The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-01
MIR. LAMONT'S REPORT
THE SECRETARY Of WAR A GOOD
TREASURY WATCHDOG.
Says He Has Sawed &500,0OO I'm the
Administration of His Department
His Army Recommendation.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.-The annual re-
port of Secretary Lamont shows a saving
OF half million dollars in salaries and
contingent expenses in the administration
OF the War Department at Washington, be-
sides economies in the recruiting service,
rents. etc. Expenditures for the last fiscal
year were s5s,Os9,Oo9, appropriations for the
current year are s52, ,112 and estimates
for the next year are $52,31S,629.
1t was found necessary at times during
the period from March to July in various
places to employ considerable part of the
army to execute the orders OF United
States courts, otherwise successfully defied
and resisted, to protect the dispatch of the
United States mails and to guard the prop
erty Of the government The movement OF
troops thus necessitated was the largest
which has taken place since the close of
the civil war. The extraordinary tasks i'm
posed on officers and men we're discharged
promptly, firmly and judiciously. attesting
to the thorough efficiency of every branch
OF the service.
On Oct. the army numbered: officers,
2.136; enlisted men, 25.772 OF the latter, for
various causes, only 2O,114 were effective.
Secretary Lamont earnestly recommends
legislation to establish the battalion forma-
ton, now accepted by the armies of every
other civilized nation. To effect that
change he recommends return to the law
of 1870. fixing at $1,000 the limit Of the
army. By the changes proposed the army
will be increased 20 per cent in efficiency,
161s per cent. in numbers and only per
cent. in cost of maintenance. The actual
combative strength will thus become about
5000. the number now contemplated by
law, but which Is reduced by detachments
and otherwise to about 10000. 1t Is pro-
posed to add two companies to each Of the
twenty-five infantry regiments ~and two
batteries to each of the five artillery regi-
ments. No increase in cavalry is proposed.
The cost of the increased number OF en-
listed men would be $l,200,000 annually, but
expenses of the War Department at Wash
ington 100000 and by applying these econo-
mics to the benefit of the army efficient or
tanned at an increase of only 100000. 1t is
proposed to meet the necessary increase In
S to this ei end % concentration " of tho auarfer-
masters pay and subsistence departments
into one bureau Of supply Is recommen,ded; ,ei;
abolished, adding 1.5O0 men to the effective
strength and reducing expenditures about
which involves little or no expense and
brings recruits Immediately into the COM
mands with which they are to serve, will
be extended.
The character of recruits is improved, and
last year only 7,s17 out of 1851 applicants
were accepted. All recruits must now
write the English language and must be
citizens of the United States. or have de-
clared their intentions. OF 2.lW men dis
charged by expiration OF service, 2,0l9 re-
enlisted. Desertfons show a large decrease
The repeal of the law requiring percent
age of the pay of enlisted men TO be re-
fained until honorably discharged Is rec
commended.
Seven regiments have been armed with
the new magazine rifle. and by May / the
infantry will be completely equipped with
the new arm. The manufactures Will con-
tinue to equip the militia. The manu-
facture OF modern field and sHge artillery
has been continued
Seacoast defenses may now be prosecuted
as rapidly as Congress makes appropria-
tions for the purpose. and IL these are sufff-
cient the project Of the Endicott board can
be carried out In twelve and one-half years.
The total cost of finishing the armament
of our twenty-eight chief seaports is esti-
mated to be SO. .639, ,96 for guns, 81 so. .13o for
mortars, $l2.5o0.oo0 for gun carriages. s..
ing contract work. OF $5027I,2i& Annual
APPROPRIATIONS OF 81 go 600 will be required
for armament during the next twelve
years. which will build AMI mount 6S3 high
power guns and S24 high-power mortars.
BY the end OF December we shall have
seventy-seven high-power guns and ffty-
one high-power carriages One twelve-inch
gun Is mounted at Sandy Hook and an
other soon will be. and three OF this cal-
fbre are to be mounted during the year at
San Fra>lcisco- One battery of sixteen
mortars. commanding the southern en-
Aranne to Nav Ferk harbor. u nearly COM