The age-herald., 1901-10-31
MANY HARBORS ARE WELL PROTECTED Less Heavy Guns and More
 Rapid Fire CHIEF ENGINEERS REPORT s35o,ooo Asked for Improving Mobile HarbOr, s2oo,oOo for TombIsbee
 River and sso,ooo for
 chattahooehee. v
CHIEF ENGINEERS REPORT

washington, October 8O.-Twenty-five of the principal harbors of the United States now have a sufficient number of heavy guns and mortars mounted to permit of effective defense against naval attack, says General Gillespie, chief of engineers, in his annual report He briefly describes the original project framed by the Endi- colt Board for the defense and shows how 1t has been amended from year to year.
 The important changes were the provis- ion for rapid fire guns, reduction in the number and calibre of heavy guns, and the elimination of armored defenses. Pro- vision has been made for placing S25 heavy guns, 327 rapid fire guns and S76 mortars. Now General Gillespie wants sites for new mortar batteries, and for gun and mortar batteries asks an appro- priation of s40OO0oO. The Notifications board having declared pneumatic gun batteries obsolete the department has discontinued work on such batteries at Fishers Island, Port Royal
 Repairing Notifications.
 An estimate of $3OOOO0 is submitted for Diego, St. John River, Fort St. Philip and which is less than one-half of per cent. of their value. During the year negotia- tions have proceeded for the purchase of fortification sites in Boston harbor, two in Narraganset, three in New York har- Dor, extension of Fort Newton, three sites at Fort Royal, San Francisco, San Diego, St. John River, Fort St. Phiip and Cape henry, Va. With few exceptions the sites must be procured by condemna- ton. An estimate of g. 000 GOO Is submitted for purchase of sites
 For the obstruction of submarine mines and storage facilities an estimate of $10O,000 Is submitted, for searchlights appropriations of 5500000 for installation and $500,000 for moins and conduits are urgently recommended.
 River and Harbor Works.
 General Gillespie also makes an exten- sive report upon river and horbor works and discusses each improvement at con- siderable length and the boards sub mitted estimates for the first fiscal year ending June 30, 1903 These estimates are from 25 to 33 1-3 per cent less and in some instances 50 per cent less than those of the local engineers in charge of the river and harbor improvement. General Giuespies totals are as follows
 Under continuing contracts s. 4S9,8T7, rivers and harbors (generaD $l2543, 800, examinations, surveys and contingencies s30O000, under California debris commis- sion $15,O00 prevention of deposits in New York harbor $70,260, enlargement of Governors island, New York, $500,000.
 Estimates are submitted by the Missis- sippi river commission and Missouri river commission as follows: Mississippi river commission s3,695,000. Missouri river com mission $,065,20
 Alabama Estimates.
 The estimates for local improvements as made by chief of engineers of $50000 and upwards are as follows:
 Chattahoochee river, Georgia and Ala bama, $9O O0o; Pensacola harbor, Florida, $25O,0 O,000; Coosa river, Georgia and Ala bama s25O; Mobile harbor Alabama. s350,- 900; Tombigbee river Alabama $2oo, 600; channel at Ship Island harbor. Missis- sippi, $150,000; mouth of Calcasieu river, Louisiana $165, 900; harbor at Sabine Pass. Texas, $300,0Oo; Galveston harbor, Texas, s50,000.