Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-03-24
IS MOVING RAPIDLY.
Work OF Procuring War Supplies
Greatly Facilitated.

"ECAtAy ruclltateO.
Washington, March II. - Yesterday
navy departments. Secretary Alger
was enabled to make an allotment of
funds from the appropriation of $780,
100000 which will greatly facilitate
the work of the bureaus. These bu-
reaus had not been able to conclude
any contracts for the procurement of
war supplies because no allotment
had been made, but the ordnance bu-
reau was given two and half mil
lion dollars, and business went for
ward with rush. 1t is true that this
sum is already mortgaged under pro-
visional 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 exceedingly
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 expects to have contract rela-
lions. Among the latter was Mr..
Herreshotf, the torpedo boat builder
from Bristol, Il. l. He turned two Of
these boats over to the department q
few days ago, and tile secretary's pur-
pose i'll 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
consultation concerned the procure
ment of suitable vessels from among
the auxiliary navy 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 it the torpedo boat
Rodgers next Saturday. The Rodgers
is boat which smashed her engines
in the midst Of a trial trip about six
| months ago. 1t was necessary to al
most replace the engines, but under
the hurried orders of the navy de-
partment 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 dis
position to waste time at this juncture
in making trial trips, but knowing the
boat to be of satisfactory type, like
her sister boat, the Winslow, and of
good workmanship, according to the
naval inspectors reports, she will be
Accepted Out of Hand ..
as were the Gwyn and Talbot last
week. The new criser Amazonas, ac-
cording to present plans,' will be
manned entirely from the San Fran
cisco. The latter vessel sailed from
Lisbon and will arrive in the Tyne
about Friday. 1t is expected that she
will divide her officers and crew with
the Amazonas. placing Lieutenant
Commander Arthur p. NaZro. execu-
tive 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 that the San Fran
cisco will convoy her.
The torpedo boat Foote arrived at
Jacksonville, yesterday afternoon.
The Machias sailed from Norfolk to
Boston, where she will undergo some
repairs, made necessary by her long
Asiatic cruise. The Brooklyn went
up to Newport News for coal. The
Marblehead, which is taking on stores
at Atlanta, is about to sail to rejoin
the squadron at Dry Tortugas.
The war department is greatly dis
appointed and annoyed at the dilator-
mess shown by the contractors who
have undertaken to construct the new
Notifications along the coast. 1t is
said that only one among the whole
number has finished his contract on
time. The department has been great
ly embarrassed thereby in placing its
guns. and has been obliged to extend
the time allowed these contractors.