Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-17
be free from harm or fire from the

naval ships.
ne engineers Office of the War De-
paftment have indicated to Secretary
Anger their desires that they be allot-
led So0O0000 of the emergency appro-
prlatlon of $50, 900, coo appropriated by
Congress.
IN the absence Of a specific allotment
they are disposed to refrain from max
ing deHnlte arrangements for the eX-
pendlture OF large amounts for fortif1-
cation purpose which come under this
bureau OF the War Department. I'm
der the recommendations of the Endl-
cott board, which some years ago
made an exhaustive investigation OF
the condition of the sea coast defenses,
the department has been conducting at
twenty-five Of the twenty seven places
at which the board suggested work
should he prosecuted. The board at
the same time expressed its opinion
that $50 ,000.0 900 could be well
SPENT ON THESE WORKS
and up to this time only $9,000,0 00 has
been expended. 1t is suggested, there
fore, that the money to be allotted
probably will be spent in further hasty
prosecution of the work already done.
although there are isolated cases where
new work should be begun and pushed
with all due diligence.
Gen. A. w. Greedy chief signal Off
Ger of the army, has gone to New YORK
city for visit of some days. Whlle
there it is probable he will make ar
engagements for the work of connecting
by means Of telegraph and telephone
lines the various Notifications in the
harbor of New York. A similar condl-
ton Of affairs exists at other fortified
points along the Atlantic and Pacl1ic'
but arrangements are under way TO
remedy this state Of affairs.
The War Department is making
ready for another big contract looking
to the procurement of lot of shot and
shell. An advertisement has just IS
sued calling for east iron proJectlies
for sea coast cannon"
The bids are made returnable next
Monday at 3 o'clock at the ordnance Of
fee, War Department
The shot and shell are of the
HEAVIEST DESCRIPTION,
1877 ten-inch solid shot $40 twelve-inch
mortar shells, weighing 800 pounds
each. and 500 twelve-inch mortar shells
weighing 1000 pounds each, being
wanted.
These projectiles are entirely differ
ent from the million dollars worth or
dered yesterday. Those were wrought
steel shot and shell known as armor
piercers and intended for attack upon
battleships, monitors and such armored
vessels. Those called for now are for
use either against lightly armored or
unarmored ships OF else for deck
piercers, being fired from mortars
with a plunging fire into the deck OF
vessels lying cut at sea. Being of cast
metals, these projectiles, it is expected,
will be much cheaper than the armor
piercers already ordered.
The equipment bureau of the Navy
Department has prepared itself for the
equipment at very short notice of any
vessels of the auxiliary navy that may
be acquired with the most approved
signalling devices now employed.
The torpedo boat Foote sailed from
Jacksonville for Key West this morn
ing The Vicksburg arrived at st.
Pierre, West Indies. The Marietta
sailed from San Jose for Panama. The
Essex arrived at Portsmouth. n H.
Considering the competition offered
by the navy and marine corps in the
enlistment Of recruits, the War De
partment feels that it is doing very
well in securing men for the artillery
regiments. The Adiutant Generals
report to-day was that 220 men have
been secured. This is at the rate Of
800 per month and as fast as the men
can be properly taken care of. The
officials are careful to insist that while
they are DESTROYS Of securing as many
recruits as possible they have in no
degree abated the high requirements
of the army as to physical and moral
qualities. They want the best men.
The reports indicate that every sec
ton of the country is contributing to
the enlistments, and those from Dali
las, Texas. are particularly encourag-
ing With a view Of fastening the
organization of the artillery regiments,
the department has issued an order
permitting men who formerly served
in the artillery branches and have
since transferred to the cavalry and
infantry to return to the artillery arm.
There are number of these men who
seek transfer in order ID be ate the
sea coast in time of trouble.