Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1871-11-30
Synopsis Of the War Department
-s Report,

-s Report.
The following summary give the most
important and interesting facts con-
tanned in the report, by the War Depart
ment, of its operations during the past
year. First in interest, this year, is the
essentially new work of the Signal
Corps, better known and appreciated
popularity as the Weather Bureau" J"
This latter work, however, grew out of
the military signaling, to which, during
and since the war, the Government has
wisely given great attention and it is
for this reason that it is under the Gus
tody of the War Office.
Great progress has been made by the
Signal Office in the development of the
army signal service, for which a train
ing-school is in operation at Fort Whip
pie, Va, and it is recommended that
the study be made at West Point, one
which shall enter into the decision of
standing. But the great advance has
been in the weather reports, the trans
mission from "a stations) and publica-
ton of which was first put in practice
Nov. l, 1870. The issue of synopses and
probabilities three times a day has been
continued since February 20, and,
through the press, 100000 copies
have been laid before the public. Of
the probabilities SO per cent. have been
verified by the result, and p per cent.
in addition partially verified, strikingly
showing the usefulness of the work.
But for the haste necessitated, the per-
centage of verifcations might have
been far greater, but reports taken at
all stations at 11:35 p. m. are telegraphed
to Washington, collated, and the deduc-
tions made are furnished the press at
a. m. r-r.-.
Observers have been detailed for Capt.
Halls Arctic expedition, and for Mount
Washington, butt is proposed to oextend
the cynchronaf system by seeking the
assistance of ship captains, to place sta
tions at Pembina, Sitka, or the Sand
wich Islands, and ultimately to develop
an international system which shall Sc
cure reports of storms approaching
from the West Indies, the Windward
Islands, and the coast of South Africa.
A communication is now had direct
from the Signal Office at Washington
with the coast of the Pacific on the
west and eastward to the coast of China
and Japan the one link OF the Pacific
cable being wanted to girdle the world.
To Prof. Cleveland Able the country is
indebted for the accurate prophecies of
the weather; Prof. 7. B. Maury's work
is well known.
Danger signals are now displayed
from 20 ports on the Atlantic, Gulf and
Lakes. The rise and fall of Western
rivers is also to be reported hereafter,
and there are 60 stations throughout
the country to extend the benefits of
this system to the agricultural commu-
nifty. Doubtless, enough property has
been saved this year by this means to
more than pay the total expenditure
for the weather service. 49,.
The Quartermaster-G General reports
that $l2, ,45O,025 have been appropriated
and disbursed during the year, while
there remain to be settled 5,055 money
accounts, and 1915 property returns.
Gen. Meigs calls attention to the fact
that it is important to keep the greater
disbursements in the hands of bonded
officers, and the necessity, under the
present circumstances, of awarding ex-
ira compensation to acting assistants,
that the duty may be sure not to be
shirked.
During the year, 1,763 horses were
purchased for the cavalry, at a cost of
$166, ,6S9.24. The average price in Tex
as was $69.36; in the Department of
Columbia, $75; Department of the
Platte, $135.13; Departments of the
fornia, $162.49. transportation for the
year has cost $1.99S, ,916.35, of which
$l,136, ,360.64 was for services over the
Pacific Railroads. ..
OF the Southern railroads which were
allowed to purchase for the United
States, 27 have paid their debts in full,
with interest, amounting to $2,465,-
567.93. Twenty-four are still in debt to
the United States, the amount due
being $4,724 ,350.53. ..-..
War claims for Quartermaster's stores
from loyal citizens number 29,039, in,
volving $l7,S11 ,141.56 1850 have been
settled for $2,O7S O83.05; 1928 have
been rejected, costing $S, ,308, ,254.07
6,231 are suspended, ami on 1885 nc
decision has yet been reached.
There are "A national military GENE
teries and 3l6 private and post ceme
teries. The number of graves is 317 $50
During the past year the graves of :, ,29s
not before reported have been discov
cred, and the remains have been trans
ferred to national cemeteries.
The Commissary- Generals report il
about the same as last year. There is {
| good suggestion that the rations of the
army be varied according to varied
| hygienic conditions but we read tina
| UAAO AiSho OOO1 OASOpG1OAlehAAy wei
supplied during the year.
| Purchases of beef were made in 4
different States and Territories. Th,
lowest average was in Texas, Al cent
per pound, and the highest in Delaware
-16 cents per pound. The average con
tract price per pound for the who'll
country was 11.09 cents. The averag
cost price of rations for the whole coun
try was 19 $1,000 cents, each being
decrease from last year of 97-100 cents
These figures are valuable in connection
with the general cost of living.
The Chief of Ordnance reports as t
the arsenals, ETC., and suggests that tn
armament of the State troops shoul
be the same as that of the Nations
forces, who now use breech-loadin
small arms. He requests legislation O
the subject of arming and equippin
the militia of the United States, an
reports that heavy cannon for sea coa'
defenses are much wanted, and thu
castiron is not believed to be suitabl
for heavy rihed guns.
The PaymasterG General has disburse
SIS, $780, ,9O1.43 to the army (includir
West Point), and $2,6S3, l73.44 to volu1
teers for back pay and bounties. II
army has been fully paid.
The health of the army, by the r
port OF the Surgeon General, has n
| l., !, Il h