The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-04

the largest ever built for the United
States, are TO be completed and turned
over TO the government within ten months
If finished under the terms of the con-
tract They are now under construction
BY the Newport News Shipbuilding COM
pany and are TO be launched on the oath
inst. On the first of February the notify
statement issued by the bureau of con-
struction showed them 10 be 50 per cent
finished. The company, a prominent naval
officer said today would have to work
hard and disregard the eight-hour day
rule in order 10 complete them in con-
tract time. The coal mining companies
throughout the country. especially those
near the seaboard have been prompt in
their offers TO the navy department to
furnish coal in the event OF trouble with
Spain and the department has taken steps
TO ascertain the probable supply and its
location, etc, available in the case OF an
emergency demand This branch Of the
naval supply comes under the bureau OF
equipment and aside from the steps above
noted the officials VII not admit that any
thing unusual has been done. Captain
Bradford, the chief Of the bureau, did
say, however, today that no extraordinary
contracts for coal had been entered into
as result of the excitement over the
Maine disaster nor any greater amount
purchased than was usual for the navy on
q peace footing.
New York. March 3-There is q contin-
uance of activity at the New York ar
senaI. The shipping Of sheels and other
proiectiles TO the Notifications about the
harbor is unabated. It is expected that
battery OF twenty 12-inch mortars VIII
soon be received at Sandy Hook for test
ing before they are forwarded to the
points for which they are destined There
are a number of unmounted guns at the
proving grounds awaiting the construc-
ton Of carriages. The supply of ammuni-
ton has been increased in all the maya
zines and so arranged that it can be i'm
rnedistelv available. The men seem much
more pleased al the work they have to do
than when the guns lay idle and in
condition unfit for active use.
At Sandy Hook, however. there is
slight complaint among the men. who
say that too much work is expected OF
TOO small q force A large consignment
of ammunition, including powder and pro-
jecti.es, is ready for shipment at the or
dinance department in the Brooklyn
navy yard Commander Swift, who has
charge of the department, superintended
the work of packing. Commander swift
received Instructions from Washington TO
forward the supplies as soon asp ossloie
to Key West, Florida, whence they will
be distributed among the United States
war vessels now in that neighborhood
Many OF the projectiles were for guns of
large calibre As yet no information has
been received as to what disposition is TO
be made of the guns which have been
recently shipped to the yard from Wash
ington. These guns are Of different sizes,
and as neither the Chicago nor the At
lanta, which are being overhauled at the
yard would be ready to receive its guns
for at least six months. it is rumored
that they are intended for the auxiliary
vessels.
IMPROVED SHOULDER ARMS.
Springfield. Ill. March 3.-Adjutant
General Reece today received from Mare
Island ward 500 brand new Lee rifles Of
twenty-six calibre. These rifles are furn-
ished by the United States government
in exchange for a similar number OF OBJ
solete ffty-calibre Springfield rifles. The
new guns will be distributed among the
various divisions of the Illinois naval
militia. It being the intention to arm all
troops with these late-pattern arms.
NEW TORPEDO BOATS TRIED.
Bristol R. l., March S.-The two new
government torpedo boats. the Gwyn and
the Talbot, Just completed by the Here
chaffs, We're given their official speed
trials today in Narraga nsett bay, under
favorable conditions, and both exceeded
their contract speed, the former making
an average OF 209 knots per hour, and the
latter oil The company figured that
the Gwyn had been in the water about ten
DAYS and the Talbot only two. the slight
roughness on the former would account
for the difference between the two boats
and that they are practically equal.
RUSH ORDER ON PROJECTILEs.
Reading, Pa. March 3.-Beginning next
Monday, the Carpenter Steel works will
go on double turn, working on projec-
tiles for the government, and employ
ing $50 instead of 225 hands.
THE ADDITIONAL ARTILLERYMEN.
Washington, March 3.-The Hawley bill
for the creation of two additional regi-
rnents of artillery viii not be taken up
in the house tomorrow, as some of its
friends had hoped. The Republican mem
bers Of the committeeon rules gave the
matter some consideration after adjourn
ment tonight, but no conclusion was
reached, and for the present, at least,
the committee on military affairs will not
be given time for its consideration.
san Francisco. March 9.-The war de-
partment has issued orders for the imme-
date transfer of ammunition from the
Benicia arsenal to this city. The object IS
to supply the needs of the batteries and
heavy ordnance at the Preside and Black
Port. which constitute the most import
ant Of the harbor defense Of San Fran
cisco.
Portsmouth. \. II, March 3.-OTders
have been received at the navy yard TO
make the OUTFIT for the United States
steamship Lancaster with the quickest
possible dispatch. Il is expected that the
Machias and Essex win be made ready
for service with the Portsmouth yard st
once.
Cincinnati O., March 3-The southern
railway lines having headquarters here
today received inquiries from washing
ton Ter rates for the transportation Of
nine e.gh--inch guns 10 Fort Morgan near
Mobile The weIshc Of the guns was
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