The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-29

1ts AavaatsGes and tho Various sites Pro-
posed for II.

SsSS~
posed for II.
WASHINGTON. Aug. PHONE OF the tasks as
signed to the President by Congress at it's
recent session was that OF appointing n Board
Of three army and three navy officers to select
. site for q new ordnance factory on the Pacific
slope. This Board will have to DO constituted
soon IL its report is to be ready for Congress
at the next session. Tho reason for including
navy with army officers on this Board is that
the factory is to be available for furnishing
the batteries Of ships as well as forts. Some
army officers do not relish this prospect OF
sharing the new establishment with the navy.
They urge that the two services have separate
gun factories at West Troy and Washington.
and that the Gun Factory Board Of several
years ago presented cogent reasons for keep
Ing them distinct. They argue that tho guns
used aboard ship arc different from those OF
the land service. md that a divided or Joint
administrative control is not wise.
1t may not be well to insist too strongly on
those objections. The establishment Of the
now gun factory will be opposed under any cir
cumstnnces by come congressman. and ac-
cordingly 1t should have In its favor n large
prospective sphere Of public uses. Again. the
navy is very popular in Congress. so that the
army should be cautious about rejecting this
valuable ally. Finally. tho forts would. in any
case. get the chief use Of tho now factory.
The Washington ordnance yard now finishes
all tho forgings that the bethlehem and Pitts
burGh foundries can furnish. and that the
ships require. The largest calibres likely TO
be needed for cruisers. In the present views OF
naval ordnance. arc the 13-inch. which can
probably be sent with safety by rail to the Pa
clio for the few large ships built there. Hence.
though Congress Is planning u Joint army and
navy factory. the forts would he most con-
cerned with 1t.
Turning to the question OF site. It seems
likely that Benicia will be chosen. Oregon
and Washington dispute with California the
possession OF the factory. and the Chamber OF
Commerce OF Seattle has urged uron Con-
gress these considerations tor establishing 1t
at that point:
aud The he m,n., are easily a%c,s.siDte :. from Seattle IL IA 4 iHr 6s
Puget Sound. aud the establishment of the foundry
isss,s p.Sas.ss: no p, sssn, IND IT, sissss':% 9. ;ae
and the anse.a ptsaast. rS Ds' Moss Hay COMPANY. a
s s..t'p pisn E." on na ssi M1; sa5I'SS has is e .irs.ay st s1s, spent.
en- mniSe VIII, Hls q. G9mpl 5 sa,, wi,hin ,n " ysnTi a Ee pIsse
%ssh phlsei t s"" ne Sove ! iu,a"' foundry lSias'0A ." I'-'
But it is doubtful whether the possibilities
OF producing pig iron in Oregon and Washing
ton will form an important element in the SO.
part OF the manufactured guns would be used
at and near San Francisco. In fact. the only
paints o Of much n, GSS o1I,e1uia n,d for Pn barber Spu md
It is not a vital objection that the rough! ,forg-
hood OF San Francisco tor finishing and Assem-.
bling there: and. indeed, the establishment OF
ss S%n u ,as,ory tho On a sbH ty' tn p SSas. a0t the a0 steel tee
there. The, argument, for Benicia was pre-;
ssenied * Senator Felton, | 1T a hearing ;n r s held
Committee on Coast Defences. The town is at
the head Of KaraaiEes Straits. a deep channel
sse alsaH. L Is isG sb SSys t Fl san niles trsp Sssend the the
range q guns carried BY q hostile fleet. sup
p pos iazu that the the 4. d1s% sr Of San F fS mnS0, aFe
ranges. Vessels Of deep draught reach its
wharves, and the. railroad connections are
Proximity t. Saa Trapcisco pids i il proeSHT;
ing SGsn s sIrssdv and has u nnanl hsar iHoG f%rpa Sas
However. the question Of site will be care
Benlcia and Seattle. the claims Of the mouth
OF the Columbia for this purpose have been
army Officers was appointed to examine this
subject, in connection with possible sites in
the Mississippi Valley and on the Gull coast:
the Pacific coast: but since Benieia was spe.
cially indicated for them to examine. they did
that coast. SO that tiis new Board has this duty
to perform.
whatever site may be selected. rests upon the
great number OF guns and mortRrs needed for
vliet unaided to supply them. except after a
great many years. o course assistance will be
mortars to be. made under private contract:
but as the total number Of guns ultimately to
be- required on the Pacific coast is estimated
abundant field for a new factory there. There
are also certain military advantages in having
Thorn situated on the Pacific coast. The cost OF
labor and Of fuel on that coast are great draw
backs to ths present plan; but may be offset
ing tho finished guns by rail across the con-
tinent.