Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-11-21
GouPDmeR

The annual report of Gen. D. w.
! Flagier. chief of ordnance, to the see
rotary of war, for the year ending
June 80. 1898, extracts from which
have heretofore been published in
| The ARGUS. is Obtainable as whole
now. As the largest military factory
/ in the country, Rock Island arsenal
| comes in for liberal share of atten-
ton in this important official docu-
lhsnts ths contents Of which sbould
fserVe as further assurance to the peo-
| pie OF the three cities that it Will only
| require the proper effort to secure
| for the plant the financial aid that
Will increase its manufacturing ca
pacItY TO the extent it should be.
In addition to his recommendations
for the establishment of great small
arms factory at Rock Island arsenal,
and the extensive enlargement of the
| carriage and equipment shops, and
the establishment Of factory for
small arms ammunition, Gen. Flagler
recommends in his report the estab-
lishment of plant for the manufac
ture of ammunition for the field artil-
lery. This would be an important
branch Of the work, and the shops
of the machines and the beginning of
business.
The report in part SAYS: so long
as the principal dependence in this
| country in time of war is a large vol
unteer force. newly levied. it is i'm
practicable TO keep on hand the neces-
sary large supplies of cavalry, artil-
lery and horse equipments, as these,
in the course of few years, will not
only deteriorate, but will have to be
materially modified TO keep pace with
improvements. The major part of
such material can. by taking advan-
tage of the resources of Rock Island
and the other arsenals, and the nu-
merous private arsenals capable of
producing it, be supplied as rapidly
as troops can lie raised. mustered into
the service and prepared for the cam
paign.
IF sufficient of this material were
on hand for an army of $4,000 men.
the resources of the department and of
the country would provide additional
field and siege material rapidly enough
to supply the troops as raised. and to
make up the losses which would oc-
cur in battle. 4 supply of ammuni
ton for field and siege guns sufficient
for three months should, at all times.
be kept on hand. BY the expiration
of that period the plant that is now
established at Frankford arsenal, and
which ought to be, and which it is
expected will be installed At Rock Isl
and arsenal, would be capable of meet
ing all requirements.
Small arms ID HicuIties.
The question of supply of small !
arms presents difficulties The |
changes and imProYem. MS, in ARM
are such as 10 make it practically I'M |
possible to keep even large standing |
armies armed with the latest and best |
arms. \ nation that does not keep a |
standing army ready equipped is still |
less likely to undergo the great cost
of changing arms in store in order to
be always ready to furnish the lates
and most improved patterns immed-
lately. When the model of the in
fantrv rifle is changed, however, il is
believed that supply of at least
100. 900 stands should be procured, by
purchase or manufacture, at the car
Hest moment that the resources of
the arsenals and the country can
produce them, and that machinery
should be installed at Spring
field and Rock Island for their pro-
iuction at the rate of =, 800 stands per