the fortifications of Havana. The men who fly the kites can remain out
of sight of the forts; and the kite will be such a small mark and so
high up in the air as to be very difficult to hit with a rifle-ball.

* * * * *

After a great deal of discussion in Congress, and many delays in
finishing our war-ships because of the price asked for armor by the
large armor companies, it was decided that the maximum rate--that is,
the highest price--that the Government would pay should be $400 per ton;
until this change was made neither of the great armor-plate
manufacturers would bid, and, as a result, armor was not obtainable. May
24th, bids were opened for supplying the three battle-ships, _Illinois_,
_Alabama_, and _Wisconsin_, now being constructed by the Union Iron
Works, Newport News. About a year ago the Government advertised for bids
for supplying this armor, but no bids were received because Congress had
made the limit of price too low. Bids opened on the 24th were from two
companies, the Bethlehem Iron Works and Carnegie & Co. It is evident
that an arrangement had been entered into between the two, as one
company bid to supply the armor for the _Alabama_, and the other for the
_Wisconsin_, the bids in each case being the same--that is, at the
maximum price of $400 per ton.

The armor for the _Alabama_ will cost $1,022,504; that for the
_Wisconsin_, $1,023,504; the first of this armor will be delivered in
about seven months, and thereafter about 300 tons will be delivered
monthly. At this rate it will be about fifteen months before the last of
the armor is ready.

* * * * *