The San Francisco call., 1898-03-06
QUESTIONS OF
 IDENTIFICATION Plans Being Considered by Navy and War
 Departments
Garden Key, sthe Site of Fort Jefferson, to Receive In-
 mediate Attention.
During His Tour in the South, Gen. eral Wilson Will Examine De-
 lenses of Tortugas.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

NEW YORK, March 5.-A Washing ton special to the Herald says: War Department officials have received communication from the Treasury De- partment in reply to the request of Secretary Alger that Garden Key, the site of Fort Jefferson, be returned to the War Department. It is known offi- cially, however, that the marine hoSpi- tai service will put no serious objec- tion to abandoning the quarantine building at Tortugas if an equally ad- vanta geous location therefor can be pro- vided Some little correspondence though, may be required to bring about an agreement. Brigadier-General John M Wilson, chief of engineers, United States navy, who is now inspecting the condition of Qualifications in South Atlantic and Gulf States, Is to make visit to old Fort Jefferson and will re- port to Secretary Alger with recom- mendations as to the advisability of immediate rehabilitation of the old fortress.
 An officer of the engineer corps said to me to-day: There is no question as to the great military value of Fort Jeff ferson. It should be in the possession of the War Department To make thor OuSuIy eQulpptQ lOl IlllCdtloiio there would consume several months. The building of entertainments or em- placements might be difficult, as the soil is only coral sand, not more than half 2 foot or foot deep. Sufficient material, however, might be obtained bv dredging. If necessary to utilize the fort as it stands, 8-inch converted rifles might be placed on the barbette para pet. These would be sufficient to de- fend the fortress against any modern ships, and, with the aid of a portion of the fleet, no enemy could obtain pos session of the place. Of these convert ed guns the ordnance department has large store. This improvised fortifica- tion could be completed in a very short time"
 The Navy Department is no less de- sirous of obtaining a foothold on Tor tugas than the War Department, as the key is of great value as coaling and repair rendezvous. Admiral F. M Bunce, when in command of the North Atlantic squadron several years ago, advocated the acquisition of Tortugas for naval station. Captain F. E. Chadwick, then chief of the Bureau of Equipment, and Rear-Admiral Ram sey, then chief of the Bureau of Navi- gation, indorsed the proposition.
 It is understood that there are build ings now on the island which could be immediately utilized by the Navy De partment for an extensive coaling depot The squadron which is now in the gulf is using Tortugas as partial base of supplies.
 The Navy Department authorities re- port that the harbor is much safer and more capacious one than that at Key West, where great difficulty is ex- perienced in entering, landing and rid ing at anchor when the wind is in cer- tain directions.
 There seems to be little question that the War Department will insist that the Treasury Department relinquish possession of the place. and the Navy Department will be accorded facilities for naval station.
 Brigadier General Wilson proposes to visit all of the Notifications and ad- vantageous sites on the gulf, and his trip is likely to be productive of in- creased activity on the part of the en- gineers department
 Various bureaus of the War Depart ment are quietly and steadily continu- ing their replenishment of supplies. Contracts contingent upon adequate ap- propriation by Congress have been made by Brigadier General Flagler, chief of ordnance, for 200, 900 pounds of smokeIess powder, to cost about $780, 0O0 The award will be divided between the California Powder Company, the Duponts and Rand. Deliveries will be made as rapidly as possible. The Cali fornia Powder Company has been for some time running at it's full capacity on brown and smokeless powder, in an- ticipation of orders, and consequently will be able to furnish it's quota with out delay.