The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-12
RAPID FIRING GUNS.
\ LARGE NUMBER TO BE FUR
CHASED FOR sEACoAsT TOWNS.
They VIII He Used To Protect Suhnn-
riDe Mines from The Encmy-Am-
munitiOn Is Ordered Also.

Washington. March 1t.--Secrotary Alger
has authorized General Flasler chief OF
ordnance, to make arrangements at once
for procuring large number of rapid
firing guns for seacoast defenscs. This ac-
ton is taken without waiting for allotment
among the various bureaus OF the war and
navy departments of the $50, 900, 600 for
National defense. The secretary felt that
there Is no reason for further delaying the
these guns. as 1t is felt that there would
be no trouble in arriving at an equitable
adjustment Of the money available.
Ever since tho batteship Maine was
wrecked in Havana harbor the ord aance
department has been fastening the do
livery Of guns already finished and making
arrangements for the supply of such a
Humber of additional ones as the officials
felt warranted In ordering without addi-
tional iunds which have since been put
| ut their disposal, The ordnance bureau Will
take all these rapid fire guns that can b.
| procured within a reasonable time, and
they wils be shipped TO coast foItincations
| Us rapidly as possible.
They would be OF invaluable assistance
in keeping the enemys ships from the vi
oihity OF submarine mines and other OBJ
senred works OF defense b. maiptaln,ng Il
constant hre over such PAGES. Contracts
Tor delivery OF the carriages fer these
rapid fire guns have also been authorized,
ana VIII be shipped to the Notifications AZ
soon ms completed
quite number OF establishments
| throughout the United States have re-
sponded to the department inqn ries as
to whether they can assist in making III 50
| guns, They include the army gun factory,
| the Bethlehem Iron works, briggs Ord
| nance company and the American Ordnance
| company, Tho guns are mounted without
much trouble. so that haste In their man
ufacture is essential in the present oris s.
! IL Is now admitted by the ordnance oifi-
! cials that directions have been given to
| the various arsenals and armories con-
| tio'led by the government TO increase the
working force to the fullest extent prac-
| ucable, with a View to hurrying the com
pletion of existing projects. Likewise all
hrms having contracts to supply the gov
ernment with ordnance have been re-
quested to work their men night and day
In order TO finish the work in haad, and
10 arrange their business with view tc
Increased orders.
AS TO small arms, extra ammunition or
ders have been already placed with tbs
| Union Metallic Cartridge company Of
bridgeport Conn. and the wincheste:
Arms company OF New York Negotiaticni
Tor tho supply OF large number OF smal
arms, army equipments and accoMntrr.
ments are now In progress. Bureau Official
have not yet indicated the exact numbsl
which will be ordered. but that the aggre,
gate VIII be large Is shown by the FAC,
that manufacturers have been given this
cue to make all they can.
General Greeley. chief signal officer. has
been given authority by the secretary Of
war 70 proceed without regard to ordinary
restrictions In establishing rapid telegraph
connections between seaeoast fortif,ea
lions, II viii not be necessary. therefore
TO invite proposals for furnishing supplie,
and TO follow the ordinary and sow
methods Of procuring telegraphic materlcl
and doing work. -
Lieutenant Stone, representative Of tn
carnegie Steel company, was al the raw
department today In conference with an,
/ Gals respecting naval work Ia progress.
Genc.si Merrisrs TRIP.
4 New York, Msrch ii.--"I shall start ON
my trip to inspect the Notifications ,p,n
the seacoast Of the Southern States IN