Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-16

installed until some time after the work
on the collier was we'll under way at New
York. The two tugbOatS, according to lat
est reports, were at the same stage of
completion, IS per cent.
Guns for Warships.
The bureau of ordnance, Navy Depart
ment. has been informed of the shipment
from the gun foundry. Washington navy
yard. OF six 3-pounder guns and mounts
for the battleship Idaho at League Island
Pa. one Pinch rifle for the battleship
New Hampshire. and two 6-inch rifles for
the battleship Montana at Newport News
Va.
Vacancies to Be Filled.
Arrangements are being made by the
army medical officers for an examna-
ton to be held about the list of May of
candidates for appointment to the junior
grade of the corps. By the time the
examination takes pldce there will be
about thirty vacancies in the medical de-
partment. including several caused by
designations.
Kansas Wheat for Army.
The commissary general of the army
has decided to purchase for shipment to
the Philippines. Kansas wheat, mixed with
California flour. That means that no
more contracts will be made fo- Aus
traian four| which has hitherto been
shipped to the islands, The Kansas Cali
fOrnian blend has been found equal to
the Australian product. and it is the
policy of the government to buy military
supplies of domestic sources wherever
possible.
Important Military Depot.
Plans and specifications have been
completed in the quartermaster generals
office COR extensive work at Fort Mason.
San Francisco, Cal, where will be estab-
lished a general military supply depot.
Congress has authorized an expenditure
of 81, 500 600 for the construction of build
ings and piers at that place. 1t will be
the most important shipping point and
t-Oop-transfer station in the country.
Sailor Commended for Calamity.
Secretary Metcalf has written a letter
to James Trainor, chief master alarms
on the L. S. s. Washington. heartily
commenting him for his gallant action
in unhesitatingly jumping overheard to
the rescue of a shipmate in the harbor
of Royan, France. last summer In re-
porting that incident to the Navy De-
partment Capt. T. Porter, who was then
in command of the Washington. said:
has displayed extraordinary courage in
an emergency. His good conduct in
time of danger was particularly con-
spicuous at the fire at the League Is
land navy yard in March last. where, in
endeavoring to save government prop
erty. he placed his life in danger. as in
this instance he risked his life to save
that of another
Midshipmen Found Deficient.
At the semi annual examinations con-
Quoted at the Naval Academy during
the latter part Of January about thirty
midshipmen We're found so FAR behind
in their studies that their designations
may be asked for The unfortunate
ones are principally members OF the
fourth class. The number of direct fail
ures is somewhat larger than last year
There will be few, if any. midshipmen
turned back into lower class
Pneumatic Ammunition HOSTS.
The Navy Department has arranged to
test a pneumatic ammunition hoist for
S-inch guns on warships. The hoist Is
being built by a Boston concern with the
understanding that it will be adopted by
the department if successful. With this
hoist communication between the maya
zine and the gun is effectually blocked and
the movement of the charge is expedited.
1t is explained that the ammunition car
is sent from the magazine to the turret