New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-18
NEWS OF ARMY AND NAVY.
SECRETARY LAMONT MAKES AN UNFOKrU-
NATE SUGGESTION.
STRONG OBJECTIONS TO STRENGTHENING TIE
ARTILLERY At THE EXPENSE OF THE
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIprXr.l


fBY TELEGRAPH THE TEIPuNE.I
Washington. Dec. 1.-THE radical suggestions
contained In the annual report or secretary La
mont looking to the conversion OF n number OF
infantry organizations to the artillery branch mas
seriously alarmed officers and men belonging TO
these two arms Of the military service. The prac-
IDEAL Endorsement Of the Secretarys proposition by
the President in his message Congress has tend
ed to increase the apprehension or the commas
stoned and enlisted force who would DC affected by
the change. Cavairymen arc also somewhat alarmed
al the Secretary's suggestions. While the present
proposition does not contemplate i change in their
status they fear that II Secretary Lamont Cor
rec,ly states the needs of the Army and the coun-
try a transfer to tho artillery Of part OF their
strength would follow in the future as a logical
consequence.
Apparently the Secretary realizes that he has
committed a grave error In proposing radical
changes the present organization OF the Army
which Grant. Sherman. Sheridan and other great
generals determined to be the wisest and best as
peace nucleus for the country Several OF the Sec
retarys apologsts at the War Department noE
say that 1t was not intended to increase the arth
ery and decreasc the infantry to any great extent
and that the slight change contemplated was
not TO be carried out at present. These friends OF
the Secretary go further and say that rs the
coast defences at which the proposed additional
number of artilerymen TO be stationed are
not yet completed. II may be that when they are
ready for an increased force the temper OF Con-
gress may have improved to such an extent as 70
Warrant the hope that the appropriations Will be
Increased sufficiently for the object in view with
out making a reduction In tho infantry necessary.
War Department officials say positively that the
Secretary will submit TO the present Congress no
recommendations on the subject.
INQUIRY among members OF the Senate and House
Committees on Military Affairs shows that n scheme
10 increase the strength OF any arm OF the service
at the expense OF another will not be received
with favor There is strong opposition to any such
policy" said Senator Hawley 1T is robolng Peter
TO bay Paul. when Peter himself is in distress"
Senator Hawley believes that the wise course to
pursue is to increase the strength and efficiency
OF the artillery by adding TO II. Independently OF
the strength OF other OF the service. two new
regiments Senator Wsthail. the chairman Of the
Senate Committee and Senator Henderson also
look with disfavor upon the secreiarys scheme
OF Army reorganization. TIE proposition aIpears
TO have no friends In the House committee Cnahr-
tary mistake. he says II would work an act OF In
Justice TO officers OF both arms.
In a few days there will be held at the Indian
Head proving grounds series OF interesting tests
OF naval ordnance material The tests Will Include
trials Of armor OF M novel hnTSi syn ana of
Mason. OF the Navy, in command at Indian Head
chef of fAs the Bureau Of
day Of the trials Of the Hurst inventions many
to witness the performances OF the gun and pro-
jectile for which so much Ia claimed IN the way
tests viii be notable as being the nrs, experiments
with plates which were rejected on account or de-
ton at the works Two plates viii be fred at
One represents the seyen-!nch side srmor Of ihe
Terror. 1t was rejected on account OF having blow
holes The other plate was intended az piece OF
rejected for failure TO develop the REQUIRED quail.
ties OF elongaton. Both plates were made by
Trials of he pstes were demandcG BY the car
neges under the provisions OF their contract which
nan n to be nred at under The usual cond
lions. Should the plates pass the firing ies,s he |
case Of their purchaae they would be used at Indian
Head for experiments should the plates fan N |
the the trial. rial viii fa upon the manufacturers
The Hurst gun m and PGsse are bo .S'f hsr
a. special appropriation by congre's TIE gun Is |
It is hf,y calibres long or ten cahres longer than
the high,powered service guns: In ihe proi.ctlIe
others in use in both form and construction. The |
head Of the proisce pT9g.r aFsrr d han tne
while the diameter OF the latter IA only two inches.
1t is not unlike "A round-pointed spade or shovel |
bn s1 is head snS aDd Se handle the The tail
Il nclosed in two esseS both Of Which soniain
It extends toward the head about two-thirds OF tho
length OF the shell The order case Is o. Srass and
shell 10 which II II made fast. Al the end OF the
shell is further small compartment containing
inclose separate charges.
When hred the rear charge II nrst lgnitcI- Then |
follows explosion OF the powder In the outer |
case succeeded almost instantly by freedom OF |
the gases In the powder within the steel Thus
the charges OF powder burn In succession start
ing the projectile gradually and making the poin, |
OF greatest pre- ssure at a distance from the seat |
OF shock II is claimed for the projectle that II |
will burn 2co pounds OF powder before the shot |
get out OF the gun The charge OF powder burned |
81 service shell during its hlght from brcech 10
uzze Is only ~ pounds n, e n ccoDd sSou q the
Hurst projecte prove practical success. its
Iocity would be about 300 feet per second or
more than Jcc-foot seconds greater than any heavy