New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-31
CONTRACTS FOR CANVAS UNIFORMS
COMFORT OF SOLDIERS ~ SERVICE IN TROPICAL
REGIONS CONSIDERED


The customary activity was IN way abated
Yesterday In tho Offices Of the Government In tho
Army building The entire force on duty in
each and save FOR tho lack OF visitors tho building
presented the same busy scenes II there no
holiday Being less disturbed than usual. the clerks
w>rA able 70 handle moro business and SO overtake
in some degree tho details which the pressure Of
the last few weeks has pushed Gar IN advance OF
them.
At tho Quartermssters Department the contract
will be awarded to-day FOR forty thousand OF tho
canvas suits be provided FOR tho troops IN trop-
ical climates. There have been sixteen bids sub
rni'ted ranging between s. and g n suit for eight
ounce canvas Tho award will be the quality
and finish well price and tho time within
which tho contract can he filed An expert on the
quality OF the goods will be consulted by the in
spector whose report will IA made to-day The
successful bidder will have 10 furnish tho forty
thousand suits I'm seventeen days and Ave thousand
q day thereafter. up to one hundred thousand. II
needed In Philadelphia bids sought for
trousers ~ knee length but in this city the full
length trousers submitted samples II -
thought tina, the knckerbocker or bicycle brecchc.
length Is preferable as Logging have to be worn IN
cuba on account 81 insects, which extremely
annoying II this means OF protection against them
IS not taken and the long trousers make so much
additional warmth and additional discomfort under
tho eggngs
countries Is Khaki cloth which is made from sort
Of grass grown only In China II possesses the
qualitySof being almost absolutely impervious to
water. but is airy enough 10 be cool " IL said 70
he the ideal material for in cuba. and permis-
sion has been granted by the War Department to
officers and men who desire 20 provide themselves
with suits Of t. so that they them In lieu
% the canvas uniforms which the Government Will
provide Khaki cloth came into especial public notice
vhoi the sails Of the yacht Defender were made
Of IT, AT cost OF about $1,000 While suits can
now be obtained much cheaper comparatively. they
are not within the means OF private serving for
SO n month. they cost at least SIS Only ono
firm has enough OF the cloth to All orders for the
suits
Assistant Quartermaster Summerhayes made
report yesterday on tho steamships 'atanla and
Arkada which he inspected Sunday. Tho former
he recommended for troopship. but the latter
which is an English tramp vessel he found insult
able for his purpose. she has not sufficient room
between decks but he thought she would be useful
as a freigher Major summerhayes will Inspect
tugs belonging 70 Morss 81 Co to-day
No definite Instructions were given yesterday for
the removal OF the troops al the Hampstead
camp The report that the eth Ncw-York. under
Colonel Eddy. was 10 go 10 Chictamauga could not
be confirmed. Brgadier General Frank has not
selected a site for a permanent camp for two Army
corps as the War Department has directed. This
means" said Army officer that there Will be
a big reserve force IN this vicinity The place sug-
gested for n camp is the north shore Of Long
Island, between GARDENERS Bay and the sound
tenant Hale made his inspection for General Mer-
rtt he was favorably impressed with Montauk
Point which can be reached as readily by rail- as
the north side and has two wharves at Fort Pond
Bay with twenty feet OF water In a sheltered mar,
nor where the navies Of the world could ride. l
don't know what there is in the vicinity OF Green,
mort the terminus OF the railroad on what Is called
the north fuke' OF the island. But camp should
have both rail and water transportation facilities.
for II makes a difference of fully 20 per cent In tho
cost OF the transportation OF both men and troops
II there IS competition.
Something else absolutely necessary is supply
OF pure fresh drinking water In abundance. AT
Montauk / am told. all the water needed can he
suDplIed by wells from fifteen TO twenty feet deep,
hut whether this supply would remain abundant
and unconta minated with great army In camp L
do not believe can be told without actual expert
ment. I don't believe any better supply can b