The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-17
:sO5 Indiana Trust Building,
INDIANAPOLIS.

ment they are disposed to refrain from
making definite arrangements for the ex-
penditure of large amounts for fortifcation
purposes which come under this bureau of
the War Department. Under the examina-
tions of the Endicott board which some
years age made an exhaustive investigation
of the condition of the seacoast defenses,
the department has been conducting opera
tions at twenty-five Of the twenty-seven
places at which the board suggested work
should be prosecuted The board at the
same time expressed it's opinion that $751;
100000 could be well spent on these works.
and up to this time only $9,0O0,OO0 has been
expended. 1t is suggested, therefore, that
the money to be allotted probably will be
spent in further hasty prosecution of the
work already under way. although there are
isolated cases where new works should be
begun and pushed with all due diligence.
Gen. A. w. Greely, chief signal officer of
the army, has gone to New York city for
visit of some days While there it is
probable he will make arrangements for the
work of connecting by means of telegraph
and telephone lines the various fortifica-
tions in the harbor of New York. A sim
liar condition of affairs exists at other for
titled points along the Atlantic and Pacific,
but arrangements are under way to rem
edy this state of affairs.
The War Department is making ready for
another big contract looking to the pro-
curement of lot of shot and shell. An ad-
vertisement has just been issued calling for
''cast-iron projectiles for seacoast cannon"
The bids are made returnable next Monday
at o'clock at the Ordnance Office, War
Department. The shot and shell are of the
heaviest description-1S7 ten-inch solid shot,
q10 fVaIVo-inPh NM oil al
eight hundred pounds each, and five hun
dred twelve-inch mortar shells weighing
one thousand pounds each being wanted
These projectiles are entirely different from
the million dollars worth ordered yester-
day. Those were wrought-steel shot and
shell known as arrnor piercers and intend
ed for attack upon battle ships, monitors
and such armored vessels. Those called for
now are for use either against lightly ar
mored or unarmored ships or else for deck
piercers," being fired from mortars with
plunging fire into the decks Of vessels lying
out at sea. Being of cast metals, these
projectiles, it is expected, will be much
cheaper than the armor piercers already or
dered.
The Equipment Bureau of the Navy De-
partment has prepared itself for the equip
ment at very short notice of any vessels
OF the auxiliary navy that may be acquired
with the most approved signaling devices
now employed.
ARTILLERY RECRUITS.
Considering the competition offered by the
navy and marine corps in the enlistment of
recruits. the War Department feels that it
is doing very we'll in securing men for the
artillery regiments. The adjutant generals
report to-day was that 22O men have been
secured. This is at the rate of eight hun
dred per month and about as fast as the
men can be properly taken care of. The
officials are careful to insist that while they
are desirous of securing as many recruits
as possible, they have in no degree abated
the high requirements of the army as to
physical and moral qualities. They want
the best men. The reports Indicate that
every section of the country is contributing
to the enlistments and those from Dallas,
Tex, are particularly encouraging. With
view to fastening the organization of the
artillery regiments the department has is
sued an order permitting men who formerly
served in the artillery branches and have
since transferred to the cavalry and in
fantry branches to return to the artillery
arm. There are a number of these men who
seek transfer in order to be at the seacoast
In time of trouble.
cussed the recommendations of the secre-
tary of the navy to-day as to increases in
some branches of the service, but took 10
important action. The secretary wants au-
thority for the appointment of acting assist
ant surgeons by the President, and the
sentiment it is stated, is favorable to grant
ing that recommendation. The request for a
large number of skilled machinists in the
navy as well as the further augmentation
of the engineer corps caused vigorous dis
cussion which however met with no signif-
cant result motion was made for the
authorization of the construction of six tor
pedo boats and six torpedo boat destroyers
1t was Immediately challenged as involving
large expenditure. and after some dis
cussion action was deferred. 1t was agreed
that the addition of fifteen assistant pay
masters should be allowed. Some dock de-
tails were also discussed.
Secretary Alger sent to the House to-day
an urgent request for an increase in the
medical corps OF the army, which has be-
come absolutely necessary through the adj
ditiors to the artillery forces and by the
garrisoning of the numerous small posts
At the present time. the secretary saws. sew
eral of our military posts which are gar
rsoned by full regiment or more and
which should have three medical officers
have but two
COST OF TWO WAR SHIPS.