Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-23
SIGNAL SERVICE WORK.
General sheridsu Wants to Rid the
Army OF il.

OUHUA ~ ohHEA0kM " anus To Ilu Nhp
Army OF il.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22'-The substance
of Gen. Sheridau's recent replies to the
Congressional Commission considering
the organization of scientific bureaus has
been made public. Gen. Sheridan was
examined principally in regard to the
signal service, and it was entirely in the
shape ot questions by the committee, and
direct replies thereto.
To the question, GLOW much impor-
tance do you attach TO signal work proper
that is being done from time to time at
Fort Myer aside from meteorological
works." the General replied:
I'VE are not interested in lat all except as
people generally are. In the other we are
somewhat Interested, but think all this Fort
Myer matter and this signal business II
growing unnecessarily IN It's present state.
THE ORIGINAL OBJECT.
Originally, when Gen. Myer was IN com
nand. ~ was bureau for signalIog. IL was
ike any other bureau of the War Depart
mcut, and the duties We're all performed az
different military posts throughout the whole
country. II seemed to he simple and mex
pensVe at that time, and yet 10 seemed TO
cover All our wants, So far as Fort Dyer is
concerned we do not feel any necessity FOR
keeping that up. We have at every military
post IN the service the same thing going OF
that ii going here"
THAT is, you teach signaling?"
THE ARMY WORK.
Yes, sir. An officer ia detailed to this duty
and 30 many times everv week dispatChee are
sgnaled until everybody who Is intelligent
enough learns that"
w hat has the Signal Bureau to do with
that work -
"It has not anything especially to do with
IT.. 10 u more matter Of courtesy than any
thing else to render monthly reports TO the
| Chel signal officer. Inc work is done by the
officers aud men Of the army without aLy CO.
operation with the officers or men OF his
bureau. II 10 under tho control and direction
OF the department commander, and when re
ports are made out they are sont through
hlm."
IT'S EXTENT AND CHARACTER.
what is the extent and character Of the
work."
ut Is going on at every army post. A signal
! ohicer Is detailed, who takes one set OF men
and trains them until he get them instructed,
aud then he takes another set OF men. lie
also instructs the officers"
Then so far as the utility Cf Fort Myer i-
concerned for the purpose OF teaching mill
| tary signaling you think it can be dispensed
"Ne es, cir; do. I think so "
FORT MYERS USEFULNESS.
Suppose this commission should conclude
| that FOR purposes oil economy Fort MyeT
should be dispensed with as a signal station
| what could be done with the property that li
| thcre?'
1--WE could move one Of the artillery com
| panies there. We have six companies anC
| regmental headquarters at Washington bar
/ racks, and really thereis not room enough fJl
| much more than three companies. There are
| quarters enough az Fort Myer for two com
| panies. There are l5sets Of officers quarters
/ there. The reservation has SIS acres Of land
! besides q cemetery"
NOT ARMY WORK.
| "What are your views as so the character
| of the meteOrOOgIca cal servicep Do you regard
! IT rs army workP.
| mo. sir; do not. think it belongs to the
! business OF the country"
1T has been said that it is essential to have
| military authority TO compel men TO remain
| at remote points. and that II the service were
| entirely of a civil character parties could not
| be procured TO remain at these undesirable
| places but would resign"
"No; do not think that. ] think you could
| get good men TO remain at these places. OF
| course 10 would be matter of pay but the
| execution OF their worh light be better il
under military authority I want to say that
| 1 have nothing to do with that bureau"