Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-03
FORTS AND GUNS.
The Coming Estimates Recent Calls and
Bids for Ordinance Material,

Washington, Sept. when Septem
Der comes in, the departments and bu-
reaus have before them the work of
estimates to be laid before Congress
This year, in the army, as last year.
coast defence is at the front, and there
is no reason to doubt that Congress
will be very liberal toward it. as at the
first session. But in order to be sure
of this, it is well for the engineer corps
and the ordnance department TO know
that they have already provided for
the expenditure of all sums hitherto
voted to them.
A big unexpended balance acts some
times like a wet blanket to the fires
of enthusiasm in Congress. and calls
for more money in coast defence have
heretofore been met by pointing out.
that what was already in hand had
not been expended or allotted under
contracts.
So far as the ordnance department is
concerned, its wants are of a routine
character in guns. being limited to
what the WaterVlet factory can turn
out, and this undoubtedly Congress
will grant But if it is able to show
that it has called upon private enter
prise for gun carriages, and has en-
tered into contracts for such carriages
that the last appropriation will allow
it will merit as much more money as
ran be expended for the same purpose
during the coming year If the en-
gineers, too, show splendid record of
new batteries completed or started
between July l and Dec. /. at really
oi,ttS thaN
IF money next winter to expend dur
ing the next fiscal year.
The ordnance department has been
busy since the beginning of the pres
mt fiscal year in getting new material
with the liberal appropriations placed
at its command. This week it calls
or a supply of 36-inch field pieces. OF
)-inch rifles, and of 7-inch mortars. 1t
$ noted that in the recent biddngs for
5000 shrapnel for the 3.2-inch field
pieces and 1000 for the 36-inch, the
lowest bidder the American Ordnance
20. of Washington. was rather closely
ollowed by the United States Proiec-
Tile Co. of Brooklyn. whereas the offers
IF the third bidder the West Point
Foundry Co, were considerably higher
The specifications for powder for the
magazine small arm require it to be
practically smokeless to yield a mean
Velocity Of at least 1860 feet per second
1t 81 feet from the muZZle. with mean
variations not exceeding 20 feet and
with a maximum pressure of IS. GOO
pounds per square inch. 1t must be of
Uniform quality and free from foreign
substances; must stand the moisture
lryness, and cold tests, and, when pull
verified. must for at least 10 minutes
stand Il temperature of $50 to 154 de-
srees Fahrenheit without emitting acid
vapors.
1t must stand friction or shock, must
1ot contain unsafe or unstable ingredi-
nts. must not agglomerate by storage
must not be too friahle under trans
Dortation. must not corrode. or leave
any metallic residue from the action
If heat on the bullet or barrel or any
hard residue in the bore. Finally it
must not need an unduly strong
primer
good many virtues must therefore
g to powder for our new arms, tina
nay be used under the Arizona suns
md among the billiards. Of the Cana
liam border. While dwelling strongly |
m keeping qualities, the requirements
IRE not severe in ballistic properties. !
put with equality in other respects tho |
powder that heats the barrel least will |
We chosen.
The ordnance department, it is I'M |
lerstood, desires that smokeless pow
}er shall be used in the 6-pounder |
apid-iire guns for which bids were re-
entity opened The award under these |
lids viii be for only a few guns. but |
is probable that before nhe end Of |
he pear as many as $50 Of the g. |
founders will be called for. and. be- |
'ides these, machine guns will be pur- |
hased, the Calling being at present |
'egarded with considerable favor.
The Bethlehem Go. at a recent date
rad delivered nine S-inch and 10 10 |
nch guns on its contract for 100 heavy |
,uns, and there is a good prospect Of |
is completing all within the specified |
ime 1t was a happy thought to call |
this auxiliary supply. even though |
the army factory makes its guns so
heaply and 50 well. But the coming |
Onward of these Bethlehem guns also |
Emphasizes the crying need of CARR
gees for them.