New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-04
AND NAVY NEWS,
frRoM THE TRIBUNE BuREAU.I

u.
NAVAL GENERAL sTAFF.-The naval officers
on duty ia WASHINGTON who have favored the estab-
lIshnent of general staff or the making legal or
general board much interested in the attitude
OF the new Secretary of the Navy on that question
Mr. Moody was rather favoTably inclined. although
he refused to issue order IN the last days OF hs
administration which would have the effect OF fur
nishins his successor with a general staff He
preferred 70 leave that subject and the question Of
adjusting naval pay to Secretary Morton. II the
natter Is Influenced BY the Assistant Secretary q,
the Navy. Mr.. Darling and by most of the bureau
chiefs he will find himself opposed to the PROPOSE
tion The opponents of the idea hope that the new
Secretary viii stop the campaigning in favor Of
the plan The advocates of the measure have print
ed and circulated at government expense pamphlets
wnich Boom the general staff idea ana which are
party headquarters. The latest publication to
contains the hearings on the subject OF a general
St1H before the House Naval Committee at the
were unfavorsble 70 Mr. Moodv's bill These are
printed, S:org with newspaper interviews with ex
plan. \ preface is added expiainine away the oh
against this comment.
NAVAL. PLANT CoNsoLIDATIoN-Au
problem Of administration be taken UP by Score
tary Morton will be that OF the consolidation Of
power plants AT navy yards. Authority for making
this consolidation is contained in the Naval Aprro-
pratiou act where it obtained place. despite
siderable opposition to the project. IL was sup
posed to have the support OF Mr.. Moody. who. how
ever. failed TO render decision in the line OF the
contemplated policy. The subject came up directly
in connection with the new yard at Charleston.
5. c., where no construction work has yet been be-
gun. and where it was deemed there would be a
excellent opportunity to start the plan OF power
plant consolidation. It would require no abandon
Gent OF other plants or any costly charges sa, al
sdsred the dfPartmet wSH9 aRprove n Vac P tor
onI1- one povver nIant FOR me 0nsrafOn Of All the
shops at the new establishment The subject was
body has lately been goIns hard to get rs report
IsloIs vi, SSs S,,.I,,r C5nrS - v--o+ III
report and had long talk with MFR. Moody, who
wreste with the problem. The Board Of Cons,ruc-
ton S a 9 9 ueR pei shod 6o
be PLACID on enc Plant aG , tn2I 56r %1 t oe MISE
plant at each yard
GAS EXPEI-LING DEvICE.-The Naval Ord
nance Bureau has discovered satisfactory gas ex-
pelIing appliance, and the device will be adopted
for all guns OF the service above those OF
finch calibre- One OF the troubles on board ship.
especially during target practice, when it was de-
sired TO obtain rapid ire. has arisen from the
gases remaining after a shot is fired. When the
Of the gun is opened there is always danger
from the bareback or from an ignition OF the re-
naming gases. This might easily lead 70 loss o.
life as board the Missouri at Pensacola, or. In
deed. TO the destruction OF the ship BY the com
One Of the PRECAUTIONS to be taken against any
such disaster is TO sxpel the gas from the bore OF
accompIlshes this. 1t is said soon the breee4
is opened. There tests Of the device on board
the Illinois while thar ship was on the New-Ens-
land range. and. since then. at the naval provlnG
ground at Indian Head. The reports showed thar
great success had attended the experiments. and
draughtsUen have been employed this week az the
will enable the appliance 10 be placed on a.! the
guns of American ships OF war
TINE IN THE BIDS.-Stricter rules are 20 oo-
tain In the Quartermaster Generals Office respect
ing the consideration Of bids for constructing bar
racks and quarters. for which a large allotment
has lust been made. II will be required hereafter
that bidders shau state plainly the time IN which
they propose TO do tho work which they present
proposals. The question OF time will play an i'm
portant part in the award OF contract. Failure 70
state the time will regarded very essential
omission and will cause the rejection OF a bid
Bidders will not be permitted to insert the time
after bids opened. because time may be an
essential factor IN awarding contracts. The Guar
termaster General says:
Officers whose duties require them 20 invite pro
posals for construction work or delivery OF sup
attention OF intending bidders the necessity Of com
plying with the requirements in regard 10 stating
time In which the work will be completed WheTs
the work called for Involves the construction OF
buildings and other classes OF work. such piIuo-
Ing. heating. wiring and so forth. the bidder. IN
order to have his proposal considered must State
which must be reasonable and sufficiently Ions u
enable him under ordinary conditions 10 rulul as
with q view TO drawing favorable attention to his
bid gives a time short that il is practicable
for him to complete the work property within "ts
limits and as result requiring either an extension
the expiration Of the time given in the contract.
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