Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-21
The Last Annual Report of Secretary
Of War Redfeld Proctor.
WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN A YEAR.
What Has Been Done in the Way of Gun
FOrgings in That Time.
ENLISTMENT OF INDIANS A SUCCESS

nearly equipped. y SOutn wing, uouDlnS
the capacity, is now eing constructed.
Provision has already been made for the
manufacture by the Government of IS
breechIoading steel lified guns of high
power. and 100 more have been contracted
Tor with private manufacturers. A supply
OF submarine mines and % Finch mortars
are also under contraction
For the improvement OF the enlisted force
new methods of recruiting have been
adopted. 1t is carried on more in small
towns and business communities, and the
recruits are held on probation and their
Rntecedents carefully inquired into. The
ration has been increased by the addition
of one pound OF vegetables daily. Soldiers
are now entitled to a discharge at the end of
three years OF faithful service, and are per-
mitted to purchase their discharge at any
time after one year. summary courts have
been established for the speedy trial of petty
ofienses.
An lnducement for Manufacturers.
Certain provisions in the last two fortifi-
cation acts were designed to induce private
manufacturers in this country TO cooperate
with the Government in fabricating guns as
well as in supplying the steel forgings. Ad-
vantageous bids were received and a con.
tract made with the Bethlehem Company
for supplying p s-inch, SO l0lnch and 25 T.
inch guns.
This contract and the output of the gun
factory from forgings already under con
tract, provides for the manufacture of 1873
breech-lOading steel rifle guns of high
power. 81 Of S-fnch caliber, Sc of lO.inch, and
80 of Pinch Four have been finished two
S-inch, one l0-inch and one Finch; a more
will be finished in lS92, 81 in 1893. 40 in 1884,
when the machinery of the gun factory will
be nearly complete. Thereafter there can
he manufactured about 45 per year. and
TIE 6H deliveries from the Bethlehem
to IA yearly, according to the proportion of
email or large caliber. Beside the 1875 for
which provision has already been made, if
1orglnGs are supplied to the gun factory, $50
more guns can be turned out within the next |
ten years, and mostly of 10 and u inch calf |
Der | believe these figures to be conserva-
tive and that the actual results will be |
greater. for with experience in the rnanufac-
ture the work should progress more rap |
idly.
Considerable Work in Progress.
Two batteries, eacn for Is l2-inch mortars, |
and emrlacements for two Pinch, two 10
inch and four S-inch guns are now in pro-
cess of construction for the defense of New
Nork; also one battery for 10 12-inch mortars
and emplacements Tor one lO-inch gun, with
two more in preparation, at Boston: and en-
placements for two lO-inch guns, with one
l0-inch and three E-inch in preparation at
Hampton Roads, and for two 10-inch guns
at Washington. Progress has also been
made in providing a suitable supply
OF submarine mines. considerable
number are on hand or under
contract for the defense of New York San
Francisco. Boston, Hampton Roads. Phila-
delphi;, Washington and Charleston, and |
some of the mining casemates for operating
them are completed or under contract at |
these ports and a Portland, Me. Contracts |
have also been made for the early delivery |
OF 7S I2inch cast-iron rified mortars hooped
with steel, of a pattern known TO be service
= ble, though probably not equal to an all
steel construction now under test.
The department has been obliged, on ac-
count of the financial embarrassment of the
contractors. to extend the time until JAN
uary. April and July, 1892, for the delivery |
OF the ten guns contracted for with the
Pneumatic Dynamite Gun Company for
Sandy Hook Fort schuyler, Fort Warren and
san Francisco.
Desertions Rapidly Growing Fewer.
Considerable space is given to the sub-
feet Of desertions, concerning which the
Secretary says:
Deseltions from the army for the wear
ending September so, have been less than in |
any other year in the history of the army. |
Previous to ls20 there are no reliable records,
hut from that time till the beginning of the |
War OF the Rebellion the average annual
rate of deScrtion was Jas per cent of the
enlisted strength, and since the it has
been nearly the same. From January l |
1861 to June 80 1891 AZ Years, the number
OF assertions from the army was SS415. 1t
has cost the Government very large sum
for pay, clothing, subsistence; and transpor-
tafion OF recruits to replace these men
For the year ending June 30 1859. the rate |
was ll.G per cent: for the year ending June |
70 lsae, ger cent; for the year ending June
So 1891. 81 per cent. During the u months |
ending September 20 1891, the rate was only |
; per cent. and for a like period ending Oc-
1"her 81, 81 per cent. The diminution is |
s'll gong On,and the percentage is being re- |
duced month by month. Great as the reduc- |
I t.On has been, however, there is no good res-
son why deSerrions should not be reduced |
10 or even per cent. Probably they can
NOT lie reduced below per cent. This much |
viii have to he charged to the perversity of |
human nature and the ineradicable restless
ness OF the American people.
Indian Enlistment a Success
Concerning the enlistment of Indians
as regular soldiers, Secretary Proctor saws:
II was not deemed advisable to urpe In |
efforts hsve been made to inform them of |
tnc responsibilities they would incur and 1 ,
the duties That would be required of them as
soldiers The results have been very salts
factory. Seven companies, three of cavalry 4
and four of infantry, have been recruited to |
their full complement and seven others par !
TALLY, and the reports indicate that the or
CaniZation of these Will be completed at an
early day. l have had an opportunity TO |
personally inspect some of these Indian cav
airy troops and have received full reports
showing the condition of others. In rood ! ,
conduct, drill and military bearing atten {
tion to duty, observance of courtesies and
care Of horses, arms anc equipment cloth
ing, barracks, mess rooms and kitchens
they are at least equal to soldiers of other |
races OF no greater experience.
The regular estimates for the medical de- ,
psrtments will he about $500 less than /
last year, ''due to economy in its administra- s
tion and 10 reduction in the number of con-
tract surgeons. On the subject of post
traders the Secretary says:
on the 4th of MarcG, 1889 there were 81 ,
post traders. There are now but % and
seven of these have been notified that their ,
licences Will be rev olled within a short time
at a date so fixed rs TO give them an oppor- ,
tunity to sell or reduce their stocks. -Four !
Of the remaining Is are at posts whose c
E abandonment has been ordered or soon will q
be. so that at the end oil the fiscal year there
will be only II remaining. The parties who
held these privileges had large personal and
political influence. and it has not been an
asy or Il pleasant task to make this change. |
Not Good for the Militia Service.
Speaking OF the militia service the Secre-
tary has this to say:
The present method OF allotment of the
annual appropriation of 100000 for arming
md Cguipping the militia, which is pre- | ]
scribed by the act of February u, 1887 (24
5 ats. 40). and which gives to each State an |
amount proportionate to its Congressional
representation, is not such as to produce the
best results. The aid given different States
Is very GisprODOrtionate. The amount of
Government aid received by some States is
not more than half that received by others
that maintain double the number of men in
lhcIr National Guard.
There is no inducement for the mainten-
tnce of a greater number of militia than is
actually required by the law, but rather the
reverse, If economy be consulted. The allot-
ncnt as now made is not based upon what
he States do in return for the appropria-
ion, but what they ought to do. 1t would
DC better 20 help those who help themselves.
II the appropriation, or even one-half of it, |
IS as distributed unOn the basis of the effec-
a \af al a. ard, tair mad |