The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-03-16

pending naval appropriation BILL This
number is supposed to represent about
the normal working capacity of the
three ship-building concerns in this
country that are able at present TO
undertake the construction of battle-
ships.
The Fortifications Board began its
sessions to-day in the War Depart
ment The proceedings are guarded
zealously against publication
WHERE SOME OF THE WARSHII,S
ARE
The gunboat Annapolis has started
home from the West Indies, leaving
Curacao yesterday directly for key
West She has number of apprcn-
tees aboard. being a training ship. and
it is not yet determined whether she
win be attached to the squadron. The
torpedo boat Winslow arrived at Key
West yesterday. The steel tug Samo-
set arrived at Beaufort yesterday
morning and proceeded Immediately on
her way to Key West in the afternoon
The corpedo boat Foote also coaied
from Charleston for Jacksonville yes
terday. The tug Legion arrived at
League Island to-day She will pick up
a coal lighter and tow it to Key West
for use in coaling the squadron The
Fern arrived at Key West last even
ing.
SMALL ARMS
A representative of the Winchester
Arms Company was in conference TO-
day with General Miles and General
Flagler, at the office of the Bureau of
Ordn ance of the Army. with a view to
examining patterns of rifles made by
this concern, and of ascertaining how
speedily these could be furnished in
large quantities in case of emergency.
Samples of two of the latest patterns
of 30-caliber rifles, one of a Winches-
ter and the other a Lee straight pull
gun, were examined. No contracts
were made, but the conference led to
a full understanding. The represen-
tative of the Winchester Company stat
ed that the present commercial demand
particularly that connected with the
Klonlike excitement, kept the COM
pany at its full capacity, but that
Government orders would be filled
with )ut reference to these private OBJ
legations. The company has a force of
ZOO men. and by working ten hours 81
day, with several shifts, it is believed
that the Government could be supplied
with rifles at a very rapid rate. A
large number of Winchesters could be
supplied at once.
Bids were opened in the Quartermas-
ter-General's office to-day for trans
porting some of the artillery batteries
that are to man the Notifications works
recently completed.
STATE MILITIA.
Inspired by the war sentiment pre-
vailing in many parts of the country,
officers Of State military organizations
have been inquiring of the War De-
partment as to allotment of arms, am
munition. etc There is an annual APP
preparation aggregating about S400,00
allotted among the militia of the sew
eral States, according to their numer-
zeal strength, and the money granted
may be expended for any branch of the
service desired
That feature which has received some
attention lately relates to the artil-
lery fieldpieces. only a few States hav-
ing beer supplied with this necessary
adjunct to successful military service
The military organizations as rule
have been satisfied with the ordinary
Napoleon twelve FOUNDER brass can
non. which fires a solid ball. but their
use has been almost entirely discarded
in the regular army. OF late years
New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Yer
mont, Utah and a few other States have
been furnished with the new field ar
tillery pieces. The officials are prompt
to accede to the requests of the mill
tary organizations, if their allotment
of the annual appropriations made by
Congress is not exhausted, but in the
absence of any money on hand to the
credit of the States no equipment of
any character can be given them. The
artillery strength of the State military
organizations in time of peace is four
field pieces, and in time of war six field
pieces.