New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-21
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
TFRoM THE TR1BlxE BuREAU.l


STRINGS TO BIDS-G w spearin of New
York City. has filed a protest with the Secretary
of the Navy against the holding of his certified
check for $4,000. which was deposited by him with
the chief OF the Bureau of Yards and Docks at the
time he bid for the construction of the big dry-
dock at the New-York Navy Yard. Mr.. Spearin
was unable 10 file bonds for the carrying out OF
the contract. and in that way he the certified
check. 1t Is held In the department that If such
checks withdrawn or their withdrawal per
mitted in the case OF delinquent bidder there is
no need Of imposing any such requirement on
those who seek contracts from the department
The careless way in which the checks have been
regarded in former times has led TO careless Did
ding. Firms and individuals have bid, and then
when they found it impossible to carry out the
contract without loss they have obtained theT
checks. and the government has been put TO the
trouble and expense of making contracts else
again. 1t is believed the department will be
benefited by the second bidding. but the firms aly
poses their Neids and reduces the chances Of get
WE It is hsr ed
the government. There indications that the de-
Construction Of the brooklyn dock at favorable
rates. on account OF this second bidding II Is
TO do the work the day labor plan.
VESSELS ORDERED OUT OF COMMISSION
Orders have been issued by the Navy Department to
put out of commission the cruisers San Francisco
New-Orieans and Atlanta and the Eunc"at Mari
eta The San Francisco and the New-Crlsans have
csro viii be put out Of commission at the Norfolk
Navy YARD and the &ew,Orleans at Mare Island
from the south Atlantic squadron and ordered to
the United States The Atlanta Will be PUT ont OF
Island.
DECISION ON MASSACHUSETTS ACCIDENT
Vindica ton for all the officers and men On the Mas
sachusetts is contained in the report Of the Board
appointed by the commandant of the League lslano
Navy Yard to Investigate the recent accident on
board that vessel in which the death Of several
men was caused by the blowing off of gasket.
to-day finds that there is no testimony "hlc IN
care or any knowledge Of defects in the boiler f,o or
its appurtenances, and that every p9ss.o sa he
men caught in the fire room, and the injured re-
ceived immediate and efficient care
Rust OF GENERAL KILPATRICK.-A mar
HE bust Of Major General Judson Fitzpatrick. OF
Civil War fame has been placed in the reception
room Of the Secretary of War. That action was
taken with the approval of Secretary Tart at the
request Of the widow of General Kpatrlck. now
iiytns at Imcerne Switzerland, acting through
Senator Elkins, of West Virginia me ousl was
made tbe meny Seare Of the family Although
pedestaI is somewhat disigured the bust itself is
IN fairly good condltloh
CAPTAIN PERsHING -HONORED-Captain
John ] Pershing, 10Th Cavalry, has been selected
hv tho War Department, military attache at
Toxic japan 10 succeed Lieutenant Co!onet WOOD
whose term of foreign duty has expired
ORDERS ISSUED.-The following army and navy
orders have been issued:
ARMY.
Major HENRY P RITZIUs. retired detailed for sIpsi
recruiting service Buffalo relieving Lieutenant
WILLIAM H c. BOWEN, 18th Infantry VINO Will
proceed his regiment
lieutenant Commander F w. KELLOGG. to nevy yaro.
New-York.
Lieutenant A r CHESTER. Hancock
Lieutenant C w DANFORTH retired. from St Louis
home
Pavmaster V s JACKSON, TO Isthnnian Canal Commits
Washington.
MOVEMENTS OF MAYA VESSELS.-The fol-
lowing movements Of vessels have been reported to
the Navy Department.
ARRIVED.
race,nber 1s-The Constellation the Powhatan and the
Narkeeta. Newport
Dscon,ber fe-The Missouri Newport News the New
Yorf at Coquimbo the Atlanta, at BaFoaoos'
December 20-The Villaobos. at Shanghai
SAILED
December ls-The Sterling. from Lambert Point for
December I9-The Powhatan and the Marietta from
EeTnort FOR New-York; the Wasp from Key west
for Guantanamo; the Atlanta, from Barbados Tor
Hampton Roads.
December 2O-The Scorpion from Portsmouth n H. Tor
Hampton Roads