The Saint Paul globe., 1898-11-14

WASHINGTON. Nov. 13-Gen D. w.
Flagler, chief Of the bureau Of ord
nance, has made his annual report to
the secretary OF war. 1t shows that
there was expended during the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1898. $5S. .41s. .7s5. and
that there still remains Of the appro-
priaticns made for the ordnance bureau
$le, ,fs5.359 This large sum is derived
from the appropriations for the fiscal
year, which were made for war pur-
poses, amounting TO s21, ,5O4 .592
Regarding the equipment Of volun-
teers. the general says: so long as the
principal dependence in this country In
a time Of war is a large volunteer
force, newly levied. II Is imDracticable
10 keep on hand large supplies OF cav
airy, artillery and horse equipments.
as these. IN the course OF a few years,
VIII not only deteriorate, but win have
70 be materially modified to keep
pace with improvements. The major
part Of such material can, by taking
advantage Of the resources Of the ar
senals and the numerous private estab-
hshments capable OF producing Il, be
supplied as rapidly as troops can be
raised. mustered into the service and
prepared for campaign. There should,
however. be on hand field and siege ar
tillery with carriages and small arms
for $4,000 men Such guns and car
Tiages cannot be turned out in large
numbers until about six months after
initiating the work"
For eqUipplng an army with a supply
Of small arms. he thinks there should
be a supply Of l00. 050 on hand Of any
new arm, and the arsenals kept in a
condition 80 as 20 produce I. 500 per day
An Interesting part OF the report is
that which treats OF coast defense. The
general says.
Affepffau * agpargaT1y gwxrt4ea -, -
experience OF the last few months in
attempting 20 provide quickly coast
defense. II IS believed 10 be imprac-
ucable, and we VIII always be forced
In any emergency 70 rely upon what
has been provided In time OF peace. A
plan has been adopted for providing a
complete coast defense. With the pres
ent facilities OF the department this
work can be carried on economically
and in The most efficient manner IN
such way as TO complete the present
plan In about seven years
COAST DEFENSE
Estimates ought 10 be submitted
each year for so much Of the work as
the facilities FOR It's production VIII per
nit II rests with congress 10 deter
mine how much OF the work can be
provided FOR each year consistent with
the resources Of the country But the
work cannot proceed faster than the
appropriations provide for IL is prob
able that there must be- added 70 the
plans and estimates for the coast de-
feuse some provision for the defense of
GdGed possessions"
Gen. Flagler does not claim for the
forty -four-caliber Springfield rife an
equality with the new thirty calther
magazine rifle OF the army but saws
that IL rs good arm and possesses
many merits This feature has here
toforc been commented upon iu discus
sion II small arms used during the
VAR. The machinery FOR the manufac-
turc Cf small arm ammunition was
none the best. Yet $4,000 coo rounds
were turned ont FOR the war For
years past the report states. the ap-
propriations FOR equipment OF infantry.
cavalry, artillery and horse have been
barely sufficient 20 meet the consump-
tion of the regular army. and. although
there were buildings. there was no ma
chinery with which 10 manufacture
these supplies. It-Was impossible 10
Nh acquisitions FOR the volunteer troops
when made.
The following statement is made as 10
pC Cwder- For several years this de-
Tnrtment has been experimenting on
smoheless powder for. sea coast guns
and had completed the determination
81 the specifications and requirements
"a 'tttf'iN' .tNN ftN ASI AhI utAf4N ali the
sen coast guns and m0rtarS Some Of
the powder manufacturers that had
been engaged Ia these experimental
powders had small plants at their dis
ptsaL Il was impossible, however. 10
produce the powders fast enough 10
meet the emergency. and In some cases
experience in their use was necessary
fci 'captiug them 10 all the require
ments of the service. The companies.
however, were ready al once TO rake
up The manufacture Of the carbon
powders. and, as the requirements for
these We're simple they could extend
their plants for this production more
readily. and for a time this denart