Evening star., 1927-10-07

their rattle, the men dropping prone
only their steel hats CliSieninE in the
sun, showing their position through
the smoke. All the while the hea W
artillery kept up the flank fire. mov-
ms slowly forward behind the troops.
The horse drawn artillery then
trotted and ratified onto the battle
front, dropped their guns and ammu-
milton. while the horses We're galloped
to the rear. Hundreds OF service
charges then We're fired from these
guns, manned by the 80 L. = Field
Artillery from Fort Hoyle Edgewood,
Md.
All Types OF Guns Fired
There were a series Of tirings from
all types of guns on the main front
in fixed positions. one charge from
each gun The howitzers were also
in this display. During this firing an
interested spectator, seeking van
tage point over the heads OF the
crowd, climbed on IA pile Of three inc h
prOjectiles, and when the detonatiOn
came the nrojeCtiles started TO roll.
precipItating the man into an undig-
mined roll to the ground and across
the concrete, riding the rolling shells
in much after the fashion that heavy
weights are rolled, until he came to
sudden stop on the railway ties,
where the shells couldn't roll any
more. This gave the crowd real
thrill, much TO the chagrin OF the
surprised Spectator, whose fellow
sightseers began to give wide berth
To the area. fearing that the projec-
tiles might be charged.
A brief period was allowed for ex-
a mil ms "a hn 9
were given relief for their ears and
the shock 70 their bodies by being
given opportunity to witness some of
the transportation equipment used
during the last war and some freak
ideas in equipment which were man
ufactured, hut found impracticable.
Here also We're all kinds of portable
machine shops and stUreroons neces-
sary to keep the mobile machinery
in action.
Then dinner and the night firing
The distant roar of planes at high
altitude was heard in the darkness
When it seemed the heavens became
AS bright as day, as six searchlight
beams pierced the sky. coming from
all directions. They swept about the
skies. Soon there shene out like Il
silver bird an airplane. and its
2
by one OF the searches. the other five
turned on it and they then kept it
centered where the beams crossed
and followed it all around the sky
until II came within the range of the
guns, which seemed to belch forth
lis of red fire. bursting their shrap-
mel IN the path of the plane. using
the same guns as were operated in
the morning display The shells ap-
parently were finding their mark and
finally one OF them cut the towline
and the sleeve came slowly down.
like a parachute, when some one in
the crowd called out why don't you
keep on shooting at it?' and another
fired back, They don't know how
high it Is now"
Signal Flares Released.
After this the plane released a
series of signal flares. A white one
lighted up the ground below. exposing
TO the aviators' view everything that
was going on below.
The airplane demonstrations an.
peared TO give the crowds its greatest
thrills. even though the ranges were
known. as well as the speed of the
planes. and the shooting down Of
piause, for although the target was
IL miles high, directly from the
ground, it was pa miles as the shells
travelled. But it was conceded to be
marvellous display and gave a vivid
idea of what implements will be at
hand for use in future wars, indicat.
ing also that there Is much to he de-
veloped, particularly in the anti.air.
craft work, when the plane would he
zigzagging right and left and up and
down and probably also be worrying
the land gunnerS materially by a
little pyrotechnic display of it's own.
Ihere was brief meeting Of the
Army Ordnance Association in the Ad.
mlnlstration Building. which was pre-
sided over by Benedict Crowell of
Cleveland, its president. 1t consisted
only or brief speeches by officials and
former officials.
Secretary Of War Davis expressed
the sincere appreciation OF the War
Department for the work that the
Army Ordnance Association is doing
for Industrial preparedness He said
that If the industrial strength OF the
country is brought into action. then
the United States need never fear any
enemy.
ACH OI MunlttOdlS ffOleCt.
Assistant Secretary of War Mac.
Nlder, who is in direct charge of the
munitions. said that the Army would
be in sad plight If 1t did not have
the backing of the associa toin. He
told his audience that the War De-
partment now was working on a
great munitions project, which it ex.
pected 10 have developed during the
year. which would call for annual an
preparations.
Former Representative Swagar
Sherley Of Kentucky, who was the
wartime chairman of the House ap-
preparations committee, said no more
important work could be done by the
industrial interests than to keep a
close contact with the War Depart.
ment, as~he said the Government
could not, in time of peace. afford to
maintain factories Of it's own for the
manufacture of munitions.
lie told Of an appropriation being
turned down before the world conflict
amounting to $5,0O0.000 for small
arms ammunition, and then added
approved an appropriation of $l0O..
OOO,oo0 Tor small arms target practice
ammunition alone.
Maj. Gen. Williams, chief of ord.
nance, and +. Trubee Dawson, AS
sistant Secretary OF War for aviation,
also spoke. expressing appreciation of
the department for the work that the
ordnance associa ton is doing.