The sun., 1909-06-14
INSPECTS SANDY HOOK FORT
SECRETARY DICKINSON MUCH
INTERESTED IN NINE PLANTER



Good Shape Gen. Wood Goes Down
TO Luncheon with Hin Secretarys
FIag Got wei AMI lie Let " Here.
j. NJ Dickinson, Secretary OF War,
left New York for Washington at o o clock
last night after spending two days in
inspecting Fort Hancock and the proving
grounds at Sandy Hook.
Il haven't much to say just yet said
Secretary Dickinson to a Sun reporter
after he had left Sandy Hook. 1T is
all new to me and all interesting have
enjoyed the trip immensely. saw every
thing could see In the time had. I've
got lot to learn before / am qualified
to talk. will say this, however The
service is in excellent shape. Efficient
officers have been working steadily for
years to make the service good and they
have succeeded"
The Secretary had spent every minute
Of time that he could in examining things
and asking questions about them. He
saw everything. from the Government
railroad that runs out to the Hook to the
newest mine planter. the General Royal
r. Frank.
We could hardly drag him away from
that" said one Of the party. "He saw
everything there was to see about it and
asked questions about everything he
saw"
Secretary Dickinson went to Sandy
Hook on Saturday afternoon after re-
viewing the parade at the opening of the
Greensboro Bridge. He was met at
Twenty third street and the North River
bv Capt. Sewer of the Coast Artillery,
with the District Commanders boat. the
General Harvey Brown. In the Secre-
tary's party were Mrs. Dickinson. Gen:
William Crozier, Chief of Ordnance. and
Mrs. and MIR. j. II. Overton OF Nashville.
Mrs. Overton 10 Mrs. Dickinson s sister.
The party went direct to the Hook,
AS Secretary Dickinson landed u salute
was fired from the field guns. Col. Henry
Harris, commanding the Southern Artil.
lery district OF New ork Carbor. welcomed
the party. He had the troops drawn
up on the wharf. and the men presented
arms as the Secretary appeared. Then
the soldiers. preceded by the post band.
escorted the party in their carriages to
the Brick HOUSE, the headquarters
building OF the ordnance department;
In the evening reception was given
and ladies OF the'post.
Sunday the Secretary spent in inspect
ing the ordnance proving grounds: the
machine shops and the fortifcations.
Gen. Leonard A. Wood. commanding
officer OF the Department of the East.
and Mrs. Wood arrived from Governors
Island in the forenoon and lunched with
the Secretary at the Brick House. At
$50 o'clock the Secretary's party bade
farewell to their host. Col. Roger birnie,
who is in command OF the proving
grounds. and left for Governors Island.
Capt. Sewer and Lieuts; Walter Wilhelm
and B. o. Mahaffey Of the ordnance do
partment accompanied the party.
The steamer touched at Governors
Island just long enough to let Gen: Wood
and Mrs Wood ashore. Then Il headed
for the Pennsylvania Railroad station
In Jersey City.
Just az Secretary Dickinson was taking
leave OF the local officers who were with
him he discovered that he had forgotten
his nag. It was still flying at the fore
peak Of the General Harvey Brown. A
sailor ran back and hauled it down. but
the fiag WAS drenched and the Secretary
could not take 1t with him. He gave 1t
into Capt Sewers keeping. with the in