New-York tribune., 1900-04-29

Captain Lewis-I think such event actually
Senator Teller-Where?
Captain Lewis-In Porto Rico, during the Span
Senator Timan--was it the Army or the Navy
Captain Lewis-It was the Army.
Senator Teller-Nobody on our side could tell
where the shots struck?
Senator Tllman-In other words. we had a shell
constructed for smokeless powder and used smoke
Senator TeIer-To what extent was this used?
Captain Lewis--I think that particular combina-
ton probably did not very often. 1t occurred
in Porto Rico, and told of it by those who
actually saw it,
Were they loaded here and sent out?
Captain Lewis-Undoubtedly.
Senator Teller-Loaded in the United States and
Senator Teller-Do you mean that they
cidentally loaded with smokeless powder?
Senator TeIer-There can be no mistake about
Captain Lewts-No, sir; think not
Senator Teller-Can you give any reason on the
have loaded those shells with smokeless powder?,
Captain lewis,lt was done. no doubt to test the
efficiency of smokeless powder bursting charge
for field shell.
AN EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT,
Senator Teller-Is smokeless powder for that pur-
pose any better than other powders which might
Captain Lewis-It is certainly not good as a
senator Teller-Is it not very expensive powder?
Captain Lewis-Yes sir; it is more expensive than
Senator Perkins-It is so per cent more costly.
Captain tswismYesf sir and the same a work can
Senator TIlman-You say that occurred in Porto
Captain Lewts-Yes sir; during the actual skir-
mishng which led TO the surrender OF the island.
field artillery.
CAPTAIN LSwts-It vas done by the field artillery
would be responsible for that?
dOubtedly responsible. directly responsible for
the kind and condition Of artillery material fur
Senator Teiler--Do you know whether have
Captain Lewts-L do not
LACK OF sNoKELEss POWDER EXPLAINED
Senator Teller-Can you explain why we were
I think know, but would like to know whether
smoksless powder when we went into the war with
SPAN wnen IL nad wee Peen d n @ use 9y eTnepS n I0T
of srnokeless powder?
placed in the position of crttcising my superiors.
There is no personality in this, but do know the
have knowledge. In my opinion. 1t was the direct
taTy inventions and their i'' deVelopment We have
tried to form close corporation within ourselves
perimental work limited to very few, and
should be. with outside developments.
Senator Teller-With the inventors?
Captain Levvis-Yes, sir. Ny sympathy Is entirely
men come 10 US in good faith and are willing to
tests made by the Government I think they should
receive ever encouragement, our gem mt 49,. ,,o, ,o,oo
Captain LewiS-It is not always done. l know or
knowledge that the effect OF our present
procedure is drive away inventors to discourage
them throw obstacles in their way. think this
IS unfortunate. The Navy is much more progress
sive.
senator TeIer-The Navy has been supplying
smOkeless powder?
a very satisfactory smOkeless powder.
less powder in either the Army the Navy.
Captain Lewis-That is true but l fear Congress
is partly responsible for this.
Senator Teer-Again and again, when We have
been talking about smokeless powder We have
been told that there a formula about TO be
brought which would be better than anything
then known: that must wait Again and again
been told 1T in this committee We
just about develop a formula that win be better
than anything in the world. You will wait until
we develop it,
Captain LeWis-I sorry to say that the Sen
ator is correct; that has been the tendency.
Senator Teller-Then the fault does not lie with
Congress?
Captain Lewis-No. sir.
There was some question whether there could
not be joint Army and Navy tests at the naval
proving ground Indian Head and Capatin Lewis
said in many cases it would be better have the
tests made Washington. Senator Teller said
he why the Army and Navy should
not both the ground. and Senator TIL
man remarked: There is reason, except about
100000 yards Of red tape