New-York tribune., 1907-10-18
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
Force at WaterUIet arsenal To Be
Increased
From The Tribune EureJul
Nnollrrtnr u.

Washington. october II.
ARMY ARSENAL EFFICIENT-The force Of
workmen at the Watervl!et arsenal will be in
creased. In the last year fifty men OF the
force were laid of reducing the employees to 800.
II viii be necessary TO add 10 the force On account
OF a large order which has been placed by the
Navy Department AZ this army arsenal for con-
struction Of the new 21-inch torpedo tubes. The
reports received by the War Department from tho
Watcrvliet arsenal make the gratifying record Of
a comparatively low cost of production. There was
some question whether the work at this govern
mont plant did not cost more than work done under
contract, aud the comparison Of results at Water
vliet with outside prices important havin;
influence the policy OF the War Department
In the manufacture Of rs heavy guns. The plant
NJ that place has been improved in the last year
the addition Of machinery. Notwithstanding
the decreased force the low cost Of production At
this arsenal has been gratifying comparing ad
vantaroousy with the prices paid 70 private estab
Iishmeuts for similar articles Of manufacture, and
this despite the high price paid for labor at govern
ment establishments resulting from short hours,
numerous holidays and vacations.
ANTIQUATED DRYDOCKS.-The naval officers
who have to do with the old timber drydocks at
some or the navy Yards are reporting that most Of
them are IN n state Of preliminary decay. II will
require an expenditure Of $25o0Oo for instance. to
put the drydock at New York in condition for con-
tinued use This work Of preservation must be
carried on regularly on all the timber drydOcks.
on some of the older docks there Will have to be
reconstruction. principally in the way Of lengthen-
|, ing the structure, In order TO accommodate the
sIIps now being built and about TO he designed.
The older docks will not be large enough TO accom-
r,odate the newest ships 1t is out of the question
to increase draft of the old docks without going
10 great expense and practically rebuilding the
docks. II will be cheaper and less FISK 10 con-
str,ct new docks but most OF the docks can be
IeuEthened and in the newest type the provision
,s made that the land end may be extended. Where
+ris & not Dossible there will be seaward extern
sion.
c0RROSION By EXPLCSIVEs.-The army ord
nance officers have been engaged for some time IN
experiments with samples OF powder III oFuer 10
study the influence OF each type on the barrel OF
the rife II is found that some powders erode
more than others and II was desired TO get the
best results possible from the powder with 'he
least amount of such effect on the small arms
There were also qualities which had direct IN
fuence on the flight of tho bullet The SITUATION
was complicated by the fact that the lighter weight
Of the new bullet permitted tho use or larger
charge Of powder, which gave greater velocity 10
tho missile but it was also found that the larger
charge eroded the barrel of the rife to an extent
tbst constituted a serious problem. Tests have
heen carried on mostly at the armory IN spring
field Mass with powders containing varying per
centages of ntroEycerine. including samples that
contain no nitrogycerine at all 1t is now reported
nv the Investigators that they have found Il powder
which answers all the purposes. giving the desired
results In the way of velocity and accuracy and at
the same time producing litue erosion as possi-
BILE The results of the experiments are OF much
Importance.
ORDERS IssCED-The following orders have
been issued:
ARMY
Captain WILLIAM s. VALENTINE paymaster. from
- PhnGs to oR6o oHSsfo sd Cavalry to
Fort Riley mounted service school as assistant in
structor IN riding. - - - - -
fantry found physically disqualified for duty
nrst lieutenant. and his retirement is announced
Captain HORTON W. STICKLE, of engineers.
10 Culebra canal zone for construction Gatun locks
NAVY.
Kentucky: the Constellation as executive officer
ana additional duty naval training station
Lieutenant Commander H A WILEY. detached the
constellation naval training station; 10 the Ken
1tspterant Commander W. X. GISE detached the Dol
hin. "a the ohio as ordnance officer.
Lieutenant Commander N r OlMSrED. 20 Naval
Academy.
MARINE CORPS.
Major DION WILLIAMS detached headquarters; to the
connecticut, to command marine detachment and as
,,,,nr neE w g NEVILLE detached Connecticut:
First lieutenant r.. o. UNpERwooD: detached head
r,a 9u1 ,s,tsrant C. r. sANDERsoN detached head
quarters; to Marine Barracks. Washington
MOVEMENTS OF wARSHIPs.-The following
movements of vessels have been reported TO the
Navy Department: -
Oct 1e-The Potomac. at Boston and at Portsmouth
goa and the louisiana at the navy yard, New York
SAILED.
oct l6-The Cesar. from philadelphia. for Bradford;
Tacoma. from cape Goa SAY ,3h Ior NoI,h IN5r
the Arethusa Boston, for Tompkinsvllle the
" eraan ordered in rssey'e. navy yard. NsrtolH-