The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-30

structiou, at n cost OF $97, 49, 800, excluding
S2S, 600 for floating batteries. BY an
immediate appropriation at that time OF
81 s0s.0oo and an annual appropriation OF
81 900 900 thereafter, as then recommended.
the system OF land defences could have
been completed in l>eo.
The original plan contemplated an ex-
penditure OF $g7, 500 by the end OF the
present year The actual expenditures
and appropriations for armament and en-
placements have however. been but SiO,-
63l 900. The first appropriation for guns
was made only seven years ago, ana the
nrst appropriation for emplacemen;s was
made only five years ago. The average
annual appropriations for these two OBJ
iects mas been less than Sl,Oo0V. The
work has, therefore. been conducted at
about one-seventh the rate proposed.
FUTURE APPROPRIATIONS.
III future appropriations for the manu-
facture of guns. mortars, and carriages
De no larger than the average authorized
for the purpose since lsss, 1t Will require
twenty-five years more TO supply the ar
mament of the eighteen important ports
for which complete projects are approved.
If the appropriations for the engineer
work are to continue at the rate OF the
annual appropriations since 1880, IL VIII
require seventy years to complete the
emplacements and platforms for this ar
mament for the ports referred to.
Thus the various factors In the scheme
Of defence have now been SO accurately
determined that for the first time IL IL
possible 10 forecast from what has been
accomplished the time and expense re-
quircd 10 complete the project with eN-
isting facilities. We have established and
equipped a gun factory able to turn out
yearly 81 guns OF the types required, or
enough 20 arm the Is ports enumerated
within ten years. it Is complete except
as TO the provisions for finishing and
assembling l6-inch guns, the eXpediency OF
which Is still questioned. We have, more
over, by contract. contributed toward the
establishment of private plant TOR the
manufacture OF guns, which IN time WIN
be able to meet any unusual demand tnat
I could not be supplied by the NaterVhet
gun factory.
I'VE have established a plant for the
manufacture Of gun carriages, which,
with the aid OF private establishments.
can supply the carriages required az
rapidly as emplacements for guns anu
mortars are completed. The development
of a satisfactory type or 2-inch dlsap-
pearing gun carriage Is alone lacking IN
the mechanism OF coast defence, ana
without doubt American Ingenuity Will
soon supply that desired feature
nut at only three of the eighteen ports
under consideration have completed fea-
lures of defeuce been established. New
York has two l2-inch guns and sixteen u
inch mortars: San Francisco has one IL
inch gun and sixteen lZ-inch mortars,
and Boston has sixteen Pinch mortars IN
position.
AN ARLINGTON MEMORIAL BRIDGE.
Improved means OF communication be-
tween Washington and the Virginia shore
must very soon be provided. Another
bridge Is not only a conceded necessity %
the population OF both sides Of the Poto,,
mac and as an approach 10 the National
Cemetery at Arlington, but also as q
military convenience TO bring the prlncl-
pal garrison Of the national capital within
easy reach of its streets and public build-
I inRs.
Twice have submitted the suggestion
that such a structure can easily be made
the most impressive OF the worlds memo
rials 10 heroism. The natural advantages
OF the site are unsurpassed. The region
is associated with war as no other region
Of our country. and the site - distinctly
national Such a memorial bridge, orna'
mented with statues of our greatest war
riors. with sympOlcal figures OF the stronl
qualities that warfare brings into play,
and with representations OF the crucial
events in national history, would be the
same Incompatible memorial 10 the great
ness of a peaceful people aroused py wal
as our single shaft 10 Washington rs th'
worthiest monument 10 individual great
moss which human genius has Yet exc
cuted. IN h not proposed that the EN-
belllshment OF the bridge shall now b'
provided for but II Is urged that It's uiti
mate memorial character shall be con
siderei I'm the first designs ana earliest
| apprOpriatiOns.'