The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-12-05
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
EXPENSES.

In the expenses of the war department the
secretary reports a decrease of more than
$9,O0O,0 900, of which a reduction of So. 600.
900 was effected in expenditures for rivers
and harbors and 81, 100000 in expenditures
for the quartermaster's department. Out
side OF that department. the annuale expenses
for all the army bureaus proper Except
probably the ordnance bureaus) are sub
~stantlally liked charges which cannot be ma
terially diminished without a change In the
numerical strength of the army. The ex-
penses in the quartermaster's department
can readily be subjected to administrative
discretion, and it is reported by the secre.
tary of war that as a result Of exercising
such discretion in reducing the mum.
Der of draught and pack animals il
the army, the annual cost of supply.
ing and caring for such animals is now
81, S,OS5. 80 less than it was in 1882
The reports of military commanders show
that the last year has been notable for its
freedom from Indian outbreaks. In defiance
of the presidents proclamation OF July /,
1SS4, certain intruders sought to make set
Elements in the Indian Territory. They
were promptly removed by q detachment Of
troops. During the past session of congress
a bill to provide a suitable fire-pIoof build
ing for the army medical museum and the
library OF the surgeon generals Office re-
celved the approval of the senate. a similar
bill, reported fayorably to the house of rep
re~sentatiyes by one of it's committees, is still
pending before that body. II Ii. hoped that
during the coming session the measure
may become a law, and thereafter imme-
date steps may be taken to secure a place OF
safe deposit for the valuable collections now
in q state of insecurity. The funds with which
the works for the improvements of rivers
and harbors Were prosecuted during the past
year were derived from the appropriations
of the act of Aug. 2, 1882, together with
guph few halanppS 40 xvnrqn m hand from pYa-
vtous appropriations. The balance OF the
treasury subject to requisition July /. 1883,
was $1,000, GAO. SO. The amount appr0-
priated during the fiscal year 1884 was
$13, 196,346.2 81 and the amount drawn from
the treasury during the fiscal year was
rs, DDS, 103. ID, leaving q balance of $50, l12,-
$50. 50 in the treasury subject TO requisition
July /, 1884
~ACoAs
The secretary of war submits the report OF
the chief OF engineers as TO the practicable
ity of protecting our important cities on the
seaboard, by Notifications and other de-
lenses able TO repel modern methods or at
tack. The time has now come when such
defenses can be prepared with confidence
that they will not prove abortive; and when
the possible results of delay in making such
preparations Is seriously considered, delay
seems inexcusable. For the most important
cities, those whose destruction or capture
" ~ ~ - ~ AAA -
defenses, inclusive Of gums. hsAy be made BY
the gradual expenditure of $50, 100000,
a sum much less thar q victorious enemy
could levy as a contribution. An approprla-
ton of about one-tenth of that amount IS
asked to begin the work, and I concur with
the secretary OF war in urging that IL De
granted The war department is proceed
ing with the conversion of ten-inch smooth
bore guns into eight-inch rifles. by lining the
former with tubes of forged or OF cold
wrought iron. FIFTY guns viii be thus con-
verified within the year: This, however, does
not obviate the necessity of providing means
for the construction Of guns of the high
est power. but for the purposes OF coast de-
Tense and for the armament of war vessels
The report Of the foundry board ap-
pointed April 2. 1883, In pursuance OF the
act OF March 3, 1883, was 70
congress in a special message of Feb. 8, 1854.
In my message Of March 20, 1884, l called
attention to the recommendation Of the
board that the government should encourage
the production at private steel works OF une
required material for heavy n and
thar two government factories, one for the
army and one for the navy, should be estap,-
lished for the fabrication Of guns OF such
material. No action having been taken,
the board was subsequently recOnveneu
to determine m~orafally the plans and esti~
mates for carrying out its recommendations
IL has received information which indicates
that there are responsible steel manufactur-
ers In this country who. although not pro-
vided at present with the necessary plant,
are willing to construct the same and TO
make bids for contracts with the govern
ment for the supply Of the requisite material
for the heaviest runs adaptedt TO modern war.
fare, IL a guaranteed order Of sufficient mag
nitude. accompanied by a positive ~approprla-
ton extending over o series Of years. shall
be made by congress. All doubts as TO the
feasibility OF the plan being thus removed.
/ renew cay recommendation that such ac-
ton be taken by congress as will enable the
government to construct its " ordnance
its w territory, and so to provide the
ornaments demanded by considerations OF
national safety and honor.
~