Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-12-03
THE WAR DEPARTMENT
What it Costs to Supply the
Sinews of War.
ENDICOTI'S REPORT
Expenditures During the Past and
Present Fiscal Years.
recommendations,
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD

dent of the administration of the War
Department during the fiscal year ended
June 30th, last. The total expenditures
were Sal $50. .107. The appropriations
for the current fiscal year amounted to
S59, ,679, 1886, and the estimates for the
current fiscal year ending June 80. 1890,
aggregate $40 ,632, 1907 as follows; Salaries
and contingent expenses, $1,79S,S 800
military establishments, support of the
army ana military academy, $25, ,293, ,37S ;
public works, including river and harbor
improvements, $13, 7S5, ,234; miscelane-
ous objects, SO, ,000 The estimates
for river and harbor improvements rep.
resent the probable cost of such i'm
provements if approved by Congress.
TROUBLESOME INDIANS.
The Secretary gives brief review OF
the trouble with the Chiricahua Abache
Indians from the Mexican war to the
present time, and discusses various plans
suggested for their future treatment.
The Indians are now confined at Mount
Vernon barracks, and many appeals
have been made for their release In
regard to their disposition, the Secretary
says NdilOus plduS have De6u SuR-
gested, the most promising one by GEN
eral Armstrong, to place them on a farm
near Fortress Monroe, but there were
serious objections urged from many quar-
ters, and it was deemed mpracticable.
1t is very desirable to secure some place
where the climate is suitable and an op.
portunity may be had to instruct and
employ them in agriculture, meantime
the work, if not Of reformation, certainly
of amelioration and softening of their
savage qualities, is making progress, and
they are as contented and happy as they
can be anywhere outside of Arizona, for
it is to be remarked that they cling to
that spot and would resolutely resist and
would be very unhappy if moved to any
other permanent home"
The Secretary renews the recommen-
dation contained in his last annual re-
port, of examination for promotion, and
says the necessity for such examination
grows more and more.
DEsERTIoNs AND PUNIsHMENrs.
Desertions from the army continue in
large numbers as in previous years, but
from Investigations rec emily made it ap-
pears that so per cent OF the desertions
occur before the expiration of the second
year OF service. In discussing various
plans suggested to prevent desertions the
Secretary says: "It is worthy of consider
alton whether officers in command of
troops at military posts, or captains of
companies, should not be authorized to
impose punishment for minor offences,
but in granting such authority it will be
necessary to specify the extent and char
or N m Nh tot, g. L.
otherwise there would be no uniform
rule, nor would it be wise to repose so
large discretion upon single officer"
He reviews the report of the visitors
to the Military Academy, and endorses
their recommendations for new buildings
Tor soldiers quarters, for a new aca-
demlc building, new gymnasium,
separate building for the department of
natural and experimental philosophy,
and the purchase Of the Kinsley estate.
STATE AND TERRITORIAL MILITIA.
The Secretary says all the States and
Territories now have active militia, suf-
icient under the regulations to entitle
them to receive ordnance and quarter
stores from the United States.
excepting the State of Arkansas and the
Territories of Arizona, Idaho and Utah.
1t is hoped that very soon practical in
struction in sea-coast defences and the
handling of heavy artillery may be given
20 the militia, aud the officers of the
itmy may be relied upon to give jealous
and cordial assistance.
by the generous supply of ammuni
ion for target practice to colleges, where
army officers are serving as instructors,
he Secretary says, "it is possible that
competitive contests in rifle shooting
night in time become as popular with
'ome OF these inland colleges as boat
'acing now is at the universities of our
Convinced, from former reports. and
1ai isonal inspection Of the workings of |
he system, that good results must flow
rom its adoption, the Secretary says he |
las directed that in preparing plans for |
ONE of the new military posts provided |
or by Congress, that provision should |
,e made for messing the troops by com !
nands instead of by companies.
SEA COAST DEFENCEs,
The attention of Congress is again in
'ited to the defenseless condition Of the
ga coast and lake frontiers, and liberal
md immediate action is recommended |
ooking to the effective defense of our
principal seaports. The Secretary saws:
1t would appear now more important
han ever that such action should
'e taken at the second session of the
present Congress in view Of the fact that
he last session gave appropriations for
he construction of heavy ordnance.
Without heavy platforms, strong armor-
d protection and other permanent i'm
'lacements, these guns and mortars
7hen finished will be of comparatively
title use. The building of modern gun
nd mortar batteries require longer
eriods OF time than the construction of
rmaments. 1t would appear the part
{ wisdom that the preparation of these
Important components OF we'll equipped
efenses should proceed simultane-
usly."
For the beginning of the construction
such defenses an appropriation of
?, $40, 900 is asked for. Two hundred
lousand dollars is asked for the repair
nd preservation of the existing works;
" the purchase of torpedoes and sub
larine mines and the necessary appli-
nces for operating them; for expert
renting to ascertain the best of the I
ANY torpedo inventions, and for con.
nuing the construction of the necessary
cable galleries, etc. For {
orking submarine mines and torpedo +
stem 81 1890, 900 is recommended. The
instruction OF torpedo shed for the {
orage of torpedo material for use in San 9
harbor To cost ahout 900 mn