The morning call., 1894-09-28
HERE TO INSPECT.
Assistant Secretary of
War Arrives.
General Doe Explains the Intentions
OF the War Department Re-
garding Military Posts.

After visiting numerous military posts
and supply stations in various portions of
the country, General John B. Doe, As
sistant Secretary of War, arrived in this
city yesterday morning from Portland,
Or. He is accompanied by General r ch-
ard n. Batchelder. Quarterm aster-geners
of the United States army, General o. 81.
Falk of Milwaukee, Captain T. 81. Barry,
Edward Silverman and w. H. DIE of
E!gin, Ill. The party arrived over the
Southern Pacific and occupied private
car during the journey from the NUrth-
west.
The generals visit has been expected by
the officers at the Preside and neigh bor-
ing military posts for several weeks. mas
much as he represents the War Depart
ment and is making an official tour of in
spection of the greater portion of Uncle
Sans military reservations throughout
the United States. Consequently the party
was met upon its arrival at the ferry by
General Ruger ami Lieutenant Lyman
and escorted to thu Palace.
General Doe started from Washington
Saptem Der 1 and after paying short visits
to several Eastern posts made thorough
investigation of Fort Dearborn, near Chi
cago, and then started westward. Mime
apOis WAS next visited, and from there be
Travelled to Dakota and Helena and Butte,
Mont After inspecting the posts in WASH
ington, at Walla Walls and Vancouver
General Doe came direct TO San Fran
cisco.
The object of this tour of inspection, in
which General BatcheldeT is also commits
stoned 10 assist, is one of particular signi-
hcance and importance at this Time and
will, no doubt, result in many changes
and improvements ia this important
h-,, 4,
eral condition of the various forts will, of
course. be- communicated to the heads OF
the War Department., but IL is well known
that the travels of these army officials are
Intended to assist the depar tment in bring
Ing about an i'm Dortant change in the mat
ter OF military posts.
"The War Department" said General
Doe last evening, lis extremely active at
present in an endeaVor 10 perfect the regu-
lar army ana i Is mode of operation. In
the opinion OF the President and Secretary
Of War Lamont, there are too many army
posts and supply stations scattered here
and there over the country. at some time
time or other all these served a purpose
AMI were indispensable to the needs of the
army. But many OF these posts and sta
tons have now outlived their usefulness
and could very well be dispensed with.
The posts. for instance, esta blished in and
about the Indian localities are in many re-
dian outbreaks are growing fewer year by
year. and the presence OF soldiers Is 10
longer necessary 10 many instances.
81 am of the opinion that the War De-
partmentis in favor OF concentrating the
troops in the large centers of the country,
and save the expense of maintaining re-
mote posts aud stations. II is undoubtedly
n better policy TO mass the army in the
larger cities of the country, while i'm
proved railroad facilities would enable the
Government to transport troops 10 any
direction without loss of time. During my
trip | found all the posts In excellent con-
dition, from Chicago to the Northwest,
and upon my return to Washington | will
make some suggestions calculated to I'M
prove the service"
The visit of the Assistant Secretary and
General Batchelder to this city will doub t-
less result in great benefits TO the miltar,
posts in the vicinity. They Will remain
here several days and will be escorted by
General Ruger to the Preside, Black
Point, AlcatraZ and Angel Island reserva-
tons. General Batchelder is familiar with
this locality, having been Stationed here
several years. After The rebellion, he en-
tered the regular army February 16. 1865,
as captain and assistant Quartermaster and
reached his present rank June 80. 1890.
Since his departure from this city, the
Government has acquired possession of
piece of ground for purposes of defense on
Point Lobos, and 1t Is proba BILE that the
present inspection may result In having
this important strip of land transformed
into a military post.
The party visited army headquarters in
the Phelan building yesterday afternoon
and will be escoIted to the Preside today.
where dress parade and review will take
place at l 80 o'clock.