The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-28
A BLOW AT BENICIA,
Efforts Being Mide 10 Change the Place Of
The New Gun Foundry.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27-The action of
Mitchell in calling on the Secretary of War
for all memorials, petitions and other docu-
ments from Pacific Coast Boards of Trade.
etc., concerning the facilities for producing
steel forges for big guns on the Pacific
Cua>t. created suspicion that Oregon would
attempt to cheat Benicia out of her proposed
gun foundry. This suspicion was well
grounded. Senator DoIph has reported an
amendment to the Notifications Bill appro-
priating 100000 for the erection of suitable
buildings, purchase of machinery. etc. for
an assembling foundry at some point on or
near the Pacific Coast and authorizing the an
polntment OF new board of army and navy
officers to select a site for the same. Ma
money Is to be expended for the foundry nm
III the site is approved by the President.
The amendment appropriates 5000 for fine
expenses OF the board.
Senator Dolph was seen by a California
Associated Press representative to-day.
who asked the Senator: | see Won have
introduced an amendment providing for the
appointment OF board to select site for
an ordnance foundry at some point on or
near the Pacific Coast. 1t seems to be un-
derstOod out there that an army board an
pointed for that purpose has selected BENZ
ella, and submitted estimates of the REQUIRED
appropriations"
DtudIUI DOlpH MY amendment is
identical with the bill reported from the
Committee on Coast Defenses last session.
My report was made after our committee
had examined numerous experts including
General Bent, Chief of Ordnance, General
Miles and other army officers. 1t was after
ward offered as an amendment 10 the Army
Appropriation Bill"
But the Notifications Bill as finally
passed restricted the location on the Pacific
Coast to Benicia. didn't it?" the CORES
pendent suggested.
That was the Interpretation put upon it
by the Army Board" said Senator Dolph.
But it must be understood that the action
OF this Army B ard is not final. Con-
gress can establish its foundry where it
pleases."
Senator Mitchelps resolution requesting
information from the Secretary of War con-
corning steel forgingS was laid on the table
In the Senate to-day at MitchelPS request,
1t being understood that the Army Board 5
report on steel forgngs, which was sub
mltted yesterday will come from the public
printer tomorrow aud be laid before each
Senator. Between the Oregon Senator'S
the Watervliet arsenal and lobbyists repre-
sentlng certain large iron firms, Benica
stands In danger OF losing her prize.
1t Will be remembered that the Army
Board submitted its report on the gun
foundry site just one day after the passage
by the House oil the Notifications Bill, thus
preventing the incorporation of an appro-
prlatlon to commence work at Benicia. But
this last report on steel forging was pre-
scented on the very day that the F0rtifica-
lions Bill was presented to the Senate.
giving Senator Dolph good time to
| get in his report appropriating $780,
900 for establishment of az nun
foundry at some point on the Pdcific
Coast, and appointing new COM
mission to select new site. 1t is proba-
BILE that Senator Dolph will he successful in
having the amendment passed by the
Senate. II will then go back to the House
and the California representatives will fight
hard against Dolph's amendment.
When the last Notifications Bill was
passed, Morrow in the Appropriations Com
mittee restricted the location of the gun
foundry on the Pacific Coast to Benicia,
and when it reached the Senate it was
amended to read simply, some point on the
Pacific Coast" When the bill went back TO
the House again, Morrow, by hard work,
succeeded in having his former clause re-
stored. 1t is probable he will be successful
a second time, but it is by no means GER
tain