Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-02
MxzzT-H|NOS ~ 81.
A zzzi-1APD > *s2<< {s5El
II 5 s HE4@ .zs<V

, record that a great deal that is regarded as
of value in the matter of ordnance is
the invention of civilians. from the bayonet
to the modern rifled gun, including the
hundreds of explosives cartridges and the
like. OF course. every fellow who has an
invention thinks he has, wants an off,
cial trial of it made. The government de-
ciines tests every time 1t can. but there are
some inventors who cannot be diverted and
with this class 1t is less expensive to give
, the test. explode their machine and thus
get rid of them. Hundreds of these inven-
lions have been sent to the navy yard for
! the necessary tests. OF the hundreds that
have been tested, not one. or an idea from
one. has been adopted or has proven to be
OF any value. In the matter of explosives,
fuses and that line generally the inventors
nave been very active in making explosives
that are not needed, even if they were prac-
ucable. The ordnance bureau has kept an
official tester at work on them at a salary
/ OF $40 per day for over eight months. These
tests, though supposed to be made by the
officers who sign the reports, are ALWAYS
made by hired civilians and experts who
possess the necessary scientific knowledge,
and who are. besides fresher from and
more in touch with the books and stand
ard writer's. They are, as a rule very ex-
hisustive and are accepted as conclusive
when made Many of the inventions that
have been offered have been ludicrous both
IN conception and development This is
particularly so in connection with the me-
chanlcal inventions offered. for some of the
guns that have been offered would have if
adopted. done more harm to the men be-
hlnd the guns than to the enemy The
ordnance people of the army have been
peStered as much as the navy and their
experience has been about the same moth
ing OF any remarkable value having been
offered, though the inventors in each thing
supposed they had the greatly needed ar
ticle OF destruction.
X *
come under my observation since | became
member of the force some years back
and which makes me smile every time if is
brought to mind said well known police
man of the West End, to a Star reporter
the other evening, happened some weeks
since You know l was for a long time
stationed at a prominent corner and there
had to deal with all sorts of people. The
OF DRINKS came my way, and l had to call
the patrol not a few times to let them
sleep off their Jag at the station. About
? o clock l heard a tremendous racket and
looking up the street L saw Tom - Ga
weti-known Densioner from the vicinity of
the Chain BRIDGE driving his horse and
wagon on the sidewalk playing havoc
with the fruit stands. and. in fact. any
drunk as "A lord would be putting it mild
Il argued with him that the street was
1ar preferable to the sidewalk for his out
Mt, but Tom couldn't see it that way. and
/ was forced to take ride with him to
interview the stationkeeper
Just as l was about to close the door
upon MN he stuck his arm through and
prevented its closure. Looking UP he re-
marked in maudlin tone: Look here (caIl-
ing me by nance. you know / suffer from
heaIt disease. don't you?'
answered | was under that impression.
and, further did not think red eye would
prolong his existence. He took no notice
Whatever OF the latter part of my remark
but continued: And you know I'm liable
to drop dead at any moment Well if | do
die before morning, I'll sue YOU
ana a Wel-knoWn character in the next
Cell the worse for bug juice chimed in:
l will ~
see Tom quite often now, but he and
ms BUNCH OF bones keep to the right OF
the road -