Arizona republican., 1898-03-15
The Harvest for the Manu,aG-
 turers of Engines Of Death
WHAT A SINGLE FIRM CAN DO
The Construction of Fifty Tor
 pedO Boats in a Month
The Present Trouble has Created a Furry in the Steel business Even if it Does not End in a War With Spain.

New York, March 14.-The Suns Washington special says: Never be- fore in the history of the United States have such thorough preparations for war been carried on by the naval ad- ministration as now. Every available source of information has been called on to furnish data of what the govern ment may expect to defend if hostili- ties with Spain occur. Manufacturers of iron and steel, of all kinds of avail able water craft, of ammunition, pro- jectiles, long range guns and small arms, and of every conceivable article which will be needed, have been asked for data of their ability to comp'y with the demands of an emergency. Repre- sentatiyes of these concerns have been in personal consultation or in tele- graphic communication with the de- partment officials today, and the show ing has been so gratifying that the officials do not attempt to conceal their satisfaction. One of the most satis- factory assurances of ability to re- spond to the needs of the situation came from the Holland Sub-Marine Torpedo Boat company, through w. H. Jahes, a representative of the com pany.
 Mr. Jakes was formerly a lieu tenant in the navy, and was regarded as an expert in ordnance matters He resigned from the service to accept more lucrative place with the HOl- land company. In his consultation to- day with treasury officials he said that the Holland plant could build and have ready for service in three months no less than fifty torpedo boats. It Is probable that a contract with his firm for furnishing several of these quick moving little craft will be placed as soon as the emergency appropriation becomes available. The Holland con- pany is also anxious to sell to the gov ernment the submarine boat Holland, which created so much concern in na- val circles by her appearance in New York harbor when the Spanish armor- ed cruiser Vizcaya was there. The torpedo boats which the Holland con- pany wants to furnish are to be con- structed on plans allowing their par tial submersion, thus heightening their effectiveness on account of the small target space afforded and the difficulty of an enemy discerning them.
 Other ship building firms which have plants equipped for the construc- tion of torpedo boats have notified the department of the number of this type of vessel they are capable of construct ing simultaneously, and the figures compiled show that with the ffty which the Holland company will un- dertake to build in three months at least 100 torpedo craft can be placed in commission within that period after the contracts are signed.
 Representatives of the Carnegie Steel company were at the navy de- partment today to give information about the capacity of the Carnegie plants to furnish armor for battleships and armored cruisers. An inquiry is now being conducted by the bureau of naval ordnance as to the amount of armor that can be secured on short notice. Figures showing the domestic facilities for steel production are be- ing compiled. Representative of other steel producing concerns are ex- pected here tomorrow to consult with the ordnance officials.
 Many men applied at the navy de- partment today for transportation to New York, League Island, or Boston, where enlistments are being made for the Columbia and Minneapolis. In order to secure the best material the enlistment officers have been in structed to give preference to former enlisted men, and to allow them the privilege of selecting the ships in which they will serve. If many of these seamen express such preferences. transfers vii be made from other yes sels to fill up the complements of the two commerce destroyers.