The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-01

dispatch Of the United states mails and
TO guard the property of the government.
The movement Of troops thus necessitated
was the largest which has taken place
since the close OF the civil war. The ex-
tFaordinary tasks imposed upon officers
and men we're discharged promptly,
firmly and iudiciously, attesting To the
thorough efficiency of every branch of the
service. On October the army mum bered
Officers. 2. 1856; enlisted men, 3. 772. OF
the latter. for various causes, only 20, ia
we're effective.
Secretary Lamont earnestly recon-
mends legislation TO establish the bat
TALON formation NOW adopted by the
armies of every other civilized nation. To
effect that change. he recommends a re-
turn to the Law of 1870. fixing $1,000 as
the limit of the army. Ey the changes
proposed the army will be increased
20 per cent. In efficiency and
1914 in numbers. and only
per cent. in cost of maintenance
The actual eombatiye strength will thus
become about p, 600 the number now con-
templated by law, but which is reduced bv
detachments and otherwise to about 20 600.
Ii is proposed TO add two companies
TO each OF the twenty-five infantry
regiments. and tgo batteries to
each Of the five artillery regiments. No
increase in cavalry IS reported. The cost
of the increased number of men would be
81. 200. 600 annually, but retrenchment has
reduced the administration expenses of
the war department at Washington City
$4,000, and by applying these economies
10 the benefit Of the army, efficient
organization and greater strength can
be obtained at an increase of only 500. 000.
Ii IS proposed TO meet the necessary in
crease in line officers by reductions in the
staff, and 10 this end consolidation of the
quartermaster, pay and subsistence de-
partments into one bureau OF supply Is
recommended.
The three recruiting depots have been
abolished, adding 100 men 20 the eifec-
tive strength and reducing expenditures
about $3.50 coo Post and regimental
recruiting, which involves little or no
expense and brings recruits Immediately
INTO the commands with which they are
to serve, will be extended. The character
of recruits il improved. and last year only
7.si7 out of 1881 applicants were ae-
copied All recruits must now write the
English language and must be citizens of
the United States, or have declared their
intentions
or ?, 30 men discharged By expiration Of
service. 20Te re-eniisted. Desertions show
a large decrease. The repeal Of the law
requiring percentage OF the pay of en-
listed men 10 he retained until honorable
discharge is recommended.
Seven regiments have been armed with
the nes magazine ride. and By Nav the
infantry wiI! be completely equipped
with the new arm. The manufacture
of that arm will be continued TO equip
the militia. The manufacture OF modern
field and siege artillery has been
continued. Seaeoast defense can nov be
prosecuted as rapidly as congress makes
appropriations for the purpose, and it
these are sufficient the project OF the Endi-
colt board can be carried out IN
twelve and one-half years. The cost Of I'm
ishinE the armament Of our tweaty-e .ght
chief seaporls Is estimated to Re So Ga. 9s7
for guns 81 sol. TO for mortars, 81 90. GO
for gun carriages and IS -. Go for mortar
carriages: total. including contract work,
$50 ~. PAS. Secretary Lamont observes
that the statue 20 Gen. Grant has been
erected by the capitol AMI congressional
library.