Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-05
CITY AND DISTRICT.
Report Of the Secretary Of War.

Report Of the Secretary OF War.
THE aoUEpUCr EXTENSION = POTOMAC I'M
PRovENENT-THE NEW DEPARTMENT BUILD
ING, observation-disclosures As TO THE SIG
NAL SERVICE, ETC.
The annual report of the Secretary of War to
the President states that the estimates received
by him Tor the fiscal year ending June 80, 1887,
amounted to ISL. 7s2443.97, which were re-
duced by him To S4S, 2O4 1S34S. He calls at
tention to the condition of the judge advocate
generals bureau, and recommends the appoint
ment OF judge advocate general or such legiS-
lation by Congress a. will meet the difficulty.
as the judge advocate general will be retired
before the expiration of his sentence of twelve
years suspension. In regard to the question of
acivilian witness refusing to testify before a
court-martial. he suggests that statute be
enacted whereby an attachment against such
witness for contempt would issue upon applica-
ton to a United States court; and also that "A
statute be enacted applying the common-law
rule to deserters, authorizing their arrest, as in
cases of felony, by private citizens police Off
GERS, for the purpose of surrendering them TO
the proper authorities for trial.
WATER SUPPLY OF THE DISTRICT.
The Secretary says that satisfactory progress
has been made upon the work for increasing the
water supply of Washington. ID. C.. The dam
across the Potomac river at Great Falls is nearly
competed, ana the fundS on land are Sufnclenl
The tunnel has been excavated for "a distance OF
IL, 500 feet, leaving unfinished . ,215 feet The
contract now calls for completion of the tunnel
by June 80, 1856; but this is not likely to be
accomplished. The funds available for the work
will be exhausted by February L. 1856. and,
unless further appropriation Is MADE apa,iaode
thereby causing delay in bringing the increased
supply of water to- the city and at additional
cost 1t is estimated that S39o.OOO Will be re-
CURED to complete the tunnel, which 1T Is
recommended may be appropriated i'm the early
days OF the session. An additional appropria-
ton is also necessary to- complete the reservoir
upon which satisfactory progress has been made
Estimates for the whole work have been sub
United, amounting to So9O,OOU-
WORK on THE POTOMAC FLATS.
In regard to the reclamation of the Potomac
flats he says that 1T Is desirable that the he xt
appropriation should be in a larger sum. as the
improvement has now proceeded so far that
certain portions must be finished as soon as
possible To prevent possible damage by ireshets.
After that is expended the work could go on to
the end with smaller appropriations.
nended dnring The fiscal wear endinp lime 30.
1887. As the health of the city is thought to
be In some degree dependent upon the compile
commended to the favorable consideration of
Congress.
THE SIGNAL SERVICE DUTIES CIVIL, NOT MILF
TARY.
The Secretary is unable to concur in the
Recommendations of the chief signal officer for
legislation to provide for the permanent detail
Of fifty enlisted men from the line of the army
for duty ON the military telegraph lines; for
including the appropriations for the signal ser
vice in the appropriations for the army, and
for the reorganization of the signal service
corps of officers by appointing colonel, lieu
tenant-coloneI, major. and eight captains and
the promotion of second lieutenants, and says:
The duties in which the corps is now engaged
are civil and not military. IL performs no mill
tary service; it's only exercise that is military
in It's character is the art of military signaling,
duties Sas Sse 70 in the pas
It b proposed to press the study more vigorously
In the future. Nor is this study as pursued in
the CORDS important to the army, which re-
ceives, through its own officers. all the neces-
sary instruction. II is evident that the studies
and labors OF the signal service in the scientific
field upon which it has entered will more and
more absorb and engross its energies, and it
must ultimately become purely civil organi-
this prospect before us, to provide TOR its per-
manent attachment to the army
SOLDIERS HOME-THE NEW DEPARTMENT
BUILDING, ETC.
As the grounds of the Soldiers home have
become virtually pleasure driving park for
the people of Washington and for the nation,
the Secretary thinks it would seem but just
for Congress TO appropriate $4,000 annually for
the repair and preservation of the roads in the
as the sa,s aGs
buildings the secretary says that during the
present fiscal year all the masonry OF the build
Ing and much of the interior work will be COM
pleted. With seasonable and sufficient appro-
priations the building may be entirely finished
in two years from this time. The entire amount
Of $5OO,OOO asked for the next fiscal year
should be appropriated by Congress TO prevent
delay In the progress of the work.
The Grant relics, the Secretary says, will be
kept in the War department building to await
the action OF Congress, subject, however, to the
control Of Mrs. Grant, ii she desires the return
of any or all the articles 1t being assumed that
until the action of Congress accepting the dOna-
DrOD4rtv
Grant.
The Secretary concludes hisreport by strongly
recommending that there should be an Assist
ant Secretary Of War.