New-York tribune., 1874-12-02
THE QUARTERMAS S1ER-GENERADS
DEPARTMENT..

ANNUAL REPORT OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ERAL MEIGS.
TIE EXPENDITURES OF THE DEPARTMENT CoNslD-
ERABLY REDUCED DURING THE YEAR-REcoM-
MENDATIoN THAT AN ALLOWANCE BE GIVEN TO
OFFICERS DETAILED AS ASSISTANT QUA';rERMAs-
TERs-THE INDEBTEDNESS OF RAILROADS TO THE
DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON Dec. 1T appears from the
report Of, QuarermasterG General Megs that the ac-
counts and vouchers which have been examined since
the last annual report show disbursements TO the
amount of 363 Accounts for the fiscal year end
ing JAN 80, 1874 the amount Of 1904 900 had been
examined by the time the expired The appropria
tons for the year amounted s5i990O0. Three thou
sand and ffty-seven money accounts were received
during the fiscal year. LIS In the Oice at the be-
ginning of the year. OF these 1857 examined and
dis sposed Of remained oxamiu6d on June So
last Furty-seyen hundred and twcnty-tbrce prop
erty returns were examined, le4Vnt only
The recent changes in the laws aud regulations have
very much increased tie Labor OF examining the ac-
counts and Formerly the administrative *
animation only WAS made here in order 10 determine
the prOprety OF expenditures, ana cecK anu d'aioW
all expenditures objects not sanctioned 10y la" ana
regulations and orders ana all purchases AMI payments
at extravagan and improper rates Inc tash u hhii
cnrmatons and details of vouchers tue alb
rectnes of accounts current was lett 10 the treasurer
charged with the final settlement OF accounts Inc ex
amratons of tile QlartCr ter Generals ON were
final by pointing out any and all lnproprle
ties discovered by this administrative exaiuhatiJn
Under the act OF the 23i OF june lSlo Tor tue set'e
rent OF accounts for disbursements during the war oy
officers hnal settlements have been delayed IN
haste aud occupation OF military operations on great
scale, bur invOlviug 10 fraud or intehtona wrons'
DOING 2si settlements nave peeh maue ons Iuo year,
involving s99,Sio
MEASURES OF ECONOMY.
Very stringent were taken In order to pre-
vent the incurrng OF debts liabilities beyond the
amount appropriations granted BY Congress for the
service Of the QlartermasJerGeneraP Department.
During the month of June last the employment OF sol
dcrs extra duty was In a great measure stopped.
The repair OF buildings, and the purchase OF material
repair aud the construction of new buildings,
requiring tie aid OF skilled labor was arrested Many
clerks other civilians employed. and very necessary
the eicent support and maintenance OF the army,
the wages OF those retained were reduced
Tns reduction was suDmiited to from necessity oy the
men employed the ronter and at all military posts
during time OF general depression or industry, when
1t difficult for one out OF place to 1nd new employ
These measures, while they produced much In
convenience, caused somo suffering, aud FOR want OF
means OF taking care OF te puDc property caused some
loss, least generally successful IN preventing
any excess OF liabilities over tho appropriations Tho
actual total expense OF the uarermaste Department
have been very considerably less than the amount ap
proprated though in Tho specific appropriation for met
liability estimated at S0OO has been
incurred IN Of THIS particular appropriation.
Tue Quartermastsr General again calls attention to
the exnse aud emDaIrassment TO the military service
parIment under a general 6rdeF, ID keep separate
accounts every separate appropriation on account
of which they dsburse money. Inc evils system
well shown In the report or the Committee OF tue
House OF REPRESENTATIVES on Expenditures War
Department The corps of officers upon whom all the
dulles OF the Department fall has been reduced until
activity and ability is needed. Its rank should now be
opened to promotion aud appointment Many oihcers
OF the line, finding themselves charged with heavy
responsibilities acting Assistant Quartermasters aud
having insufficient assistance at frontier posts ask that
the enlistment OF post ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS be
allowed by law. SuCn n0ucOmtns SIOnel Officers, Sc
lected for experience and fidelity shown IN actual
service, would be very useful Tney would remain at
the post OF the property when the garrison
changed, and would thus preserve q knowledge and
responsibility now often lost through tho frequent
change OF officers. Such officers ask that some CON-
be granted them Tor the rIsK which they
incur IN the disbursement or public moneys for the
responsibility involved IN tae care OF largo amounts VI
Tho olartsrmaster- General renews tho recornmenda
tion allowance OF $40 per month be made in sd
dton pay OF officer who Is detailed by
OF = military post when such deal Is property reported
10 aud approved by the War Dopaft tment Suca an
allowance is only lust and would relieve the service
from the feeling that ncavy duties imposed by such
detail without any recognition or compensation. such
duties are important aud should be sought by good
officers ana imposed the slohfu unwilling Dur
Sl officers OF the line bave performed ddy
IN the Department AZ acting Assistant nsrterms
T1o officers OF tho regular estabsAmont VI the Quarter
masters Department. ali OF whom nave served through
the late war aud have had much Eperience sta
toned at the more important depots and posts. Yet
many posts, involving heavy responsibility In money
and ZEAL are occupied by suOaerns OF the ne on duty
as acting Assistant QlartermasterS The number OF
officers is now reduced TO &C. 1he movement during the
year. so tar as reported. was by rail- wagon stage and
vessel OF l59 persons 635 beasts and g920i tons OF
material. The total movements Dy PacIiic Railroad.
S23 persons lSi beasts AM 222 i59 POUNDS or freight
wIhn the last few years great Development has been
given IN Great Britain ~ the construction Of steam
launches vessels OF small szo whoh taks tho place or
sail ana rOwOoats In te harDor service with great IN
crease OF efficiency, SAFETY, certainty, and speed and
with great economy. They are built In Great Britain
aud shipped To ell parts of the world and naval yes
sci OF considerable is sent to sea without one
Several have been purchased or ordered TO be con-
sructed ANA those already at their posts give great sat-
isacton. AT Fort Mciieury the launch General Greene,
built at the Kensingtdh Iron Works, hadephia. cost
$3.50. bho carries the mail. passengers, and
irsaA supplies between DItimQgs sud W. fexI