New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-01
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES
Armor and Ornament for Merit
Huge Bdttleships.
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington, January 81.
GREATEST OFFENCE AND DEFENCE.-Ths
naval ordnance officers have completed the tenta-
tive plans for the armor and armament Of the
zs, cotton battleship Of which ships to be
built IL the Senate approves the provision for in
crease of the navy 1t passed the House in the
naval appropriation bill. In the estimates which
have been drawn in the bureau OF ordnance It is
proposed 10 have three additional guns to meet
emergencies. The armament includes twenty-five
6-inch guns secondary battery Of the 2s oo-ton
ship IN other respects the armament including
rapid FIRE guns repel torpedo attack and the
torpedo outfit. viii be the IN the case of
tn. Florida and the Utah. Provision is also made
the 2soooton bettleship for the installation OF
the fire control system which has bean under prac-
teal the Mississippi and the Idaho It is
estimated that the srmor will amount 10 nearly
seven thousand tons, and il is desired to have
Congress at this session appropriate enough money
to furnish tWo-thirds of the and three
fourths OF the armament. The decision have
12-inch guns instead of 1+inch guns simpifies the
problem in q substantial measure for the ordnance
experts. design has been made of the 14-inch
gun. but there will be delay in constructing
a gun of this calibre inasmuch would have
be built for trial. No apprehension Is enter
tanned BY the ordnance experts concerning the gun.
but special provision would have to be made for
assembling Of the details being the raising
the roof Of the gun factory at the Washington
navy yard.
WEST POINT IMPRovBMENT.-The authori-
ties at the Military Academy have been seeking
some means by which the West Shore Railroad
may be compelled move certain of its tracks so
permit extension OF the target range at
West Point. The railroad has refused to accede to
the demand. and Il has been found that under the
contract existing between the government and the
railroad. It is possible for ths Secretary OF War
T. require the removal without involving the gov
eminent in much expense. Negotiations have been
begun by Colonel H L Scott, the superintendent
OF the Military Academy. with a view to coming
terms, and he has been informed that the cost
OF the proposed would be not less than S2o00oO.
according estimate furnished by the railroad
engineers. Colonel Scott, the other hand. has
informed the railroad authorities that ne regards
900 as sufficient cover the expense involved
There is little hope, according 10 reports received
at the War Department from West Point. of the
officials of the academy coming 10 agreement
with the railroad. II has been found that the
transfer of the tracks offers the only means OF e1-
tending the target range and Surrounding rSdct
target practice with all the necessary precautions
against disaster on account OF firing The mater
has been referred by Colonel Scott TO the members
OF the House and Senate Military committees, who
constituted this years board of visitors 20 west
Point
SCOUT RACE AGAIN DELAYED.-Ths COM
parative endurance runs OF the three naval scou,
cruisers tbs Chester. the birmingham and the
Salem Ia not likely take place until after April
/ according to present indications one OK the
causes of delay is the repairs which must be made
TO the Chester. and Il will also be necessary to
conduct certain evaporation tests Of the boilers
OF that Ship which tests Will take place at the
navy yard at Brooklyn.
MINUS MILITARY MILEAGE-The War De-
partroent authorities much exercised over the
prospect that Congress VIII not increase the al"
lotment 10 be made this year for mileage recom-
nendation has been made by the paymaster gen.
erai of the army increasing the sum OF last year
sepooOo-by 5000 to meet the increasing travel
which is performed by officers under orders, and
for which they entitled to the allowance for
mileage Great difficulty has been encounterfd BY
the War Department in keeping the cfhcal travel
Of the commissioned personnel within tbs limit
which Is prescribed BIZ the appropriation for nile
age and every year there has been deficiency es>
innate There would have been one This year had
It not been that the House Appropriations Com
miftee sfgnifed its intention 70 allow no deficiency
appropriation on account Of mileage. II has been
insisted that the military administration could keep
The official travel of army officers within the al
Iniment Those in charge Of the funds gay there Is
constant friction in the resistance OF encroach-
meuts upon the mileage fund which Will exhaust
the appropriation long before the end of the fiscal
year. The War Department is periodically engaged
in adjusting this troublesome matter. and now II
seams TO have assumed grave proportions in re-
ourins exercise of special economy.