The San Francisco call., 1896-02-17
No Probability of Their Re.Em-
ployment Before the Begin.
ming Of July.
THE MoNADNoCK IS COMPLETED.
Will Go Into Commission at Once.
The Junkmen Surprised-Mis.
cellaneous Notes.


struction and repair, ana the coming week
many more will meet similar fate. 1t is
even stated that the entire number by
February % will reach nearly 500 men.
The outlook is not cheering for them to
again resume work until after the fiscal
year, beginning July next, the bnlk of
the money having become exhausted and
the com pletion of the Monadnock being
given out as the cause. To enable the
monitor to be completed by Saturday
night the men have been working both
day and night. Her crew being here, she
will go into commission the 10th instant,
and will be ready for actual service shortly
after.
The homeward bound men from the
Baltimore left for New York on the 18th
by the Sunset route. This route was
selected by the chief of the bureau of
navigation, Admiral Ramsay, on account
of the climatic conditions.
No matter which route was selected the
Government would be obliged to pay for
their transportation. as in the transporta-
ton of men over the Southern Pacific and
Union Pacific roads the act of Congress
does not specify that the naval branch of
the service shall be SO carried and their
transportation credited against the ac-
count Of the roads. 1t only refers to
troops" meaning the army. Before the
order was issued to send the men by the
Sunset route Admiral Ramsay procured
ruling on this pointer at least so it is
given out here by competent authority.
At o'clock Monday the flag of the Bal
timore will be lowered and the white
cruiser will go out of commission. All of
her stores have been taken ashore and the
crew, such as desire to remain on the
coast have been paid off. A number of
her officers will leave Immediately for the
East on leave of absence for three months,
which means season Of rest, recreation
and home enjoyments, which to sea-
faring man after a two or three years
cruise in foreign waters is always looked
forward to with sense of delight.
Even those who are stationed at Mare
Island, with all its pleasant features, look
forward to the time for their return to
Washington and Eastern points to again in
dulge in season of gayety. To them this
station is looked upon as being what is
termed ''foreign station" as it is so far
located from the seat of Government.
Those, howe yer, who have been on the
'slope' for years desire to remain. as they
find many charms not to be found else
where.
The hills where much hay and grain at
times are raised now look green and re-
freshing to the eye after the rains, and the
outlook is good for boun.iful yield. This
kelps to weather the stock-horses owned
by the Government and helps to pay for
the cultivation of the farming lands, en-
bracing many hundreds of acres.
On the 18th and 18th sealed bids for con-
demned property were opened at the pay
masters office in the presence of scores of
men of almost all nationalities who
gathered to see what they won among the
hundred or more bidders from all sections
of the Union. The prices varied as much
if not more than the nationalities. An
article that one thought by his BID to be
not worth more than two bits ranged to
$40 or $780, The prices exceeded by far that
of two years ago, the cash deposits being
more than $4,000. 1t will be month be-
fore the old junk is removed from the
ward and the accounts closed.
The old stores turned in and to be con-
demned from the Baltimore will of them
selves form the nucleus for another sale
next year.
The Swatara has been hauled under the
crane to have her boilers and engines
hoisted out to get her in readiness for dis
posal in the same fashion under sealed
bids.
The machine-sbop of the yards and
docks is gradually becoming more COM
plete by the addition OF machinery from
the department of equipment. This is as it
should be, as work is continually under
way in the department, and it has never
been provided with the necessary amount
of machinery owing to lack of funds at the
bureaus disposal for purchase of the
same.
Considerable strife is manifested for the
purchase of the ferry franchise from Val
leio to Mare Island, Over $4,000 will
likely be given the city Tor the privilege of
operating the system for the next twenty
years.
1t looks as though an appropriation will
be made for improvement of the water
front and to build seawall from the old
Monadnock wharf to South Vallejo on
what is known as the phelps line" If
this work is accomplished it will be saw
ing to the Government in the matter of
dredging expenses, which is no small sum,
and keep the channel clear at all times.
Much astonishment was expressed.
though it was in everybody's mouth, that
the matter of the rejection of a lot of pork
barrels, while the contents were found to
be coed, should reach the public
ear through the medium of the press.
Still. in nice, quiet little nook under the
shade of great big hill, the work of re-
packing goes steadily on and better lot
of barrels are being used.
The inspection board has considerable
work to do in seeing that the Government
is not imposed upon by unscrupulous deal
ers, though, to their credit and honor, the
great majority of California dealers furnish
their goods up to the standard.
Requisitions for supplies for the next
fiscal year will soon be made out and trans
mitted to Washington for approval, then