Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-05-18
WANT sMoKELEss POWDER.


Army Officers Complain of Poor
Powder for Practice Work.
Washington. May 17.-Otficers of the
artillery corps of the army are much
disappointed over the failure of the war
department to make provision for the
use OF smokeless powder in the artillery
practice of the prese.t year. For sew
'erai years the artillery has tried to get
smokeless powder for this practice, and
1T was supposed the order recently is
sued prescribing regulations for artil-
isry practice would make an allotment
OF smokeless powder for the year The
order detailed elaborate plans for the
regulation of the artillery and making
fuil allowance of smokeless ammunition,
but small note in the body of the or
der prevents 1t from becoming effective
Until next year so far as it relates to the
use OF ammunition. This means that
the sa me allowance as last year will be
made, and that the artillery will not
have an opportunity to try the merits
OF the new giycerine powder re-
Gently purchased by the ordnance bu-
reau.
Artillery officers say that target prac-
productive ofthe best results. as the use
OF smokeiess powder would present en-
tsrely different conditions from those to
be found in the use of powder which
woulc not be used in case of war. They
also declare that only by testing the new
powder in target practice can its true
value be determined. The ordnance de-
partment has objected to the use of the
powder for target practice on the
ground that the supply on hand is not
sufficient TO warrant Its use in that way.
Claiming that it be reserved for cases of.
emergency.
The latest reports from the arsenals
Show that over 1000. 900 pounds are now
on hand, and that deliveries are beng
made rapidly by the powder firms hay
ing the contracts. Little is actually
known about this powder except what
has been revealed at the trials at Sandy
Hook and other proving grounds. where
several guns have been blown up with
II and others have had the mllzzles shot
off. An officer of the ordnance bureai,
is authority for the statement that the
war department has not yet succeeded
In finding a satisfactory powder. the in
ability to control the free nitric acid be-
ing the cause of the trouble.
lie navy department long ago aban-
doned the idea OF a nitro -glycerine pow
der and has adnnted the ....c ca,,;:,ns.s
powder, of which large quantities.
a amounting In value TO several million
dollars, have been purchased
object 10 bankruptcy Discharge.
New York. May H. Exceptions were
filed with Frederick W. Leonard. ref
cree IN bankruptcy in Newark yester-
day afternoon. by George d. Patten. of
Plainfied, and the Kentucky National
bank of Louisville. against the applica
tion for discharge from bankruptcy
made by Francis ID. Carley, formerly a
broker. who became voluntary bank
rupt last fall, giving his liabilities at
nearly sl,00000o and his assets as moth
ing. The objectors allege that Carley
is not really bankrupt; that he holds
bonds and stocks in nearly dozen diff
ferent financial concerns, and that he
has signed over much of his property
to his wife. George d. Patten holds an
assigned Judgment of $4,000 against Car
ley, and the kentucky bank is large
creditor also.