Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-02

the rapid-fire guns will be placed. AS q
precaution for safety, the converted
rifles will not be disturbed until the other
guns arrive.
Batteries f and II, of the Sixth Artil-
lery which arrived at Fort Monroe yes
terday from Fort McHenry, near bditi-
more, have already been assigned 10
quarters, and the details or ofncers VIII
be arranged at once. The new batteries,
together with Battery +, OF the Fourth
Artillery, which recently arrived at the
fort from Fort Riley. Kan, are being
drilled at every opportunity In order 10
accustom them to the new work before
them.
The two new mortars. which arrived at
the fort Wednesday night, are to-day pc
ing placed in position. The sixteenth
mortar has not yet arrived, but tne
masked battery can be made ready Ior
action tomorrow, If necessary.
CHANGES AT THE DRY-DocK.
The UNEXPECTED visit Of Mr.. Calvin Il.
Circuit. president OF the Newport News
SURROUNDING and Dry-Dock Company, 10
the city yesterday, followed SO closely
after his trip on the occasion or the
double launching, is fully explained IN
the change of management 10 go IN eHec'
at the ship-yard next Monday morning
Mayor Walter A. Post will hereafter be
the general manager OF the Newport
News Ship-Building and Dry-Dock com
pany, and will rank next 10 Presldehl
Orcutt in the management OF the SNIP
wards affairs. Mr.. Matt. V. d. Doughty
will be the superintendent OF CONSTRUCTION
and will have entire control OF every
thing appertaining to the nun Depart
ment. Mr.. James Rowbottom will be pro-
noted
II is also learned that there VIII be
further changes made which will create
not a little surprise TO the people OF New
mort News. The solution OF this unex-
pected turn of affairs is found in lew
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and rivalry among
holders of responsible positions.
President Orcutt paid a flying visit 10
Newport News I'm order to make arrange
ments for the new regime.
STRIKERS RESUME WORK.
The fifty caulkers and clippers who laid
down their tools yesterday morning
at the ship-yard and quit work. because
they were receiving only 81 per diem'
when the profession elsewhere Is re-
ceiving $3.50, returned 10 their duties TINS
morning. the whole difficulty having been
satisfactorily adjusted.
For some time the men have been COM
planning to their boss, Archibald ShanKlln'
that they were not being paid stand
ard wages. but ne took no heed OF their
words. and failed TO report the matter
TO the ship-yard officials. Yesterday
morning the men went to him, indiVidu-
ally. and asked for an increase. Shanklin
refused. and the men then quit work. IL
was not an organized strike, and there
was no leader. The men declared that
thew would not strike, but If their de-
mand was not needed they would go to
the Gosport navy-yard, where caulkers
are wanted in numbers and where stand
ard wages were being paid by the gov
eminent.
II is learned tonight that Mr.. SOM
mers n. Smith, the retiring superih-
tendent Of the ship-yard, has purchased
the controlling interest in the Neafhe q
Levy ship-yard, at Philadelphia. MT.
Smiths contract with the local company
expired two years ago, and since that
time he has been working on an annual
ARRANGEMENT, not caring TO renew the
contract. He resigned as superintendent
in February to take effect to-day. lie
WAS offered inducements TO remain mere
but he preferred to operate MS own
shin-huilding plant At Neafiie & Levy's
sbin-yard he will have full control, and
viii himself superlntend all work con-
tracted for. The papers closing the deal
reached Mr.. Smith only this morning.
Mr.. Smith came from Neaffie x Levy
yard to Newport News seven years ago.