Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-03-16
FUNDS SUPPLIED.
Over Two Millions Allotted from
the Emergency Appropriation.
ORDNANCE BUREAU GETsIT.
Another Very Busy Day in Army
and Navy Departments.
Hardness of Contractors Causes Great
AnnoYance-Cruiser Amazonas viii Be
Manned from the san Francisco.

Washington, March 15-This was an
other busy day in the war and navy
departments. Secretary Alger was en-
ahled to make an allotment of funds
from the appropriation of $50,O00 900,
which will greatly facilitate the work of
the bureaus. These bureaus had not
been able to conclude any contracts for
the procurement of war supplies, be-
cause no allotment had been made, but
this afternoon the ordnance bureau was
given two and a half million dollars, and
business went forward with rush. 1t
is true that this sum is already mort
gagged under provisional arrangements
made during the past week, but with
the assurance of more funds to come,
the work of the bureau is now moving
rapidly.
Secretary Long was extremely busy
having not only to give a good deal of
time to the cabinet to which he was
Obliged to return twice, but also being
obliged to see great many persons
with whom the department has or eX-
poets to have contract relations. Among
the latter was Mr.. HerTeshoff, the tor
pedo boat builder, from Bristol RI 1. He
turned two Of these boats over to the
department a few days ago, and the
seoretary's purpose in consulting him
was to learn how much he could hasten
the work on one of the boats remaining
in his hands, which, in ordinary times,
would require about two months to
complete.
The secretary also spent good deal
of time at intervals during the day in
consulting over the long distance tele-
phone with naval officers in New York,
and it is believed much of this consulta-
ton concerned the procurement of suit
able vessels for war purposes.
Mr. Master, of the Columbian iron
works, at Baltimore, has notified the
department that he will be able to turn
over to 1t the torpedo boat Rodgers next
Saturday. The Rodgers smashed her
engines in the midst of a trial trip about
six months ago. 1t was necessary almost
TO replace the engines, but under the
hurry orders from the navy department,
this has been done in good time. 1t is
expected that the boat will be taken at
once from Baltimore to Norfolk. The
department has no disposition to waste
time at this juncture in making trial
trips, but, knowing the boat to be of
satisfactory design like her sister boat,
the Winslow, and of good workmanship,
according to the naval inspectors re-
ports, she will be accepted.
The new cruiser Amazonas, according
to present plans, will be manned entirely
from the San francisco. That vessel
Lisbon, and will arrive in the Tyne
about Friday. 1t is expected she win
divide her officers and crew with the
Amazonas. placing Lieut.. Commander
Arthur P. Nazro, executive officer of the
San Francisco, in charge Of the latter
vessel. Without doubt, the Amazonas
will be gotten across the ocean as soon
as possible, and it is expected the San
Francisco will convoy her
The torpedo boat Foote arrived
at Jacksonville this afternoon. The
Machias sailed from Norfolk to Boston,
where she will undergo some repairs
made necessary by her long Asiatie
cruise. The Brooklyn went to Newport
News for coal. The Marblehead. which
was taking ON stores at Tampa, sailed
to join tine squadron at the Tortugas.
Judge Advocate General Lemly re-
ceived a telegram this afternoon from
Havana, announcing the arrival there
of the derrick Chief, in tow of the tug
Underwater. 1t is expected that this
derrick will greatly facilitate the work
of wrecking the Maine.
The war department is greatly disap-
pointed and annoyed at the dilatoriness
shown by the contractors who have UNI
dertaken to construct the new fortii-
cations along the coast. 1t is expected
that one only out of the whole number
will finish his contract on time. The
department has been greatly embar-
raised thereby in placing its guns. and
has been obliged to extend the time al
lowed these contractors. The depart
nlent mas determined not to submit to
further obstruction in prosecuting the
work undertaken, but will do the work
itself and refrain from entering into
contracts.
The meeting of the cabinet was held
at an earlier hour than usual today.
A large part Of the time was con
sumed in the general discussion of the
measures being taken to place the navy
on a proper footing for the defense in
case of trouble The question of the
purchase of war vessels, where they
could be had, and at what price, was
talked over, but without coming to any
definite conclusion on any new PROPOSE
tons Information in possession of the
government is to the effect that Spain
has not contaminated the purchase of
the Chilean warship O'Higgins The in
dications, it is said, seem to be that
this ship also will be added, ultimately,
TO the United States navy.
The agent in this country of the
Thornycroft Torpedo Company of Eng
land. Mr.. Plat, has submitted to Sec
rotary Long proposition for the sale
10 the government of designs and com
plete working drawings for the torpedo
boat destroyers built by his firm. Pre-
dieting that the department would find
# impossible to buy any of these craft
in Europe at this juncture. Mr.. Platt
has urged the propriety of having the
government here start Immediately a
humber of our ship-building firms to
work in the construction of these boats.
The particular pattern submitted is
that of the torpedo boat destroyer
Fame built for the British government.
rhis craft, the type of those strongly
desired by the navy department just
now. Is of more than 30-knot speed and
ana tons burden, large enough to be
thoroughly seaworthy and carrying
suficient coal at economical speed to
run 1000 knots.
This advantage is not possessed by
anv of our boats, and it's Importance
Is fully illustrated by the difficulty
confronting the efforts Of the Spanards
n get their torpedo boat fiotilla across
the Atlantic to Cuba. Based upon the
op afiphlIi1dars who have