The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-22
7HE GUAs AND THE FORTS
The Provi-ious that Have been Made for
Them ut the rres-pt Session.

shem nt Sne Freerpt SESSION.
WASHINGTON. July 21.-The prolonged study
and discussion OF the Fortiflcatons bill has
resulted in the agreement OF Congress on
measure crcditable to that body and to the
country. The work OF coast defence will be
continued with the encouraging vigor that
has marked tho last few years. The appro-
priation now made for this purpose is moder-
ate, and yet more liberal than II may at first
seem. 1t amounts directly to s2.734.270; but
1t authorizes tho Secretary OF War to purchase
or manufacture additional war material to tho
extent OF S1.118.0OO. so that an aggregate
provision OF s3.91O.S70 is really made under
this bill. or late 1t has become apparent that
properly adjusted annual appropriation OF
about s4.00O.O00 will keep we'll at work the
existing facilities OF the country. public and
private. for making the best heavy ordnance,
which Ia the true basis OF legislation.
one OF the points OF discussion concern ed
the sites Tor now forts and the emplacsments
Tor new guns and mortars. Last year S750.OOO
was set apart for the former and $500, 600 for
the latter object The House. however. found
this year that there wero unexpended bal
ances under each item. and to each. accord
ingly. voted $25O.000 less than last year. The
Senate restored this $250.OOO to each. and in
the resulting conference tho House agreed to
the Senate's view regarding tho sites, while
the Senate let the House have its way about
the emplacements The reason for this
compromise is doubtless to DO found In the
fact that the procuring Of the sites comes first
In order. and as the natural features OF a har-
Dor or shore line show where batteries must
be put the land needed for them should be
acquired rs soon as possible since prices rise
with delay. 1t is even not desirable to force
the engineers to explain exactly what sites
they are after. On the other hand. there is
rather less need Of hurry in erecting gun and
mortar batteries. because. in an emergency,
some sort OF emplacoments could quickly be
provided for the guns by employing Thousands
OF men In constructing earthworks.
The guns Themselves. however must be be-
gun years ahead. as 1t takes so long to make
them; and in this matter Congress showed
good judgment BY liberal appropriations. Per-
sss sI hi and Ses S aS
fully tested and adopted; Certainly it has
important items Of the estimates. which the
ordnance officers were very DESTROYS to get
'SE H. for hs ss
The bill sisq deSotes 100000 to making p.
irons hoped WITH sss aaSous
tie for rs s nSs r ss Ss
at frst been contemplated. It has made
needed provisions for the proving ground ant
ment Of a gun factory on the Pacific coast ha,
not been authorized. the FIRST steps in that di
| rection have been taken by the appolntrn en-
| OF Board to determine the best site for such
| a factory.
An interesting feature OF this years study o
| the coast deferces by Congress h as been the
| evidence 1t has furnished that the plans OF
| this subject are now fully motured. The gen.
| eral estimate looks to furnishing 700 guns ant
! 800 mortars for complete defence: but tina
includes the independent protection OF al
ports. great and small. which an enemy could
conceivably attack. Within a period Of lest
| than twelve months from to-day there will bt
mounted. or ready for mounting. and available
| for defense at the chief ports. 100 heavy guns
| and mortars OF the host modern tyres, while
the work on another hundred will be far ad
vanced. Taking together with this fact tn.
| supply OF floating defences in the monitors
and battleships. 1t can fairly be said that thu
appeal to Congress which formed the las
been answered. and that the COASTS Of Thu
country are no longer wholly defenceless-