, involving presumption cash
entity in the San Francisco Land District of
California, the Commissioners decision is
affirmed; in the case Of the United States
against Frederick Mcfarland and James
NJ. Sreeter, involving land in Humboldt
District Of California. the Commissioners
decision is affirmed; in the case OF Egit
Arakellan against the Southern Pacific
Company, involving land in the Visalia
District of California, A rakelian's appeal is
dismissed.
TREASURY DECISION.
In reply to an inquiry the Treasury De-
partment has informed a Philadelphia firm
that the department holds that imported
black plates dipped in this country for the
purpose of making tin and terne plates are
included within Paragraph 143 of Schedule
OF the Tariff Act. Black plates rolled from
imported bars or billetS should be similarly
classified. There is no provision in the law
restricting manufacturers to the use of
American tin.
INCREASE OF LAND PATENTI
During four and half days of last week
the General Land Office issued 4252 land
patents. This is the highest record ever
made by the office. There has now been
approved for patent $50 mineral entries in
of clerks has been detailed to write these
patents, so within ninety days it is expected
the whole number will be in the hands of
the entrymen.
SECRETARY FOSTERS ILLNESS
Secretary Foster was able to sit up for
several hours to-day, but he is still too weak
to leave his room. Surgeon Hamilton Of
the Marine HOspit al, In charge of the case,
says the Secretary is out of danger, but in
ss.s that he be Kept perfectly quiet. as re-
lapse might come from any OvereXertl0D.
If his patient keeps on improving the doctor
may let him start South by the latter part
of next week.
REPORT OF IRREGULARITIES.
Acting Commissioner OF Internal Revenue
Wilson received the report Of the agent who
investigated the charges of irregularities in
the office of Internal Revenue Collector
| Warmcastle of the Pitts sourg district. but
refuses, in the absence of the Commissioner,
to say anything about it or take any action
i'll the case.
PosTMAsTERs APPOINTED.
The Postmasters commissioned to-day
were: jeremiah j. Johnson, at Ben Lo-
mond, CAL; Charles Ellis. at C9ur, Cal.
Mary E. Bullard, at DaviSville, and Ben
Elliott at Fsk's Mill, Cal.
The Postoff1ce at Oakdale, Cal, will be
raised to the Presidential class on January
l, 1892
SECRETARY PROCTOR TO RETIRE.
StcTeidiy ITOctOT expects 10 sever his
connection with the War Department to-
morrow evening or Saturday. His resigna-
ton has been in the Presidents hands since
| November Sd and will take effect at the
! ecretary's pleasure.
INDIAN OUTBREAKS DENIED.
| A telegram was received at the War De-
parment to-day from General Brooks say
| ing that there had been no Indian disturb
| ances as far as he was able to learn, and the
| Coroner's inquest in the case of Mechanic
showed that he was killed by white men.
| LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
The leave of absence granted First Lieu
| tenant Frederick w. Sibly, Adjutant
Twenty second Cavalry, Department o.
Arizona, is extended three months.
THE BOSTON IN THE SOUTH.
The United States steam er Boston arrived
| at Montevideo yesterday.
| CONDENSED TELEGRAMS