The San Francisco call., 1898-03-04
Big Supply Ordered From Benicia Arsenal to
 the Preside.
The Coming Ammunition Is for High Power Guns ana
 Mortar Batteries.
Army Officers Making Extensive Preparations for the Annual Din
 her to West Point Grad uates.

Advices by wire from Washington are to the effect that orders have been issued directing that large quantities of ammunition for the high-power guns and mortars be transferred at once from the United States arsenals to the sea coast notifications It Is believed that orders have been conveyed through General Shafter, commanding the department of California, to Col onel Rabbit, commanding the arsenal at Benicia, to send to the Presidio a large supply of powder and proJect1les for the magazines of the harbor forts
 Colonel Babbitt at Benicia declined to be interviewed on the topic yester- day, and very little direct information on the subject could be obtained at army headquarters in this city.
 At a late hour last evening 1t was ascertained that preparations were in progress to bring from the Benicia ar senal to this city quite a store of shot and shelh It is regarded as certain that the order applies to all arsenals of the country in which hlgh- power ammunition is stored. It IS sur missed that an effective supply is deemed necessary for the twelve-inch guns at Lime Point and Fort Point.
 Colonel James M. Moore, assistant quartermaster general, visited the Pre- sidio Wednesday afternoon for the pur- pose of inspecting and accepting the new quartermaster and commisSary storehouses which had been In process of construction for the past four months. The work having been done according to the specifications of contract by James Req the buildings were yesterday accepted on behalf of the Government.
 The annual dinner of the West Point graduates will be given at the Maison Riche Wednesday evening, March It. Responses already received by the con- mittee indicate that the company will be large, and it goes without saying that the sentiment of patriotism will be there. According to the appointment made at the last annual dinner, Colonel George H. Wendell, U. $. A., retired, will preside
 The acceptances show that Colonel Stewart, U. $. A, retired, who dWellS at Berkeley. will be present as the rep resentative of the class of 1842 When 1t comes to an old-time record there are no others In Colonel Stewards class. Colonel Wendell holds up the banner of 1852, and eX-Adjutant General Cosby of Sacramento, who promises to attend, can relate '52 "reminiscences. In 1861 General Cosby went with the Confed- crates, but he was so firmly recon structed when General Stoneman came into power as Governor of California that he had no objection to serving un- der the old flag as adjutant general of California. Many other officers of dis tinction who graduated at West Point before the war will attend.
 It is the word along the line of prepa- ration for the banquet that speeches will not be too numerous or too long. There must be five toasts-one to the Country, one to the Flag, one to the President of the United States, one to the Alma Mater and one to Sweet hearts and Wives.
 The occasion may develop some high grade oratory and a deal of plain com mon sense talk about the duties and obligations of the hour. Army officers are not inclined to give public express sion to their opinions of Congress and public men holding high places in civil life, but if the army needs more soldiers it could hardly be out of place at a dinner of army officers for one to say so.
 Upon the recommendation of the chief surgeon of the Department of Califor- mia, Acting Hospital Steward Henry B. Staley, now at Angel Island, has been transferred to the Presidio to fill the va cancy at that post He will report to the commanding officer without delay.
 Pursuant to authority from the major general commanding the army, the post commander at the Presidio will grant a furlough to Private Michael Baumgart- ner, Company D, First Infantry, for three months. Under the same author ity a furlough for three months has been granted Corporal Robert C. Rob- inson, Company B, First Infantry, sta- tioned at the Presidio.