Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-16

Washington, March 15.-This was
another busy day in the war and navy
departments. Secretary Alger was en-
aDled TO make an allotment OF funds
from the appropriation OF $50, 600 600
when Will greatly facilitate the work
OF the bureaus. These bureaus had not
oeeA aple TO conclude any contracts
iof the procurement of war supplies
because no allotment had been made,
put this AFTERNOON the ordnance bureau
was given TWO and a half million dol
lars ana business went forward with
iusn. IL IS erue that this sum is al
ready mortgaged under provisional ar
fahgements made during the past
week, but with the assurance of more
luhds TO come the work OF the bureau
Is now moving rapidly.
secretary Long was exceedingly
pusy to-day, having not only to give
good deal of time to the cabinet, to
which he was Obliged to return twice,
out also being urged to see a great
many persons with whom the depart
ment has or expects to have contract
relations. Among the latter was Mr..
Herreshoff, the torpedo boat builder,
from Bristol, Rhode Island He turn
ed two Of these boats over to the de-
partment a few days ago, and the Sec
rotary purpose in consulting him was
to learn how much he could hasten the
work on one of the boats remaining in
his hands, which in ordinary times
would require about two months to
complete.
The Secretary also spent good deal
of time at inyervals during the day in
consolidating over the long distance
telephone with naval officers in New
York, and it is believed much of this
consultation concerned the procure
ment of suitable vessels from among
the auxiliarian navy
FOR WAR PURPOSES.
Mr.. Master, of the Columbian Iron
Works, at Baltimore, has notified the
department that he will be able to
turn over to it the torpedo boat Rodg-
ers next Saturday. The Rodgers is a
boat which smashed her engines IL
the midst of a trial trip about six
months ago. 1t was necessary almost
to replace the engines, but under the
hurry orders from the Navy Depart
ment, this has been deferred until an
other time 1t is expected that the
boat will be taken at once from BaIti-
more to Norfolk. The department has
no disposition to waste time at this
iuncture in making trial trips, but
knowing the boat to be of a satisfac-
tory type, like her sister boat, the
Winslow, and OF good Workmanship,
according to the naval inspectors re-
+rA ant Of n ri
as were the Gwyn and Talbot, last
week.
The new cruiser Amazonas, accord
ing to the present plans, will be man
ned entirely from the San Francisco.
The vessel sailed at q O'Clock TINS
morning from Lisbon, and will arrive
in the Tyne about Friday. 1t is eX-
pected that she will divide her officers
and crew with the Amazonas, placing
Lieut.. Commander Arthur p. Nazro,
executive officer of the San Francisco,
in charge of the latter vessel. Without
doubt the Amazonas will be gotten
across the ocean as soon as possible
and it is expected that the San Fran
cisco will convoy her.
THE TORPEDO BOAT FoOTE
arrived at Jacksonville this afternoon.
The Machias sailed from Norfolk 10
BOSTON. where she will undergo some
repairs made necessary by her lone
Asiatic cruise. The Brooklyn went up
to Newport News for cial. The Mar
hlehead. which is taking on stores al
Tampa. sailed to rejoin the squadron
at Tortugas.
Judge Advocate General Lemly re-
ceived a telegram this afternoon from
Havana. announcing the arrival there
Of the derrick Chief in tow OF the tug
Underwater. 1t is expected that TINS
derrick will greatly facilitate the WORK
of wrecking the Maine
The War Department is greatly as
amounted and annoyed at the dilatorl-
ness shown by the contractors VINO
have undertaken to construct the new
fortifcations along the coast. 1t is
said that only one among the whoie
number has finished his contract on
time. The department has been great
Nv embarrassed thereby in placing lts
guns and has been Obliged TO extend
Tho time allowed these contractors
The department has determined %
not submit to further obstruction IN
prosecution Of the work, put VIII az
The work itself and refrain from en-
taring into contracts.