Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-03-10
INouIRING ABOUT WAR SUPPLIES.
Secretaries of War and Navy Departments
Hold significant Conferences.

Washington, March 10.-Secretary
Alger spent some time today in con-
sultation with President Lindermann,
Vice President Davenport and Mr..
Meigs, of the Bethlehem company,
which has n contract for supplying 100
heavy rifles for coast defense. Many
of these have been delivered already
and the secretarys purpose In inviting
the representatives of the company to
meet him was to ascertain the extent
of their resources in case of emergency
and to induce them to press the work in
their hands with all diligence In both
undertakings the secretary was sue
cessful.
While this conference was in progress
at the war department, Secretary Long
was engaged in an earnest consulta-
ton with President Griscom. OF the
American line OF steamers. Mr.. Girls
com has Just returned from Florida
and had stopped here on his way to
Philadelphia for the purpose of meeting
Secretary Long. presumably to inform
the department what can be done in the
way OF converting the vessels of the
American line into auxiliary cruisers
for tho navy under the terms OF the
subsidy act in case they are needed.
In the case OF the finest steamers Of
this line, the department has already
provided itself with full Information
as to all technical points. such as
the Ahlllty 10 curry gums, Wdr SlpIts
and such matters, so that what Is
wanted Of Mr. Gl1scom probably Is
Information as to when the vessels can
he had, their sailing schedules and such
points.
A good many cable mes .ges were
received at the navy department 1t
was said that there was not among
them any word from the court OF In
quiry or from Admiral Sicard, but that
they We're almost altogether messages
from United states naval attaches
abroad relative to warships under con-
structiun and subject to purchase in
countries in which they are needed For
obvious and prudential reasons, the
department is not giving publicity at
this stare to any OF these dispatches.
The navy department is renewing Its
effort to secure the enlistment of ma
chinists. and to this end Commander
Hawley. Chief Engineer Webster and
a surgeon yet to he selected have been
appointed hoard to make special eff
fort To secure recruits IN the middle and
southern west. Going first to Cleveland. |
Ohio the board will work on southwark |
to Mobile and New orleans. possibly !
going as far westward as Galveston. |
Machinists arc pretty well paid as
naval snlarles 20. the lowest grade |
receiving $40 month while chief ma |
chinists in charge Of engine room |
watches are paid $40 In both cnses |
there is an allowance of rations, cloth |
ing and other supplies that, taken in |
connection with the salary, makes the |
places rather desirable.
This being diplomatic day In the |
state department, II would he a mat |
tor Of note in ordinary times to SEE |
the British ambassador among the |
callers upon the secretary of state and |
Judge Day, as he was today, But In |
view OF the publications Of late touch |
t,,, aittoprar hatNypan tho limited Stntne |
and Great Britain and the reported |
British refusal to allow us to purchase |
warships In England, more than usual |
interest attached to this visit The am |
bassador himself refused to make any |
statement for publication relative to |