New-York tribune., 1906-07-09
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
lTr1m The Tribune Bureau.l

Washington July 8.
WORK FOR THE NAVY YARD.-Instructions
hare been sent 10 Naval Constructor W. j. BaX-
tsr head Of the department Of construction and
repair al the navy yard at Brooklyn, 10 proceed
without further delay with the work the battle
fhlD Connecticut and the collier Vestal It is eX-
pectea thar the Connecticut viii be ready for ser
vice within three months after the delay of about
ftat tine IN the completion Of the ship, owing to
TIE exhaustion Of the funds for the work as origf-
aaly allotted by Congress The collier viii be
balt by yard labor. the steel material to be pur-
chased under contract Bids for It viii be invited
next week by the Bureau Of Supplies and Accounts.
Al the same time a contract viii be awarded for
the sister collier. the Prometheus, 70 be built at
the Mare Island Navy Yard. where there has been
Installed travelling crane and other appliances
l5T snip construction The machinery 1oT the Two
coAefs Is already under way at the New YORK
yard This IS about the only construction work
,sloh is contemplated at the navy yarc az hfooh-
Flp although il may turn out that one OF the TWO
ssagong tugs authorized by Congress several years
Sso winch seem TO have been oVerlookeq IN I Ine
Navy Department. may be built al Brooklyn. The
Present. purpose. however, IS 70 nave botn tugs
Valt under contract
ALERT " COAST DEFENCES.-Offcers OF the
artillery corps viii not be particularly elated over
ne new order which viii shortly 60 into erect re-
Alhg 70 their work. Each year il is the practice
% Issue new Instructions regarding artillery prac-
dee as applied 10 the coast forts. The new con-
alon imposes more work than has hitherto been
ne case upon the coast artillerists They have for
Ie last year haa one week Of encannpment when
aaers and men left quarters and barracks and lived
q me rear of their guns under canvas. The food
vas cooked IN the open and they lived day and
Lghi in the attitude Of awaiting the unexpected
-s'in This system used in order to give every
-le an opportunity to see what would happen IN
-As OF war when with q small force available IL
.'-4a Dc necessary 70 stay beside the guns ready
:. - any einerge1cy The post commander arranged
y sudden calls which were intended to represent
= appearance of an enemy. II was found that tho
!. "a was most profitable. and during the next year
-a practice viii te extended 10 a period Of two
-A@ Inc time allowed each day for other exer-
I, VII be increased from one and one-half hours
t-oso Ay.IS, ana the weekly inspection Will take
o-gs instead of one, in order that there may be
ar5 eEailLati tion Of the intricate mechanism
ioesla aooIate exercises Of coast defence armament
6rns Win thorough trial Of the men in their
fse- =, ms imposes much more work than has
fls -, ~ case but L is regarded as necessary by
e-a es q personal efficiency with q thorough ac-
l5eTstsoI-Se with the appliances OF coast defence
-04AT JUDITH HARBOR.-The army engineers
-. e0lloent there is justice in the complaints
- - nave been made against them. principally
,sf Oo-oHel Willard. in charge OF the work. for
- 70 begin the construction Of the harbor OF
...lge a. Point Judith. Rhode Island. Reports re-
-, Al ne War Department allege that the prin-
- OOstacle has been created by an obstinate
~. "i'ef' VINO refuses 10 transfer 10 the govern
- sTlp Of beach essential 10 the project. The
-. e1aee of Tie condemnation proceedings has
rfl. .'ashed' but there opportunities Of appeal
ists ne possessor Of the property may choose TO
s,r,, any such action Will further postpone the
sl,, IN Of the project. The army engineers say
,s4 - - tlere has been some clever agitation OF
!so,,- ioh q delay. and the War Department has
lg numerous petitions and protests includ-
~ Iorfs - - sll0Is from the Board OF Trade Of
Alerssf T. ni-eFe there could not possibly be much
egnes---- - We project II is pointed out by the
le harto 1-sl lQe original authority for building
he cyf,ia 4" ar fun discretion in the matter and
1sst re- aie reminded that the army engineers
tIpFecisfas need the work, although II was not
lfiler - - ~ them at the time that il was a
tast II eLltI Sslcy- Since then they have not felt
With IL s Ias az all urgent and after consultation
-y tbe- s-4lic use authorities the army engineers
tlis FrLsl = no reason change their views on
tt fbeS -, OF course the project Is important
r. s iei .eei there Is no need Of hurrying the mat
Aent irsast 70 the extent OF imperilling govern
e hers ISIS by accepting land which is regarded
-ela az an exorbitant figure.
eh.-- -soI-I1 FOR OFFICERS.-Arrny officers and
sre "Ho are obliged TO attend the mano,uvres
e ,b"'hg the agitation for a bed roll similar
g ~. .affied b. the enlisted men, and known
Esn,. N44aEet roll. There will be some experi-
shls "'lA several samples OF such an article
slsD.-l- troops, including the regulars am de-
&C., Q; Tie New York National Guard, arc
a AoEnt Gretna. Penn, this summer.