Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-22
AV0lDABLE DELAY
THE KENTUCKY AND KEARsARGE
WAITING FOR ARMOR-PLATE.
MEMORIAL BRIDGE AT WASHINGTON.
Engineers Soon to he Invited 10
submit Designs ana Plans Iherc-
for-personaI Notes of Interest
Army Items.

WASHINGTON, D. c., June Sl.-(Spe-
r.al1-There is no delay IN the construc-
ton OF the battleships Kentucky and
Kcarsarge, at Newport News that is not
warranted by ungovernable circum-
y.ances and is not justified by the de-
partment officials here. II is almost i'm
possible TO get armor-plate at the present
lime. the demand for iron and steel ma
rhinery. railroad iron. and other mate
rial overtaxing the mills to such an eX-
tent that the government work VIII nave
u wait until the pressure relaNes ana
the price is lessened.
The Newport News Shipbullding and
Dry-Dock Company is so well advanced
with its work on the two battleships that
application was recently made to the de-
partment TO allow the vessels TO make
their trial trips in their present UNI
finished condition, loading them TO the
displacement required by the contract
This request was refused. The company
wished to show that it's work on the
Ships was up TO the terms Of the con-
tract. and If there is any delay IT Is ON
the part of the government IN failing to
supply the armor-plate.
MEMORIAL BRIDGE.
Fifteen prominent bridge engineers Of
the United States will soon be invited 10
submit designs and plans for the pro-
posed memorial bridge across the folo-
mac at this point. Five thousand dollars
has been appropriated by Congfess for
the purchase of three sets of designs
submitted by competing engineers, and
damned by the Engineer Board 10 be the
most meritorious.
The plans OF the three engineers select
ed will be paid for as follows FIRST
81 500; second, $1,000; third, $1,000 The
s,urnosa of the competition Is to secure the
best designs possible. The balance OF
she appropriation will be used In making
the necessary surveys and fixing upon
Abe best point within the naval oDserVa-
aory-grounds. or adjacent thereto, ana
MISC upon the Virginia shore, for the
terminals Of the structure.
personal"
Mr. I. Irving Thomas. son Of the late
Captain Thomas, Of the Richmond, VINO
xas an officer of one of the Virginia
regiments recently disbanled, ana since
then has been in the service OF the quar-
fermaster's Department nj Fort Monroe
was here on Wednesday last, on business
connected with the War Department. Mr
Thomas Is fortunate enough 10 nave Sc
cured another good position III the BOY
ment service, though It Will take hin
10 the seat OF war In the Philippines HC
mas been rendered an excellent clerksnii
bv Colonel c. T.. Miller, quartermaster
limited States army. who has just been
assigned as chief quartcrmaster OF the
Department of Manila Mr. Thomas has
accented. and will leave IN few days
for San Francisco. from which port he
will sail. With Colonel Miller. at an
early day. MIR. Thomas Is competent
yo,ng businessman and has military
draining and experience now that viii
be valuable 10 him and will fit him foi
his new duties. lie has the best wishes
of numerous friends for his success, pros
perlty. and safe return.
Professor Jenifer Barton. of the Cniver-
ATTY OF west Virginia, son Of General
Seth Barton. OF FREDERICKSBURG. IS here
visiting his brother, Mr.. Maxwell Barton
~ els G street. northwest. The Professor
a. on his annual vacation, most Of which
will be spent with the Old folks, In Fred
ericksburg.
General superintendent J. w Hates
Of the Postal Telegraph aud Gable Com
pany. is here. on official business. lie
epont the greater part OF the day In Alex
andria. and Will probably leave for the
South, via the southern railway. to-mor'
row
AR. NJ. NJ. Green. Of warrenton, Va