The morning call., 1890-11-17

Weather Bureau Service, which has hereto
fore been under the charge of the Signal
Corps, is to be transferred on the first day
of next july to the Department Of Agricul-
ture. Three hundred and ninety-three 0ffi-
GERS of the line, representing for the first
time in many years every regiment Of the
army, have been under instruction, and at
least 1900 of the enlisted men.
The policy OF the department to cOncen-
trate its troops at larger posts as rapidly as
the requirements Of the service would per-
nit has been carried out during the year.
and sixteen posts have been given up and
the reservations turned over 10 the Depart
ment of the Interior, in order that they
might be taken up by the people for private
use,
NATIONAL GUARD.
Being impressed with the Importance Of
an effective militia as prominent and
necessary factor in any military organiza-
tiOn suited to our country. the department
has endeavored by its co-opera ton to en-
courage and aid the National Guard so far
as possible under existing law. Officers
have been detailed to assist in their instruc-
ton, and detachments of regular troops
have been ordered to participate in some
OF the larger State encampmentS. The de-
partment has endeavored to cooperate
more especially with those States which
have manifested the most interest in the
matter by their own liberal appropriations
and earnest efforts.
Any money which the National Govern
ment expeDdS for our citizen soldiery goes
to help those who help themselves. Under
the present law there is annually apprOpri-
ated for the benefit Of the militia 100000.
while the individual States appropriate i'll
the aggregate, so far as known, over s., ,000,-
0G0, and in many States the militia receive
also considerable SUPPORT from local and
private sources. If the appropriation of
the General Government should be in
creased l believe that it would be gener-
ously met by corresponding increase by
the States themselves. l heartily commend
every intelligent effort TO increase the eff
cheney of the National Guard and to bring
them into closer relations with the War De-
paitment, and hope that measures to that
END may receive favorable consideration Of
Congress.
EXPLORATION OF ALASKA.
The area of Alaska is estimated at nearly
GEO. 900 square miles. 1t is therefore about
nearly equal to the combined area of the
New England, Middle and Southern States
east of the Mississippi River.
In order to obtain exact and trustworthy
information concerning this Territory have
approved proposition TO organize a thor
0ughly eqipped expedition to make sys-
tematic exploration and survey of Alaska. l
recommend that sufficient appropriation
be made by Congress for carrying the plan
into effect.
EXPENDITURES, APPROPRIATIONS, ESTI-
MATES.
The expenditures of appropriations under
the direction of the Secretary of War for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1890, were as fol-
lows: Salaries and contingent expenses,
$780, 700 IA; military establishment-sup-
port Of the army and Military Academy,
1886, 800 95; public works, including river
and harbor improvements, Sl5, 5,3S2, 7s5 60;
miscellaneous objects, S6,072,960 II. Total,
S47, ,357. 756 AZ.
The appropriations for the fiscal year
ending June 80. 1891, are as follows: Sala-
ries and contingent expenses, S2,137,7 7S2 33;
military establishment, support of the army
and Military Academy, S2i 545, 500 80; pub
lie works, including river and harbor i'm
provements, $50, 1856: miscellaneous OBJ
jectS. S5.244,l3 %. Total, S62, ,799695 40.
Tho estimates of this department for the
next fiscal year ending June so, 1892. are as
follows: Salaries and contingent expenses,
S2,O74. 430; military establishment; support
of the army and Military Academy, S26 160.-
991 n; public works. so. 709, ,2SS SO; miseel-
laneous objects, 1906, ,226 07. Total, S43,-
749 936 II.