McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-12-11
War Department.

In the expenses of the war department the
secretary reports a decrease of more than
$4,000 CO., of which reduction S5,000OO0 was
effected in the expenditures for rivers and har-
bors. and 81, 100, 900 in expenditures for the
quartermaster's department Outside of that
department, the annual expenses of all the
army bureaus proper Except, possibly, the
ordnance bureau) are substantially charges
which cannot be materially diminished with
out change in the numerical strength of the
army. The expenditures in the quarter
masters department can easily be subjected to
administrative discretion, and it is reported
by the secretary of war that result of ey
ercising such discretion in reducing the num-
Der of draught animals in the army, the an
nual cost OF supplying and caring, for such an
ilnals is now 81, los, 0S590, less than it was in
1882. The reports of military commanders
show that the last year has been notable for
its entire freedom from Indian outbreaks In
defiance of the presidents proclamation of
July l, 1884, certain intruders sought to make
settlements in Indian territory, and they were
promptly removed by detachment of troops.
During the last session of congress q bill to
provide for a suitable fire proof building for
the army medical museum and the library of
the surgeon generals Office received the ap-
proval. During the coming session the meas
lire may become law and therefore immediate
steps may be taken to secure a place of
safe deposit for these valuable collec-
lions, now in state Of insecurity. The
funds with which these works for the
improvement of rivers and harbors
were prosecuted during the past year, were
derived from the appropriation of the act of
August 2, 1882, together with such few bal
ances as were on hand from previous apprc-
priations. The balance in the treasury sub
ject to requisition July 1, 1888, was S10,02l,
$3.50. The amount appropriated during the
fiscal year 1884, was S13, 166, 1862 and the
amount drawn from the treasury during the
fiscal year was IS, 22S, 703. 81, leaving balance
of S1l2, 5S0.63 in the treasury subject to re-
QUESTION July /, 1884. The secretary of war
submits the report of the chief of engineers as
to the practicability of protecting our import
ant cities on the seaboardsby Notifications and
other defenses able to repel modern methods
of attack. The time has now come when such
defenses can be prepared with confidence that
they will not prove abOrtive when the possible
result of delay in making no such preparation
is seriously considered, delay seems inexcusa-
ble for the most important cities, those whose
destruction or capture would be national
humiliation. Adequate defenSes. inclusive of
guns, may be made by the gradual eXpendi-
ture of $50, 600, 900, a sum much less than a
victorious enemy could lay as a contribution,
an appropriation of about one-tenth of that
amount is asked to begin the work, and con-
cur with the secretary of war, in urging that it
be granted.
The war department is proceeding with the
conversion of ten inch smooth bore guns into
eight inch rifles by lining the former with tubes
of forged or of coiled wrought iron. Fifty guns
will thus be converted within the year. This
however does not obviate the necessity of pro-
viding means for the construction of guns of
the highest power, both for the purpose of
coast defense and for the armament of war
vessels.
The report of the gun foundry board ap-
pointed April 2, 1888 in pursuance of the act of
March 3, 1888, was Transmitted to congress in
a special message of February s, 1884. In my
message of March 26, 1884, | called attention
to the recommendation of the board that the
government should encourage the production
of private steel work of the required material
for heavy cannon, and that two government
factories, one for the army and one for the
navy, should be established for the manufac-
ture of guns from such material. No action
having been taken, the board was subsequently
reconyened to determine more fully the plans
aud estimates necessary for carrying out its
recommendations. 1t has received infOrma
ton which indicates that there are responsible |
steel manufacturers in this country who, al
though not provided at present with the neces- |
sary plant, are willing to construct the same, |
and to make bids for contracts with the gov
eminent for the supply of he requisite material |
for the heaviest guns adapted to modern war |
nitude, accompanied BY positive appropria- |
ton extending over series of years, shall be |
made by congress, all doubts as to the feasibili-
ty of the plan would be removed. l renew my
recommendation that such action be taken by |
congress as will enable the government to con- |
struct its own ordinance upon its own territory,
and also to provide the armament demanded
by consideration of the national safety and |
honor.