New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-29

guns have been separately tested and compare
tive results to rapdity. strength and other quar-
ties Of efficiency largely matters of CONJECTURE
The forthcoming trials will be practical and thorough
and from them n determination as to which Is the
best alarOund gun for military purposes can De
reached. The programme for the competitive tests
was arranged by the Ordnance Board at New-iOrk OF
which Major Clifton Comfy Is president The Hotch
kiss, briggs Schroeder and Seabury guns will GER
tainly enter the contest II Is expected that the
>ponsel gun, which recently withstoOd severe tests at
the Naval Proving Grounds at Indian Head, Will also
be a contestant. Other guns may undergo the trials
20 far only guns OF American invenuOn are NEIL
toned in connection with the trials.
The tests will embrace series OF frings covering
800 rounds to be conducted under the numerous ana
varied conditions OF service necessary to develop the
compara tive merits Of the guns Preliminary TO the
firing the guns to BE- carefully examined by the
board. The number OF parts Of the breech mechan
ISM strength. simplicity and certainty of action are
to be carefully noted special attention Is to be de-
voted to the action Of tue firing pin and extractor
and hfty rounds will be fired for this purpose.
To determine velocity five rounds will be fired
from each and ten rounds are to be hred at looo
yards, one mile AMI 5000 yards for accuracy. Ra-
pdity will be ascertained by the number OF ROUNDS
that be- fired in five seconds, three trials WITH
each gun also by the number Of rounds that can be-
Finally the time required to fire 100 rounds, during
which operation the condition Of the gun as regards
heat and certainty OF action Is To be- carefully
observed. Rapldity with accuracy Is an essential 10
the success OF Il gun, and this will be- determined our
Ing the trials by dring thirty aimed shots ut varying
ranges. During the tests the mechanism OF each gun
is to be exposed uniform blasts of fine dust after
which twenty rounds be fired. This is neces-
sary practical Defective cartridges and others
with excessive charges will be employed to test the
strength Of the breech mechanism Of each gun. WIN
excessive charges the pressires Will gradually III
crease until that Of 5000 pounds to the square inch
is II possible, attained. ADDITIONAL tests thought
necessary by the board as result oil circumstances
doveloned Gurnp the trials may be made. Great
fame and considerable amount OF money await the
victorious gun.
Like secretary Elkins, secretary Lamont believes
in tn. National Guard and is prepared to do all i, III
his power 70 promote Its interests. secretary III
kin, gave the subject Jealous attention during ms
term OF Office and his successor Is no less ehlhl,
,ia,tic. secretary Lamont /, said to nave goou
practical knowledge Of the conditions and needs oi
the National Guard. and is we'll equipped for the
work Of directing matters connected with II; The sea
son of State encampments l. about at hand ana tne
fact directs attention to the National Gnard Gov
ernors of various states having regularly enrolled
are already sendns to the War De Pn thu
militia during coming encampmentS. Wisconsin
has asked that the enre 81 inianTy tS Sa sa,
at Fort smelling be permitted t" ION 'ns nvsrnor
Russell has requested that Major Marcus +. Miller
n Arrry be dGa for d 9G ike wit" tenor ars sx
prcted from the executives Of other states within
r" disposition OF Secretary Lamont is to grant such
requests whenever practicable He IS S,id to realize
the importance Of bringing the Regulars ana STATE .
troop, into closer and more friendly relations. Ony
a short time ago he took occasion to inform his sub
odnates that ne deSirsd hearty cooperation between
the Army and National Guard II Is sald mat me
>.cretarys disposition the matter Is cordially rrc
rocated by members Of the National Guard who r'rog
practical field service The only embarrassing ie,,i
81 Join, .ncampment Is the lack OF money win whrn
one place To another. Where the state camps are TO
be- located reasonably near an Army post the solution
4, simple the movement can b" mad" Nv marches
which in Themselves beneficial "a pTctic" II mas
been suggested that to ryciSr the present system
and have IA. National Guard ~ 10 Army garrl'"hs
would be better for all parties Interested. Inc suS
gest'on T. practical one. ana deserves the earnest
consideration due to IT. mporanf' Wright p Edcer
ton Of the ID Artillery. assistant professor ~
mathematics the Military Academy has resulted IN
mcnt M the War Department. The case Is an unusual
one and involves several Interesting questions OF law
Of professor of mathematics is provided for
the new Army ArEropra,ISn Gl t n tna as"
and having been confirmed 10y The senate" entered
upon the discharge Of his new duties. No dihcni'i',
by the accounting officers Of the Treasury on this
question the second Controller decided that. as III"
Appropriation hill did not 20 into effect untii July l.
the Office did actually exist until that date. ana
that money win which to pay salary TO- an IN
Therefore Lieutenant Edg rton had no official status
lie was ont of the line and not In the stan In Us
dilemma the War Department appealed To the NJ
torney General who has just given conclusive
opinion In the case. . .
me Attorney General takes broad view OF con
ncIing points lie thinks that Lleut'n
tdgerton has not actually resigned his commission
a an officer Of artillery. aud as no one has been nom
mated and confirmed for the vacancy which ms
transfer To the STAFF created he l. still lieutenant
IN the line rhe acceptance Of the Office OF n Stall
professor Of mathematics does not. In the opinion oil
The Attorney General affect his case an Ohcer can
not accept a place which does not exist. For an
| In Ia
ARMY his successor must have been duly nomlnnlel
hy the President and confirmed by the senate: Thi'
view of the case has been accepted by III" war De
part cnt authorities. and II will he In the Pres,
dents power to NIL the position on ana after july
/ n seems likely that Lieutenant Edg"rt'n VIII
to rcnorninatcd. but not without opposition on the pr
Of other, desire the billet For IN" present he
can be retained Of the staff at West Point by
Order of secretary Lamont.