The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-14
A REV LEW.
The Nations
Ordnance.
.FLAGLER'S REPORT
Shows Advantage and De-
fects Of Present System.

Washington, Nov. 18.-Gen. D. w.
Flagler chief of bureau of ordnance.
has made his annual report to the sec
rotary of war 1t shows there were ex-
pended during the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1898. $7.S4S, 1856, and that there
still remains of the appropriations
made for the ordnance bureau
S19,T9S,3 300. This large sum is derived
from appropriations for the fiscal year
which were made for war purposes
amounting to $21, 504, 592
Regarding the equipment of volun-
teers. the general thinks it would be as
well to have the government equip
them instead of their bringing their
state arms into service, saying that it
could be done as quickly, owing to the
condition of the arms of state troops
He speaks in terms Of praise of the
manner in which work has been per-
formed at arsenals and ordnance fac
tories in the rush that was made in
putting the country on a footing for
war with Spain.
AS to the equipment Of an army, he
says: so long as the principal de-
pendence in this country in time of
war is a large volunteer force, newly
levied, it is impracticable to keep on
hand large supplies of cavalry, artillery
and horse equipments, as these in the
course of a few years will not only de-
teriorate, but will have to be materially
modified to keep pace with improve
mentS. The major part of such mate
rial can, by taking advantage of the re-
sources of Rock Island and the other
arsenalS, and the numerous private es-
adjustments capable of producing it,
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 a portion of
the harness required for 50U,000 men.
Such guns and carriages cannot be
turned out in large numbers until about
six months after initiating the work"
For equipping an army with a supply
of small arms he thinks there should be
a supply of 100000 on hand of any new
arm, and the arsenals kept in a condi-
ton so as TO produce $500 per day. An
interesting feature of the report is
that which treats of coast defense. The
general says: Attention is especially
! Invited to the experience of the last
few months in attempting TO provide
quickly a coast defense. 1t is believed
to be impracticable, and we were al
ways forced in any emergency to rely
upon what has been provided in time
of peace. L think 1t fair to state,
though not in VTov Of com ralaint thar
this has -G giot .J.r
each yea " thr sl '4sl VISA t
situation
been ado
coast def
With the present facilities, VI the ue-
partment, this work can be carried on
economically and in the most efficient
manner, in such a wav as to complete
the present plan in about seven years.
Estimates ought to be submitted each
year for so much of the work as the
facilities for its production will per-
nit. 1t rests with congress to deter
mine how much of work can be pro-
vided- for each year consistently with
the resources of the country. But the
work can not progress faster than the
appropriations provide for.
1T is probable there must be added
to plans and estimates for the coast
defense some provision for the defense
of added possessions
Gen. Flagler does not claim for the
45-calibre Springfield rife an equality
with the new 30-calibre magazine rifle
of the army, but says it is very good
arm and possesses many merits.
This feature has heretofore been
commended on in discussion of small
arms used during the war. The ma
chinery for the manufacture of small |
arm ammunition was none the best,
yet the department turned out 80, 000 900
rounds for the war. -Four years past
the report states that appropriations
for equipments of infantry, cavalry, ar
tillery and horse have been barely suffl- |
cient to meet the consumption of the |
regular army, and although there were
buildings, there was not machinery |
with which to manufacture the sup
plies. 1t was not possible to fill re-
QUESTIONS for the volunteer troops when
made