Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-11-25
1925 ARMS WILL
BE DAILY OUTPUT
Of New Factory at Rec< Island
Arsenal Before June 80
Coming Year.
ON AUXILIARY STEAM PLANT
Recommended by Chief Of Ordnance to
Provide Power During Ice
Gorges.


liam Crozier. chief of ordnance. is at
hand. There is showing of the prog
ress at Rock Island arsenal during the
year and a forecast of what it will be
able to do next year-the word that
the present force of more than 2,2eo
will be gradually increased with the
growth of the small arms plant not be-
ing the least gratifying. The report
pertaining to the arsenal is as follows:
shed has become urgent. AS the army
and militia are equipped with the new
3-inch field material, the old material
turned in should be thoroughly over,
hauled, repaired and stored as re-
serve supply. No building is available
for this purpose. The design Of suit
able storehouse has been prepared and
an estimate for its construction is SUBJ
mitted.
Need of New Hospital.
For a number of years past an esti-
mate has been submitted for the cree
ton of hospital at this arsenal to re-
place the wooden structure temporarily
erected more than forty years ago,
when the island was used for the de-
tention of prisoners of war. This build
ing is rotten. leaky and unfit for hous-
ing the sick. or for any other purpose;
il has been reported by the inspector
general as utterly unfit for hospital
purposes and not worth repairing. One
hundred soldiers are stationed at this
arsenal, and as the hospitals of the
neighboring cities are from two to
three miles away, it is at times impera-
tive that emergency treatment be given
workmen in the post hospital. The de-
sign of a hospital building has been
prepared and an estimate for its cree
ton is again submitted.
The building now used as a stable
is another of the old prison structures
so rotten as to render repairs impOssi-
BILE, and its location is menace to
adjacent expensive buildings on ac-
count of its possible rapid destruction
by fire. An estimate for new build
ing is submitted.
The storehouSe to replace the one
destroyed by five Feb. is. 1908, and for
the erection of which an appropriation
of s150,000 was made March 3. 1903,
has been designed and contracted for
and should be completed by Dec. 80,
1904. 1t will be highly modern
structure, with fire proof floors and
partitions.
Officers Quarters.
The set of officers quarters appro-
priated for in the sundry civil bill ap-
proved April %, 1904, is under con-
struction and it is expected will be
ready for occupation before the close
of the present fiscal year. Quarters
for additional officers will be needed in
the future. but estimate is not now sub
mitted for them as other necessities
are more pressing, and, until these
shall be supplied. some officers can
submit to the inconvenience of living
in adjacent cities.
The bridge was constructed and is
operated by the United States. which
divides the expense with the railroad
companies using it. The statistics
show a continual increase of traffic
over it, accompanied by a decrease of
river traffic through the draw.
An extension of the power house has
been completed. Two generators of 500
kilowatts each and one of $50 kilo-
watts are installed and with two ex-
citers are operated by 20 turbines. The
plant has a normal capacity of 1900
horse power, with permissible extreme
of 3,00O-horse power. 1t is a beauti-
full and efficient installation. supplying
current more than sufficient for 100
motors. aggregating 2.364-horse power,
by which the machinery of the shops
is operated.
Auxiliary Steam Plant.
For a number of weeks last winter,
and during a shorter period the pre-
vious season, ice gorges formed in the
river below the island, backing up wa
ter in the tail race. and thus reducing
the head, or in the pool. cutting off
the flow of water to the wheels, and
in both cases greatly reducing. and for
a few days entirely stopping the power
of the arsenal plant. The probability
of recurrence renders desirable the in
stallation of an auxiliary steam power
plant to insure the uninterrupted oper-
alton Of the arsenal.
Ii is believed to be possible to gen.
crate sufficient electrical power, in ex-
cess of the needs of the arsenal, To
more than. offset by its rental the
cost of maintaining and operating the
plant.
The facilities of the shops have been
increased during the year by the addi-
ton OF 92 machines of various kinds,
most of which were procured for the
of new field artillery ma
terial. The hydraulic plant for the for
nation of parts of gun carriages by
pressure has been in successful opera
ion during part of the year. In the
harness shop the principal item of new
work undertaken has been the manu-
Iacture of pack outfits for mountain