The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-08-11


with old Springlelds which raised such a
cloud of smoke at every discharge that the
Spanish sharpshooters could coolly pick
| them OF.
Even more than for the big guns of the
navy smokeless powder has been found 70
be an absolute necess 4ty for small arms
During the land battles the lines of the
American volunteer forces were as con-
spicuously defined as If tho men had been
uniformed in white duck and stood up
before a coal black background. The
clouds Of white smoke after each volley
rose against the dark green Of the foliage
behind them and showed the enemy exact.
ly where to aim. The Spanish lines, on
the contrary, were entirely free from
smoke and for hours Spanish sharpshoot.
ers peppered away from trees that were
within plain sight without being discov-
cred.
The regulars recognized this defect of
the Springfield early In the war. They
are armed with the new Krag.J Jorgensen,
which makes comparatively little smoke,
and they objected to being stationed
alongside of volunteers In the rifle pits.
Get out Of here with that blankety
blan ked smudge pipe" came to be a
familiar greeting to the volunteer In
several instances around Santiago the vol
unteer troops had to be withdrawn from
the firing lines because their volleys too
clearly betrayed the American formation.
But all this is 20 be changed. II the
war lasts long enough, not only all the
regulars, and all the warships, but the
volunteers will be supplied with weapons
using smokeless powder. According TO
recent reports from Washington plans are
being perfected by Captain Charles O'Neil,
chief of tho bureau of ordnance of the
navy department, for the erection of a
factory which a year hence will be capable
of turning out more than 1000 pounds Of
smokeless powder each day.
In accordance with Captain O'Neil's
instructions Commander A. II. Couden,
superintendent of the Indian Head prov.
ing grounds, is clearing a plot of land
several thousand acres In extent which is
on the government reservation at Indian
Head and which borders on an estuary of
the Potomac river which is deep enough
for vessels of IA feet draft. While satisfied
with the good faith Of the Du Pont Powder
works and the California Powder works
Captain O'Neil believes that it Is wise for
the government TO have a plant of its
own and thus avoid strikes and shutdowns
anu DC hDle 10 Iurnlsn slnOhelebs powder
at any time IL may be needed.
The establishment OF q smokeloss pow
der factory was authorized by congress in
the last naval appropriation bill, which
carried an appropriation Of S93, 927 for the
construction of the buildings and pur.
chase of machinery. Commander Couden
has at the proving grounds large force
Of mechanics and artisans, and no trouble
will be experienced In the construction of
the buildings. The plans are being pre-
pared in the ordnance bureau and at the
Washington navy yard.
When the proposition to establish pow
der factory was first laid before congress,
Captain O'Neil stated that he thought its
output would be about 1000 pocnds per
day improvements In machinery have
since been invented, and he now estimates
that the factory will be able 10 turn out a
| considerably larger quantity, III time of
war the output OF this factory, together
with the supplies that could be turned out
by the Du Pont and California powder
works, win be amply sufficient, the au-
thorities say, 10 keep the navy well fur.
nished with smokeless powder, and there
will be no necessity Of ever returning to
brown or black powder.
| MARX NORRIR