The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-11-28
BRINGING THE GOLD
HOW THE SCHEME TO REPLENIsH
THE TREASURY Is ACTING.

Thousand DOlars ana Other Citles ne
port Smaller Acknowledgements of the
United States Chief of Ordinance on the
Organizing and Equipping of the Mill
da-work OF the Autograph Fiend In
the Departments-washin News
Washington, Nov. 27.-The treasury
gold reserve has already began 70 feel
the effects Of the recent order or the de-
partment directing that express charg-
es be paid ON all gold received at the
sub-trea suries and also upon the cur
rency returned in exchange therefor.
Thea. ssistant treasurer at Philadel-
phia reports the receipt Of 100000 in
gold and smaller amounts are reported
from other sub-treasuries. Several
amounts were turned into the treasury
here today, the largest being $3.50.
ORDNANCE CHIEF REPORTS.
The most important subject treated
by General Flagler, chief Of ordnance
IN his annual report to the secretary OF
war, is the mode OF reforming and
equipping the militia OF the United
States He calls attention to the insult
-f1cent appropriations annually made
'or this purpose and suggests that in
The event that congress does not provide
literally for this important branch OF
he coIrntry's defense, it at least should
make certain changes IN the present law
with the object Of permitting the ord
nance bureau to replace the Old arms
row IN use with weapons Of serviceable
type and uniform character. Some Of
-
ent arrangements be made effective for
exchange in favor Of the new magazine
rife. and General F1agler shows that 1t
would cost about a million dollars to
make this change in the new rife which
while we'll suited for long range ser
vice, is not 50 well adapted TO close
range and hard service as the SPRING
fed rifle. His conclusion is that II
would be better to retain the Spring
fed gun at present, during times OF
peace while If war should break out
the we'll drilled militia could in two
weeks time familiariZe themselves with
the magazine gun. Meanwhile It should
be the policy of the government to ac-
cuni- ate considerable supply Of these
new guns in the armories for use in an
emergency.
He suggests that ne be authorized 20
credit the states with the actual value
OF unserviceable, obsolete and worn out
stores turned in: TO issue to the states
such Springfield arms in exchange for
other types as they may have in use,
and that the states be authorized to
purchase most of the United States
arms and equipments Of regulation
types at cost prices.
ORDNANCE TESTS.
The ordnance department has con-
Quoted some tests of the greatest i'm
portaure during the year relating to
The properties of metals and building of |
materials.
For instance. II has been shown that |
no quality of steel can be obtained that |
viii endure a strain Of more than $4,000 |
pounds per square inch without ruptur- |
Ing. when tested as loading revolving |
shaft, as ordinarily used In all me- !
chanicai appliances.
The magazine rifles will now be turn
ed out at the rate of 100 per day. but |
General Flagler asks for an eppropria- |
ton to extend the capacity OF the pres
emit plant TO $50 per day.
All branches of the service but the |
cavalry have been issued new rifles, and /
the carblnes for the latter will soon be /
ready for issue
Considerable delay in turning out the |
new armor resulted from the difficulty |
In obtaining a proper quality of steel
for the barrels. but it is believed that |
results can now be had |
with nickel stock which dealers under |
take to produce in suitable quantities |
and good quality. The question of how
the calibre of rifle may reduced with |
benefit is still open to experiment.
Satisfactory assurances are given
that at last a good quality of smokeless
powder has been produced for the small /
arms. and it is said that the industry
has now so developed that all of this
powder required for war use can be
produced by American manufacturers.
The Improvement of powder for large
arms has not. however, kept pace with
the development of the guns and an
expert officer has been charged with a
special duty Of the subject at the pow
der mills where the manufacturers are
lending him all help possible in his re
searches. Because Of the difficulties
and dangers of transporting powder 10
the Pacific coast. the department has
been making efforts with great success
to develop the facilities for its manufac-
ture on the ocast
The CT-0Z!er wire wound gun made at
enc of the aTnories has made an admf-
rable record in power and endurance
and General Flagler has submitted es-
Inmates for tine manufacture of a limit
ed number of these wire guns during the
next year.
a strong argument Is made in favor Of
the construction OF a sixteen-inch gun
General Flagler. showing that with the
Increase of armor upon ships. the
twelve inch gun can be successfully re-
sisted, while one with a sixteen-inch
7not would sink any vessel.
HOKE SMITH DECLINES.
Secretary Smith today declined for
he present TO approve the segregation
# 2S.969 acres OF land in Wyoming Sc
ec.aed by the state. under the Carey act
Tor the reclamation Of arid lands. The
action is taken pending an investigation
y the character of the lands and an ex-
animation by government agent
which has been ordered. \ protest has
,een filed at the department by STATE
senator Foote. alleging that these Sc
ections aren OF desert lands.
AUTOGRAPH FIENDS.
Washington, Nov 27.-A wholesale
throughout the executive
as to stamp thefts has re-
suited in finding even worse conditions
han were first discovered in the treas
Iry. Another element has crept into
he situation. as ID is learned that auto
graph fiends. too, have been al work
among the files. This vandalism so |
lar as is yet known. seems 10 have been
oracticed principally in the interior de-
1artment In an investigation OF Sc
ret service men IL has been discovered |
hat signatures Of great men long since
lead, especially presidents Of the Unit
a States. were affixed to papers in the
and office. Some % these were ac-
,ordingly examined. with the result
hat scores OF autographs have been
olrn5 - he missing from, then,