The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-22
PETERSBURG MAY GET A SLICE
\ Firm in That City Makes Lowest biu
on Ccrtain ProiectIles.


WASHINGTON. d. c.. March 2l-Spe-
oial.-The army and navy preparations
arc continuing without interruption, al
though they have now become so regu-
lar as 10 lapse into routine on gigantic
scale. No further purchases OF war
ships were concluded to-day ana lhe ne
Cet.aions are not assuming prohls4Hh
aspect except in showing that the
limited States can command the market
as against spain.
The Ordnance Office Of the War De-
partment presented very busy scehe
to-day. when bids were opened TOT tur-
n,sn.ng the department about lVV cast
iron proiectiles for sea-coast cannon
with which 20 man the fortihcauons'
The tenders called for 80 tWelVe-lheh
mortar shells, weighing 800 pounos' 'aSH
1000 solid shot and l2-inch mortar sheils'
weighing 1. 90 pounds each There were
an nnusuallv large number Of firms who
bid for the contract. and the prices al
which they proposed to furnish the
proIectles showed a wide range.
Among the bidders were the Peters
burg Va) Iron Works ana the Balh
& Murdock Iron Company. OF Charles
ton s. {. So far as figures are con-
cerned. the Petersburg Iron Works were
the lowest bidders. although other condl-
tions may exist which Will prevent them
from getting the contract. The COMPANY
offered to supply the lO-lnch al Slz %
each. one-half 10 be delivered IN torty
days and the remainder in seventy days.
Tho Pinch shells Of 500 and 900 pounds
each. the company bid to furnish at S2l2s
and s23.97. respectively, Offering to supply
hftv of each kind in forty days and the
remainder at quick intervals.
The i0-nch shot the Rome CN. " Ma
chine Works offered 10 supply at $li2
each. TO begin the delivery In one week.
and they agreed TO turn over the entire
amount in four weeks.
TEXAS STARTS NORTH.
The battleshlp Texas started northward
from Key West to-day. thus settling the
question as to the formation Of a second
squadron at or near Hampton Roads II
IS said that the Massachusetts will fol-
low in a few days. but the Gnal orders
for that move have not been made.
The Navy Department received a pre-
iiminary report to-day from one OF It's
agents. who is al Havana watching the
piCgress OF the wrecking.
Il is understood that this refers mainly
to the technical work of salvage. ana not
10 the question Of cause The Judge
advocate-gCnerals Office. where the re-
port was received. will not disclose the
details OF the report.
The government has made no further
purchases of waTships but It's nago.ia-
ions In that line have been productive at
east Of one important result namely, in
establishing that unless the batileship
General . Higgins becomes tbs property
Of the United States II VIII not be sold
NJ all Spain II is confidently ASSERTED
fI 20 nr W.
nor ara her charces any better or as
GOOD as those Of the United States.
Practically the same condition prevails
as 10 the Argentine armoied cruiser San
Martino which will become The property
OF this government II II passes out OF
he hands OF Argentina.
The Spanish Minister called at the STATE
Department to-day and presented Ness
Angula. Valera and Cadenas, who are the
direct representatives, OF The autonomous
Cabinet AT Cuba.
with this presentation. negotiations to-
ward a commercial treaty VIII be OPEN
A hich officer OF the Navy. who has
Intimate knowledge OF It's analrs SAID
to-day:
THE greatest difficulty is being expe-
riencod by the government In procuring
shirs from abroad but 1t is hard az work
7
reasonably be expected under the cir
cumsiances. Spain Is rushing work on
her war vessels. The Peiayo. IT'S lars PSI
and.best bat.leship Is practically ready f9r
sea and its second biggest ship the cares
v. will be ready In fortnight or three
weeks.
The officials Of the Navy Department
are doing everything in their power TO
prepare for any possible conflict
MAINE OFFICIALLY EXISTS.
According 20 the orders to naval officers
issued by the Navy Department today
the batleshp Maine Is s.iil m existence.
At least two OF the orders would seem
to give that impression. They rcad as
follows. Lieutenant a. W. Catlin, L.
s NJ. c. detached Maine, and az home
Lieutenant C. +. W Holman. detached
Maine. home and walt orders
N IS presumed that the Inflated battle
shin viii not be stricken from the naval
register untn after Il has BEN finally o.
tabnshed beyord the possibility OF doobi
ma; the shattered hull cannot be raised
from rs present bed Of mud in the har-