McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1918-04-05

more than so per cent Of the firinf
speed Of the MODIFIED Enfield adopted
for the United States service.
The superiority claimed for ths
American weapon Is supported or
three counts: Quicker firing as a re
suit Of bolt-handle design, easier and
quicker sighting as a result Of sigh,
design. greater accuracy Of bullet
flight resulting from bullet design and
greater mechanical accuracy of cham
Der and bore.
A summary of the work of the gun
division Of the bureau OF ordnance
shows II has been necessary to equip
10 large plants for manufacture Of
mobile artillery cannon. The total
program of the gun division calls for
an expenditure Of nearly $4,000. 000, 900
The major projects have included:
Construction of smokless powder
plants In face of the necessity OF
doubling the present output. These
are now under way.
Expenditure of approximately $40,-
100000 for plant facilities to manu-
facture artillery cannon, with an es.
innate that $30O,OO0,00O will be spent
for cannon alone within two years
after the beginning Of the war.
Preparations for the erection OF
plants to extract toluol from the illu'
minating gas being furnished cities BY
private gas companies.
Conservation Of the supply Of am.
monium nitrate and acids and con.
struction at government expense Of a
plant for the fixation of nitrogen and
Its Anal conversion into ammonium
nitrate.
Construction, now undertaken, Of a
gas filling plant to cost approximately
100000 and five large shell filing
plants with total cost Of $4,000. 600.
A special farm-service division Is be.
Ing established in most of the 100 Of
Aces Of the United States employment
service as one of the plans for meet
Ing the labor requirements of the
farmers. Special field agents are be.
Ing sent into districts where acute
farm-labor shortage exists or where
unusually large numbers will be need
ed. e
A weekly bulletin will be issued In
which opportunities for farm employ
ment and the needs Of certain districts
will be listed. Posters announcing the
location of federal and state employ
ment Offices are being hung In post
Offices. railway stations, and other pub
lie places.
All third and fourth class post Of.
fees, Of which there are $1,000. are
now authorized farm-labor employ
ment Offices. During the harvest sea-
son In certain states temporary Offices
will be opened In a number Of cities
FOR the purpose Of furnishing accu'
rate information as to where harvest
hands are needed.
A weekly report Of farm-labor con-
ditions is being sent to the main Office
at Washington by all the branch Of
fices and by many state employment
Offices.
The use Of gas as a substitute for
gasoline for motor traction is increas.
ing in England. According to a re-
port to the United States department
Of commerce about 4,5O0 commercial
vehicles have already been equipped
to run on coal gas, with an estimated
saving Of gasoline of 100000 gallons
year.
Over 20 large companies are manufac-
turing airplanes, Is are producing en-
gines, and more than 400 are produc-
ing spare parts, accessories, and sup
piles.
Naval training camps have a capac-
ity Of 100000 in summer. $4,000 men
In winter.
In l6 environments 650.0OO,OOO feet
Of lumber we're used.
Paymaster general Of the navy drew
checks for more than $30000.0O0 In
one day-February 23-for munitions
total advertised purchases for the
navy for 1915 were $19.O00.000.
During February, with % business
days, $13,S7S,S11 were loaned to farm
ers by the federal land banks. accord
ing to a statement of the farm loan
hoard. This Is $2,091, 294 more than
the January total.
On March / the total amount of
mortgage loans placed since the es-
tablishment of the federal land banks
Is $64, 1882 343. covering 2S,495 loans.
Since the declaration of war 1851
employees of the department of COM
merce have entered military and naval
services.
Reports are received every two
weeks by the food administration
from the 10 binder Irvine establish
ments Of the country. According to
a recent statement there will be an
ample supply Of Irvine for the 191s
harvest.
A nationwide organization Of mer'
chants Is being made to promote sales
of war-savings securities in dry goods
and department stores.