The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-13
WORK DONE BY THE
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Secretary Afgcr Issues "a Statenae ut
Covering the Details of the
Supplies Purchased.

supplies
WASHINGTON. Jane I2.-Secresary A.
ger to-day gave cut fer publication - state
Ege0t showing with sxactuezs just what
has been tloEe ~ the war department IA
repairing tae array f0r wa. The secre-
tssTy sal. that this matter. which had been
carefully prepared ~ the heads of the
various departments. of course omitted
thousands OF details bus stu Il might
eOaEsy some idea q ths vast work a<,-
cUmp.ished BY tbs department
The statement comprised reports made
by Quartermaster General L.8dinrfon.
{,ornmissary General Egan, CHIEF o. ord
nance Gen. Flager and Chief Of Engineers
Gen. Watson. The report OF the subs!st-
ence department shows that IL has E.acs
May a. or less than a month, loaded
twelve solid miles Of freight cars with
provisions for the army This iueit.5ed
isIz6.siS raflons. or 32I0 tons for tie
regular and volunteer troops.
Prior 20 April q. IN ar'e'pati0n az the
present emergency the department had
been accommodating small arms ana cart
ridges. ard had about %. zoe 20 OF all kinds.
There have been procured mary millions
more by manufacture and purchase since
April 2 and the ammunition manufacture
and deliveries Of small arms cartridges
will soon reach 500.s9 per day. There
have been issued 10 the army small arms
OF all kinds and the supply IS sufficient
for anticipated wants
Since April q, the oil regular batteries
have had their armament increased from
four guns and caissars 20 six guns and
ca4ssons The new regular batteries have
been supplied with six guns and caiSsons
and khe.r battery wagons and forges.
sixteen volunteer batteries have been
supplied either in whole or In part
The department has sent TO the field a
large number OF five-Inch siege guns and
seven inch field Howitzefs with their car
iiages. timber. platforms. Implements.
equipments. tools. and chests complete:
also seven-tnch nSortars.
Suokeless powder Is being Issued for all
field aHd siege guns.
The supply Of ammunition already order
ed for field caunon IS Tot coI7sidered sutii
Gent for the present time.
There have beer shipped TO THE fortia-
cations since April q. many sea coast
carriages guns for which age already pro-
Videa. Rapid-ilre guns and an ample sup
ply Of ammunition, carriages. shell, shtai-
nell fuses and smokescss powder for the
ssma have been purchased and a portion
OF them have elresady been Installed ~
government works.
There haIo been chartered. without SER
lousy hampeEing the coastSlso lines, for
ty-ous lrSt-c}ass steamships for transports
on the Atlantic coast. four water vessels.
one tug, three steam lighters and one
steamer ~ the signal service. Al Of the@e
had 20 be reiitted 10 a greater or less
extent.
TIE government has made most accept
able contracts for coal at New Orleans.
Mabile Tampa. Key West. Savannah
and FeTnandina and also coal afioat ~
follow the transports TO Cuba ana Porto
Rico
II has been mos, difficult to secure
ships on the Pacific coast. not be-
cause OF uuwi!l!ngness of the steamships
Ill. -E.f. .E.r
they were not available fer the reason
that most Of the companies were trading
across the Pacific end as far south IS
Panama and We could get tie vessels only
when they arrived IN port.
In many Instances these companies have
had 10 charter other vessels - replace
them. as Il was necessary for the govern
ment 10 have them 10 transact its bust
neSa
American register was required tor
number OF ships. hut there WAS ne, dls.
hcalty IN eventually getting all 5he vessels
necessary FOR transporting troops % tue
Philippines.
Because OF the long distance these SHIPS
| hal 10 go. some delays We're caused IN
fitting them out az transports. 80 far tea
vessels have been chartered, Tae p:u-
! curcment Of tho coal for the expedition
has heen left 20 the qaayierm8ster on Gen.
Aerrtts STAN. favorable oEefs by deal-
eyS On th!s side % tho continent being DEE
cjinca because the distance was too great
The movement ef troops % tae reudez-
Naus point was vast uraeEtlA TX. The
volunteer troops have Ecgo to th,v 1estt-
nation with Yromp'uess rd w.tn rrras ~It-
able freedom from accident or delay. TX
/ yrcmelv t1w rates for the 0spoytatton
were secured. generally "s: exceed ny its
cents per rlti~ for passengers. and 4blut
hair She prevailing tar% for freight.