The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-06-22

commissioned by Mckinley and all but
three by Root; every lieutenant colonel
and every major has attained his present
rank since Root became Secretary Of
War. Every one OF the 1877 captains car
ries McKinley's commission, and the com
missions of all but ftty-two are signed
Root Every one of the 1917 first lieuten-
ants ad the 1877 second lieutenants have
been promoted TO their present grade
since Root became secretary.
In the infantry all but thirty colo
nels except two hold commissions signed
by Mckinley, and all except five hold
commissions signed by Root. All OF the
majors hold commissions signed by Nc
Kinley. and all but fourteen by Root.
Every one of the $50 captains Of infantry
has been promoted since Mckinley be-
came President. and all but two since
Root became Secretary OF the War Ev-
cry first lieutenant Of infantry and every
second lieutenant holds McKinley's com
mission. while all but ~ first lieuten-
ants and five second lisutenants hold COM
missions signed by Root.
The ordnance department OF the United
States army during the present summer
wiz complete a 16-inch breech- loading
rife at the Watehvliet gun factory, near
Troy, y. Y, which is believed 10 be su-
perior IN all respects to any existing in
strument OF destruction. Il viii weigh
126 tons-252. 600 pounds. It is forty-nIne
feet long. sixty inches IN diameter and
twenty eight inches at the muzzie II
viii carry a charge OF 576 pounds Of
smokeless powder and throw a projectile
Weighing 2soo pounds a distance Of twenty
miles. That, however. is merely an ar
bitrary statement. Owing TO atmospheric
phenomena and the curvature Of the
earth. il would be impossible TO hit any
thing At that distance, but the energy
contained In its charge viii be sufficient
70 throw one ton OF steel distance OF
twenty miles. describing a parabola. the
apex Of which would be FIVE and three
fourth miles il diameter. IN other words
II Mount Blanc could be plsced on top Of
Pixies Peak. this gun could lift a ton
OF steel completely over it, or L the
sun were placed on the top Of the Audi
toriurn lower. IN Chicago. Il could carry
q shot as far as wagkesan or Joliet
Il viii cost the governments E.aso every
time Il Is dred.
II Is not generally known that Pat
Garrett. the gigantic sheriff Of Las Cru
ses. New Mexico. who gained universal
fame by capturing Billy the KID and
ether achievements in New Mexico was
required 20 take civil service examina-
ton before he received appointment as
collector OF customs az e Paso. There
was no doubt as 70 Pats nerve. but fhe
President wanted 70 be convinced O. his
ability II ether directions. Hence he
sent Garrett 70 the civil service commits
sion. directing that he be subjected .
q prscaieai examination % asoe-tzia his
qualifications. Tia commissioners did not
require him 20 parse Irregular verbs. an
swer geographical couundru-s. reclte the
inventory % the sovereigns q England
OF describe the economic condition 4
the industries OF Afgha1istan. bns they
touched him on the tariff laws and the
methods q enforcing them. o. co.rSe
Pat had received 6 tip as q The Ire 4
inquiry. and had been carefully coached
for the ordeal 50 he cane th-oug with
tying coiors ard was marked S-G. oF