The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-12-01

Washington, Nov 3O.-The annual
report Of Secretary Lamont shows a
saving of half million dollars in SAL
aries and contingent expenses in the
administration of the war departmenr
at Washington, besides economies in
the recruiting service, rents, ETC. Ex-
penditures for the last fiscal year were
s56,O39,OO9; appropriations for the cur
rent year are $50, ,112; estimates for
the next year are s52. 31S. $40.
1t was found necessary at times dur
ing the period from March to July, in
various places to employ a considerable
part of the army to execute the orders
of United States courts, otherwise sue
cessfulIy defied and resisted, to protect
the dispatches 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 extraordinary
tasks imposed upon officers and men
were discharged promptly, firmly and
judiciously, attesting to the thorough
efficiency Of every branch of service.
On October 1, the army numbered:
Officers, 2,136; enlisted men, 25.772. OF
the latter. for various causes, only
2O,114 were effective.
Secretary Lamont earnestly recon-
mends legislation to establish the bat
talon formation now adopted by the
armies OF every other civilized nation.
10 effect that change, he recommends
return TO the law of 1870 fixing a r
$4,000 the limit of the army. BY the
changes proposed the army will be
increased 2G per cent in efficiency. 1917
IN numbers and only s per cent IN. cost
CT maintenance. The actual combative
strength will thus become about 25. 900
the number now contemplated by law.
out which is reduced by detachments
ana otherwise to about 10000 1t is
proposed to add two companies to each
OF the 20 infantry regiments and two
batteries to each of the five artillery
regiments No increase in cavalry is
The cost of the increased
OF men would be g. 20O. 600 an
nuaHy, but retrenchment has reduced
administration expenses Of the war de-
partment at Washington $500 900. and
by applying these economies to the
benefit of the army. efficient organiza-
ton and greater strength can be Oh
tanned at an increase OF only 500. 900
IL IS proposed to meet the necessary
increase in line officers by redu,.-
tons in the staff. and ~
this end consolidation of fine
qua-rtermasters, pay and subsistence
departments in one bureau of supplv
IS recommended. The three recruiting
depots have been abolished, ADDING
l,5O0 men to the effective strength and
reducing expenditures about 100000
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 charac-
ter of recruits is improved and last
year only 1871 out of 1851 applicants
were accepted. All recruits must now
write the English language and must
be citizens of the United States, or
nave declared their intentions.
OF 2,710 men discharged by expfra-
ion of service, ,2,o79 reenlisted. Deset-
ions show q large decrease. The re-
peal of the law requiring a percentage
If the pay OF the enlisted men to be
'etained until honorably discharged is
recommended.
Seven regiments have been armed
With the new Magazine rifle and by
Nay 1 the infantry will be completely
equipped with the new arm. The man
fracture of that arm will continue to
quip IT, militia. he ...anufacture of
modern field and siege artillery has
,een continued. Sea coast defense
nay now be prosecuted as rapidly as
Congress makes appropriations fer the
purpose, and if these are sufficient the
project of the Endicott board can be
,arried out in twelve and one-half
ears. The total cost of finishing the
armament of our twenty-eight chief
eaports is estimated to be $40, 639,9S7
or guns; $9.801, 120 for mortars; ST., 500
90 for gun carriages, and $5,2S2, 600 for
Mortar caring s. Total, including con-
ract work of $50, 227, 24S.
Secretary Lamont observes that
he statue to General Grant has
,een erected between the cap
tol and the congressional library.