Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19
Limits Of the Telephoto.

in the new military balloon the OtneI
day took with them the telephoto camera
which has been acquired from Europe.
where it is, used for military purposes.
This is a camera which takes long range
pictures with the effects Of short range
photography. and the tests which have
been conducted with the instrument
experts have come to the conclusion that
Il would be of great value in taking
pictures from distance. These previous
operations of the camera were from an
altitude such az the top Of the Washing
ton Monument. including scenes In the
neighborhood. and from the roof OF the
hotel at Fort Monroe on the day Of the
departure of the Atlantic fleet from
Hampton roads. The results were salts
factory on those occasions. but that was
far from the case when the camera was
used in the military balloon. 1t was
found. in the first place. that the nstru-
ment Is unwieldly and too large. and that
1t was difficult Of operation in consequence.
The constant vibration which occurs in a
balloon especially In ascent, makes II inn
possible to keep the camera in steady
position. The result was that the pictures
were blurred and owing to the mechan-
ism of the camera many or the pia'es
were logged. 1t is realized that some
other system will have to be used, and II
is thought that 1t will be necessary TO en-
ploy smaller camera and then enlarge
the pictures by photography afterward.
Gen. Funston's Next Assignment.
Brig Gen. Frederick Funston will be
placed in command Of the Army Service
Schools at Fort Leavenworth Kan. IN
the early fall to succeed Maj. Gen. C. b.
Hall. who retires on the 18th instant.
That detail is in line with the announced
policy of the War Department TO place
off in
schools in order that they may nave op.
portunity to gain military experience ana
knowledge The commandant is mainly
occupied with administrative duties ana
is not called upon to become an instructor
In, technical military subjects. a Work
that is amply provided for in the selec-
ton of skilled officers who have MADE
special study of the various chosen SUBJ
jects. Other officers who have been sus-
gested as suitable for the command al
Barry. commanding the Army OF CUBAN
Pacification. and Brig. Gen. ". s. Edger-
~ commanding the Department or
Dakota. 1t Is expected that both OF them
will eventually serve tour of duty FOR
two years at Fort Leavenworth.
Not to Be Sold for Taxes.
The municipal authorities OF New York
will not carry out the threat Of Con-
troller Metz to sell up Fort Hamilton at
the entrance to New York harbor unless
the federal government pays the assess
ment levied on the reservation for sewer
Improvements in the district of the fort.
Mr.. Metz has received a letter from At
torney General Bonaparte IN whlcn MS
attention was called to the fact that when
the state ceded the property to the FED.
eraI gOvernme ut in 1881 1t was provided
that the property shall be and continue
forever exone rated and discharged from
all taxes, assessments and other charges
which may be levied or imposed under the
authority OF the state.
AS result Of that communication Mr..
Metz thinks that there is nothing left for
him to do but to mark Oh the assessment
and charge it up to the city's profit and
loss account.
Progress on New Battleships.
The North Dakota. the 2O,OOO-ton battle
building Company at Quincy. Mass, Is
more than one-auarter completed, ac-
cording to a report received at the Navy
Department. Her keel was laid Decem-
Der 16 last The Delaware. a sister ship
to the North Dakota, was 1910 per cent
completed April 1. She is being built by
the Newport News Shipbui.ding and Dry
Dock Company OF Newport News, va.
Contract Surgeons Too Active.
Certain contract surgeons Of the army
are likely to get into trouble. They
showed too much activity. it Is asserted.
In the attempt to direct legislation while
Congress had under consideration the bill
for the increase of the army medical de-
partment Senator's and representatives
who had anything to do with that legisla-
ton were asked in numerous letters to
add to the bill the provisions regarded by
contract surgeons as necessary. at least
for their own interest. Some OF the sem
ators and representatives have sent cop
les Of the letters they received to the
geOns who have violated army regulations
may be reprimanded in an official letter.
Prizes for Military Essays.
The Military Service Institution of the
United States has awarded Its first prize
(gold medal, 500 and life membership to
Capt. A. w. Bjornstad, 2Sth United States
Infantry for best essay on THE Military
Necessities OF the United States and the
Best Provisions for Meeting Them" the
second prize tsilver medal. $50 and hon.
Orable mention) to Maj. w. y. Ellis. Coast
Artillery. The Santiago prize fof 1907
$500 has been awarded to Maj. 4. M.
Edwards, subsistence department.
Heavy Furniture for the Army.
Permanent heavy furniture will be as
signed to army officers quarters by the
quartermaster general under the direction
of the Secretary of War. All articles of
such furniture will be marked with the
number Of the quarters to which they
may be assigned, will be considered a
part of such quarters and will not be re-
moved therefrom Except for repair or
storage, or when the quarters are aban-
doned for use as officers quarters) with
out authority Of the Secretary Of War!
a memorandum receipt will be given by
an officer to whom quarters have been
assigned for the furniture therein sup
piled by the quar;ermaster's department,
and he will be responsible for its proper
care and will be charged with the amount
of any damage thereto other than tnat
incident to fair wear and tear.
Competitors From the Philippines.
For the first time the Philippine division
will send a team to the United States to
compete for places on the army cavalry
infantry teams which are to compete in