The Mena weekly star., 1906-11-15
GREAT GUNS ARE USELESS
Those Used on Coast Notifications Would Not Last Through One
 Engagement.
ACCURACY LOST AFTER FEW ROUNDS
such is the statement Made to the War Department by Gen. Croxier Chief of Ordnnnce-He Recom- mends a IJ-Inch Gun With Less Initial Velocity.

Washington, Nov. 9.-That the 12- inch gun now in use at most of the coast Qualifications of the United States would not last through an en- gagement of two hours, the period that would elapse from the time the leading vessel of fleet would come within range until the last vessel would pass beyond the range of the guns, is the statement made by Brig. Gen. William Crozier, chief of ord aance, whose annual report was made public at the war department Thurs day.
 Gen Crozier thinks that 1t is of the utmost importance that some method be devised whereby the necessary gun power can be secured with less ex- pense than that involved in using the very high velocities of projectiles now employed, with the accompanying rapid wearing away of the rifling in such a manner as to destroy the ac- curacy of the gun after a few rounds. The 12-inch gun will last for about 60 rounds and as the gun Is capable of firing for a considerable interval al the rate of 45 rounds per hour 1t can be seen that the limit of the life of this gun could be reached In less than an hour and a. half.
 Similar statements can be made with regard to guns of smaller calibers, says the report, although as the cali Der diminishes the admissible velocity increases. By lowering the velocity of the 12-inch projectile from 2,500 feet to 2,250 feet per second, the life of the gun is increased to 200 rounds The penetration of armor is reduced by the process, that of the 12inch gun at 10000 yards coming down from about 10A inches to about nine inches and the range at which it's projectile would penetrate 12 inches of armor plate being reduced from about 5000 yards to about GOOD yards.
 The chief of ordnance states that it appears that by using in the situa. tions requiring the greatest power a l4-inch gun with 2,150 feet per second initial velocity, the army would secure a better gun and gun which would last four times as long. Gen Crozier states that the Taft board for the revision ofthe report of the Endicott board on coast defenses, recommended this gun and that the department has decided to use it in place of the 12 inch gun in situations where t-e highest power is required and the 12 inch gun as a maximum caliber has been abandoned.
 Gen. Crozier says that plans and specifications are in preparation for the army sasleless powder factory. for which congress at it's last session appropriated s165.000 and that upon the selection of the site the work oi erectioa lgi 5e pushed vigorously to completion but the site has not been selected.
 Tn speaking of small arms, the gen eral states the magazine rifle. 1905 model, with knife bayoner and reai sights has been issued to the troops in the Philippine Islands and will be issued to the troops in the states and the first issue recalled. As result oi tests during the year some changes have been made in auto-loading mag azine rifles which may eventually render them satisfactory for service use.