River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-11-26
TO GUARD OUR PORTS.

~ 6ORhO OOh POH =.
Secretary Proctor Reports on the PrGe-
ress of Strengthening Our Coast De-
lenses - Increased Efficiency of the
Army.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.-The annual
report of the secretary of war was
made public Friday. Mr.. Proctor epito-
mics the work of his department as
affected by new Legislative and admin
istrative measures as follows:
Coast nefenses.
IN the llnc OF coast defense sites for FORTH
cations have been procured and engineering
work has been begun on batteries for mortars
and emplacements Tor guns al New York. B0s-
ton, san Francisco, Hampton Roads and
Washington. The north wing and cen
ter section OF the gun factory at
Waterviiet has been completed and is nearly
equipped. A south wing. doubling the capac-
ity. is now being constructed. Provision has
already been made for the manufacture by the
government OF ninety eight breech- loading
steel rified guns OF high power, and 100 more
have been contracted for with private manu-
faeturers. a supply of submarine mines and
seventy three twelve-inch mortars are also I'M
der construction.
The problem OF adequate coast defense has
practically been settled. Fortunately il has
not been a question Of party politics. There
has been much discussion and some differences
of individual opinion in respect TO the rapidity
with which the work should be executed and
as regards details, IL has been generally recog-
nized however, in congress and by the public
press as national concern-a thoroughly
American policy
Two appropriations OF $4,000 each for the
purchase OF sites for fortihcation and sea
coast defenscs were made by the last con-
gress Alloiments have been made under
! 81.
and mortar batteries at Glover cliff in
Boston harbor; Point Comfort Fort
Wadsworth, Plumb island and Sand point
in New York harbor; Laguna MERGED in San
Francisco harbor. and Sheridan point on the
Potomac Proceedings of condemnation
have been commenced 70 obtain other
sites near Fort Wadsworth and Fort
Hamilton in New York harbor; VII
loughby spt in Hampton roads, and
Point Lobos in san Francisco harbor. over
one-half Of the entire appropriation has been
allotted and about s350UO1 expended. Other
payments are 10 be made as soon as the exam
ination Of titles by the department OF justice
is completed. The balance of the appropria-
tion will probably be expended during the next
five months but IL will not be sufficient
to pay the awards of Jurors in cases
now pending. I recommend that an appropria-
tion of 50 0,0)0 be continued annually until the
important sites are secured IL will require
as rapidly as they will be needed for use, and
1t is economy to acquire them as quickly as
possible after their location has been deter
mined upon.
building Heavy Guns.
Certain provisions IN the last two fortihca-
tion acts were designed to induce private man
ufaeturers in this country TO cooperate with
the government in fabricating guns as well as
in supplying the steel forgjngs Advan-
md
tract made with the Bethlehem Company for
supplying twenty i've s-inch fifty 10 inch and
twenty-five lg-nch guns. This contract and
the output Of the gun factory from
forgings already under contract, p. Divides
for the manufacture OF 1913 breech load
ing steel rife guns of high power
sixty two of s-inch caliber, eighty-six of 10
inch and fifty OF Pinch. -Four have been fin.
ished, two inch, one 1O-inch and one IL.
inch; twenty -four more will be finished
in 1892 thirty-four in 1893 forty in
1894. when the machinery at the gun
factory will be nearly complete. Two batter
les. each for sixteen Pinch mortars, and EN-
placements for two 12f1eh. two l0-lnch and
four sinch guns are now n process Of construc.
tiol for the defense OF New York; also one bat.
tefy for sixteen Pinch mortars anc
emplacements for one IO-inch gun, with two
more in preparation at Boston; and empace
mants for two l0-inch guns. with one lO-inch
cisco for two 10-inch guns at Hampton Roads
and for two 1o-inch guns at Washington.
The Enlisted Force.
"For the improvement of the enlisted force
new methods of recruiting have been adopted.
II is carried on more in small towns an6
rural communities. and the recruits
are held on probation and their ante
cedents carefully inquired into The ration
has been increased by the addition OF one
81 got fttu
entitled To discharge at the end
OF three years Of faithful service, and
are permitted to purchase their discharge
at any time after one year Summary
courts have been established for the speedy
trial Of petty onensos. II the men desire IL
competent officers are assigned 10 defend
them before courtsmartial Punishments IN
der the articles Of war in times OF peace have
been defined and limited. Sunday in
spections and tattoo roll call have been
abolished; schools and gymnasia estab-
lished These. together with the specific
measures undertaken for that purpose, have
reduced the percentage Of assertions to a lower
point than ever before in the history OF the
army. and in the last year have reduced the
number OF inmates IN our military prisons over
20 per cent"
The report shows that the percentage
of desertion has been reduced from H. 6
per cent. in 1889 to IS per cent. in 1891
and is still decreasing. The enlistment
of Indians into the army is recon-
mended as the cheapest and best insur-
ance against further Indian troubles.
What IL Costs.
The appropriation for fiscal year
ending June 30. 1892. was $50, 1S3, 425. 05.
Expenditures for fiscal year ending
June 80, 1891, SOL, 45O. 764.GS Estimates
for fiscal year ending j une 30, 1898,
S45, 975, GO3 81.