The herald., 1898-03-16
DEFENSE FUND
Divided Among the Several
Departments
SUPPLIES FOR SHIPS
NOT TO BE DELAYED FOR LACK
OF FUNDS
WAR AND NAVY OFFICERS BUSY
And Their Activity Seems to Be Pro-
drckiua ~ Co+isFo c+orV, u poe,,1%~
SUPPLIES FOR SHIPS
NOT TO BE DELAYED FOR LACK
OF FUNDS
WAR AND NAVY OFFICERS BUSY
And Their Activity Seems to Be Pro-
ductive Of Satisfactory Results.
Wreckers Are Slow
Associated Press Special Wire


WASHINGTON. March 15.-This was
another busy day in the war and navy
departments. Secretary Alger was en-
abled to make an allotment of funds from
the appropriation Of 900 which Will
greatly facilitate the work Of the bureaus
These bureaus had not been able to con-
clude any contracts for the procurement
Of warships' supplies, because no allot-
ment had been made, but this afternoon
the ordnance bureau was given $2,500,0O0.
and business went ahead with rush. 1t
Is true that this sum is already mort
gagged under provisional arrangements
made during the past week, but, with the
assurance of more funds to come, the work
of the bureau is now moving rapidly.
Secretary Long was exceedingly busy to-
day, having not only to give good deal Of
time to the cabinet. to which he was
obliged to return twice, but also being
obliged to see a great many persons with
whom the department has or expects to
have contract relations. Among the lat
ter was Mr. Herreshoff, the torpedo-boat
builder, from Bristol, r. I. He turned
two of the boats over to the department
few days ago, and the secretary's purpose
in consulting him was to learn how much
he could hasten the work on one Of the
boats remaining in his hands, which, In
ordinary times, would require about two
months to complete.
The secretary also spent good deal Of
time at intervals during the day in con-
sulting over the long-distance telephone
with naval officers in New York, and 1t Is
believed that much of this consultation
concerned the procurement of suitable
vessels from among the auxiliary navy for
war purposes.
Mr.. Malster of the Columbian Iron works
at Baltimore has notified the department
that he will be able to turn over the torpc-
do boat Rodgers next Saturday. The Rod
gers is a boat which smashed her engines
in the midst of a trial trip about six months
ago. 1t was necessary to replace the en-
gines, but, under the hurry orders from
the navy department, this has been done
in good time 1t is expected that the boat
will be taken at once from Baltimore to
Norfolk. The department has no DISPOSE
ton to waste time at this juncture In
making trial trips, but, knowing the boat
to be of satisfactory type, like her sister
boat, the WinslOw, and Of good workman-
ship. according to the naval inspectors
report, she will be accepted out of hand, as
were the Gwynn and the Talbot last week.
The new cruiser Amazonas, according to
the present plans, will be manned entirely
from the San Francisco. That vessel
sailed at o'clock this morning from Lis
bon, and will arrive at the Tyne about
Friday. 1t Is expected that she will d.
vide her officers and crew with the Anna
zonas, placing Lieut.. Commander Arthur
tfxrn off; -
Francisco, in charge of the latter vessel.
Without doubt, the Amazonas will be
gotten across the ocean as soon as possible,
and it is expected that the San Francisco
will convoy her.
The torpedo boat Foote arrived at Jack
sonville this afternoon. The Machias
sailed from Norfolk to Boston, where she
will undergo some repairs, made necessary
by her long cruise. The Brooklyn went UP
to Newport News for coal. The Marble-
head, which is taking on stores at Tampa,
sailed for the Tortugas.
Judge Advocate Lemley received a tele-
gram this afternoon from Havana, an
nouncing the arrival there of the derrick
Chief in tow of the tug Underwater. 1t is
expected that this derrick will greatly
facilitate the work of wrecking the Maine.
The war department is greatly disap-
pointed and annoyed at the dilatoriness
shown by the contractors who have un-
dertaken to construct the new Notifications
along the coast. 1t is said that only one
among the whole number has finished his
contract on time. The department has
been greatly embarrassed thereby in plac-
ing its guns, and has been obliged to ex-
tend the time allowed these contractors.
The department has determined not to have
to submit to further obstruction in prose-
cutting the work undertaken, but will do
the work itself and refrain from entering
into contracts.