The Washington herald., 1915-05-02

a STRATEGY map of Central Europe. The
map is in four sheets, the scale being
incn to thirty-sX miles. This map is
based upon the latest foreign maps and
covers practically all areas now involved
in the European war. 1t shows forti-
ned areas. fortified naval bases, torpedo
boat stations or submarine bases. radio
stations, submarine cables principal, sec
ondary, and ordinary railway lines.
steamship lines, canals. rivers etc, cap
itals of Independent and dependent states,
chief places of administrative divisions,
and subdivisions; important towns. and
other localities are also properly differen-
tiated. All names have, as far as prac-
ticable. been Anglicized. The map Is
available for distribution to the public
from the office of the superintendent Of
documents, Government Printing Office.
at price of about thirty cents per copy.
The naval authorizes have not yet
completed their examination of the
bids received for furnishing the Navy
Department with one dirigible in &C
cordance with specifications drafted
by the experts. There is a possibility
that it may be found advisable to re-
ject all the bids and readvertise for
additional proposals. This is the first
time a modern dirigible has been
built in this country, and il is real
lied that the makers must solve some
problems which require time and care.
One phase of the situation which
also must be taken up is tina method
of carrying the dirigible on board
ship. This may be done by using
cradles on the deck as 10 dry
dock" the balloon. as il were. or 1t
may be towed-at least. at times
under which conditions it is not ex-
pected to interfere in any way with
the progress of the ship on account
of it's bulk and the influences of the
wind. II will always be easy to in
fate the dirigible and quickly make
IT ready for use.
After thorough test. under the
auspices of the Army Board of Ord
nance and Fertilization. of the "Fon-
tanamast.' telescoping ladder OF
German invention intended for obser-
walton purposes in the field artillery,
IL has been decided that this particu-
lar device is not suitable for the SER
vice. This ladder can be run up TO
height of forty feet. and at the top
is a seat and a shield for the observer.
1t is necessary for the field artillery
to possess an elevated position from
which to make the observations for
the direction of gun fire. and ii is
hoped to make some development of
tno metnOO winch Will answer tHc
purposes better than the imported
mechanism.
There has been developed at the
Rock Island Arsenal and forwarded
to the field artillery board for test
an observa tion ladder to be attached
to a three-inch field gun caisson.
This ladder is of sliding and folding
type, is provided with a shield. seat
for the observer. and a support for
ar oh inc II 10 d.
in three sections, the lower one hinged
at the front edge of the caisson chesr
and the upper sections telescoping
into the raised position. The height
is adjustable between approximately
fifteen and twenty-five feet. The lad
der or observation tower is of steel
construction and weighs. with it's at
tachments. approximately 500 pounds.
It is proposed to carry it on the Gals
son of the store wagon timber. this
having less weight than a timber
filled with ammunition.
The Navy Department has decided not
TO approve the requisition filed by the
authorities of the Naval Academy for an
allotment of funds sufficient to build a
ferryboat. contemplated for use between
the Naval Academy grounds and the OPP
posite shore. where is located the naval
engineering experimental station 1t is
not considered that the traffic Is sufi-
cient TO justify this draft upon naval ap-
preparations. at least at this time. and II
is believed that the available boats at
the Naval Acadey will suffice for the
purpose. II is probable that a ferryboat
will be authorized for use between the
Washington navy yard and the naval
proving ground at Indian Head. where
the demands on the transportation Of
employees and material have greatly in
creased OF late.
A national aeroplane competition is to
start on Independence Day, July 4. and
end on Columbus Day, October y, to be |