The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-08
WOULD NOT LAST TWO HOURS.
General Crozier Says Twelve Inch Guns
Are Almost Worthless.


Washington. Nov. S.-That the r.
inch gun now in use at most of the
coast Qualifications Of the United States
would not last through an engagement
or two hours. the period that would
lapse from the time the leading vessel
of a fleet would come within the range
until the last vessel would pass beyond
the range of the guns. Is the statement
made by Brigadier General William
Arozier, chief Of ordnance whose an
nual report was made public at the war
department today.
General Crozier thinks that it is of the
utmost Importance that some method be
devised whereby the necessary gun
power can be secured with less ex-
pense han that involved in using the
very high velOcities Of projectiles now
employed, with the accompanying rapid
wearing away of the rihing in such a
manner as to destroy the accuracy Of
the gun after a few rounds, The -
inch gun VIII last for about 60 rounds
ana as the gun is capable of firing for
q considerable interval at the rate Of
20 rounds Per hour it can be seen that
the limit Of the life of this u could
be reached in less than an hour and a
hal1. similar statements can be made
with regard to guns Of smaller caliber.
says me report although as the calibre
diminlshes the admissible velocity in
creases. BY lowering the velocity of
the l2-inch projectile from $500 feet to
$3.50 feet per second, the life Of the
u IS Increased to 200 rounds, The
penetration Of armOr is reduced bv the
process, that of the 12-inch gun at
10000 yards coming down from about
lV1R inches to about 9 inches and the
range at which its prOjectile would pen
citrate u inches of armor plate being
reduced from about 5000 Yards to aboJf
5000 yards.
The chief of ordnance states that it
appears that by using in the situations
requiring the greatest mower a 1A-fnoh
EHTn WIN HHN Eaar E1Da-I a-T--=A-
of pro1ectue instead of the pinch gun
with 2,500 feet per second initial Neloc-
1t4, % arn1y would secure a better
u and a gun which would last four
times as long. General Crozier states
that the Taft board for the revision of
the report Of the Fndicott hoard on
coast defenses. recommended his grn
and that the department has decided to
use it in place nj the 12-inCh gun In SIT
uations where the highest power is re-
qulred n the Pinch gun as a maxi
mum ealibre has been abandoned.
General Crozier says that plans and
specifications are IN preparation for the
army smokeless powder factory for
which congress at its last session an
propriated 1856, 000 and that upon the
selection Of the site the work of erec-
ton VIII be pushed vigorously to com
p~letion. but b site has not been Sc
lected.
in speaking Of small arms, the gen
eraI states. the magazine rife. 1902
fnOUeii WAS 6uppleu to the regular
troops in the United States for their
use during the target practice and that
the improved rife OF 1905 model. with
knife bayOnet and rear sights has been
issued to h troops in the Philippine
islands and will be issued to the troops
IN the states n the first issue recalled.
AS a result of tests during the year some
changes have been made in auto-load-
ing magazine rifles which may event
ually render them satisfactory for ser
vice use. The manufacture of small
arms ammunition is somewhat more Ok
pensive than formerly due TO the in
crease in the cost OF brass and lead.
Among the changes made IA the eouip-
ment issued to cavalry, infantry and ar
tilery during the year was that of the
cup which was formerly made Of stael
heavily timed ard which Is now made
of aluminium adopted after an extern
sive service trial.
General Crozier states that a num-
Der OF militia batteries have been sup
piled with the new 3-inch field artil-
fery material and others are being rap
IDLY furnished with it.
In a chapter in regard to the person
rel Genera Crozier refers to the act
OF June 25, last. authorizing details from
the me to that department after exam
nation and says shat under the stimu.
ius Of that law. the personnel Will be
recruited as rapidly as the consideration
fhat too many officers shall not 20 out
Il the same time by expiration OF de-
saSl renders desirable.