The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-28
Il PACIFIC CDAST GUN Factory.
A Bill Introduced TO Complete Our Western
Ordnance Facilities.

A Bill Introduced 10 Complete Our Western
Ordnance Facilities.
WASHINGTON. Aug. pa bill has been In
troduced into the Senate for the establish
ment. on the Pacific slope. OF n finishing fac
tory for heavy guns. like the one now in opera
tion at West Troy. This measure can only
come up for consideration, OF course after the
financial problem is disposed Of: but its early
introduction is fortunate, as it involves a mat
ter OF value to the coast defence 81 stem.
Careful estimates show that about 25O heavy
guns and moro than that number Of large
calibre mortars arc needed for the forts OF tho
Pacific Tho chief points requiring defence
are San Francisco Puget Sound. the mouth Of
the Colun bia River, and San Diego. Under
the scheme OF the Fertilization Board of 1885
San Francisco would require 10 lU-nch. 4 IA
inch. 20 12-inch. II 1U-inch. and S-inoh
guns. together with 1913 Pinch mortars. But
the l2-inch calibre has been found sufficient
for the penetration, Of the armor of vessels.
siderinG the subject. substituted more l2-inch
guns for the lu.inch and 14;inch: For the
Columbia Rivor II lO-inch and S-inch guns.
with 81 mortars would probably be sufficient.
san Diego Is a com parntively small place. for
which four lo.inch guns would be enough;
But Puget Sound would require about 100
70 E"rtsnee. tho number Of towns on Is shores,
it's proximity to the Bl fish naval base at Is
quimauit There are also some minor points
to be fortified on the Pacific.
1t is possible. OF course to manufacture all
these five hundred guns and mortars at Water
vliet and bethlehem. or elsewhere. and trans
both tho Government and the private gun
plants on tho Atlantic seabohrd have more
nSy o o
that the establishment OF flushing factory on
the Pacific coast would be great gain. Tes-
senate Committee on Coast Defences has
shown that the Pacific rolling mills can cast
large enough for io.inch guns. while with the
establishment OF a Government gun factory
It Bonicia. or elsowhere on the Pacific slore.
as U required ior i3:inch guns. It j. true that
on tho Atlantic coast and the cost OF labor is
also high. But tho policy Of Congress has
@ al o. @e a Ss
even paid higher prices t3ryess"Is BUILT at sIn
Eranfisro than 4. phladslphia or New York.
teriaI. some o! which had to he carried across
The result OF that policy, as everybody
type of naval vessel can he produced. from the
fastest protected cruiser to the heaviest battle
ship. The national importance OF those naval
resources on the Pacific coast 10 inestimable;
and on precisely the same basis rests tho
in tho manutnctmre OF guns. SO lar as the
needs OF It's own defensive works are con,
eerned, Even II the lnGi tS l%un I should should
HON or Midvale in furnishing the rough forR-
ings. that would he no argument against hav-
assembling and finishing the forgngs since
they could h" transported to the Pacific under
Govern ,nent could afford to pay as much
higher price for them in California rs the extra
transportation by rail would represent.
The project Of establishing n Pacific coast
gun factory Is all tho more worthy OF consider
alton now thar any labor which the Govern
ment can furnish in So useful and vital direc-
tion as that Of coast defence will be welcome
to the throngs OF the unemployed.