The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-04
WANTED, A REGIMENT
COMMERCIAL CLUB TALKS OF Sc
CURING A MILITARY POST.
Mai. Varney Suggested that Indian
apOIis Get an Immense Testing
Plant for the Arsenal.

For several weeks there has been under
consideration by the Commercial Club a
project to secure at indianapolis a regi-
ment Of United States infantry. 1t is
urged in support of the project that the
central location of Indianapolis and it's
railroad facilities in all directions makes it
an exceptionally advantageous point as
headquarters for troops. The surroundings
of the city are such, also, that ii seems TO
be important that troops should be located
here. In a business way it would be adj
vantageous TO the city, as an expenditure
of from $4,000 TO $4,000 a month by the
government for the support of troops would
be an important addition to the trade of
the city. Besides, the location of a regi-
ment at this point would bring with it
also a military band, which, with the reg
ular drills of the troops, would be an at
tractive feature of city life. AS it seems
likely that it will be the policy of the gov
eminent TO transfer troops from the In
dian reservations in the West to points
near the large cities, now seems to be
favorable time for urging consideration of
Indianapolis as one of these points. The
matter has been under consideration for
some time and is taking shape.
At the meeting of the directors yester-
day afternoon Secretary Fortune reported
that he had recently had a talk with Major
Varney, of the Indianapolis arsenal, re-
garding the project, and Major Varney had
expressed the opinion that while he be-
leved it would be desirable to have in
fantry located at this point that he thought
it would be a mistake to propose the
arsenal property for this purpose. He says.
for obvious reasons, the troops should be
miles from the city, and that it is the
policy of the army not to quarter them in
Inhabited districts: A letter from Major
VarEey making further suggestions with
reference to the project was read as fol-
lows:
Referring to my recent conversation with
you concerning the advisability of quarter
ing line troops at this arsenal L wish to
say further what / omitted to say on that
occasion, viz. that if the Commercial Club
desires to take any steps toward increas-
ing the usefulness and Importance OF this
arsenal it would be vastly better for local,
as well as for the national interests, to
endeavor to secure instead the establish
ment here of a large physical laboratory,
which should include in its equipment a
testing machine of equal or greater ca
pacity han that of the famous machine at
Watertown Arsenal. Massachusetts,
THE WATERFOWL machine has a capacity
of nearly one million pounds and a marvel
Gus accuracy throughout the range of its
tremendous power, making it a recognized
triumph of mechanical genius not only in
this country but throughout the civilized
world 1t has been in constant use for
more than twenty years under the imme-
date charge of Mr.. James T.. Howard,
an accomplished civil engineer, acting un-
der the direction of the chief Of ordnance.
To thorough preliminary technical train
ing Mr.. Howard has added rich practical
experience. which has made him the best
living authority on the strength of ma
terials. He has made all the scientific
tests which have led to the improvements
of steel. which made possible the con-
struction of the largest types Of high pow
The
of his experiments has covered not only
the experimental work of the ordnance
States army and navy but also of thou
sands of establishments engaged in con-
struction, work in architecture and every
known department. of engineering, civil,
mechanical. electrical. mining etc, in this
country and even beyond the sea.
THE demand for the work has outgrown
the capacity. if not of Mr.. Howard, that
of the machine. great as it is, and there
should be another in the interior Of the
without transporting material over such
long distances. Such a machine, with the
would cost in the neighborhood of $780,
600. The necessary buildings with suitable
equipments, including chemical laboratory,
etc. would cost much more. There is
an admirable location for such estab-
lishment at the north end of the arsenal
grounds on Clifford avenue. 1t would be
a splendid acquisition for the city of In
dianapolis as we'll as for the country at
large, and if the Commercial Club can
to be considered a public benefactor
ION the other hand. there can be no
infantry, post in the vicinity of Indianapolis
is sound and wise. Its location. however,
within the city limits would not be APP
my judgment men could a5 the War Department r Mt
be induced to consent to 1t: 1t should not
be nearer than Broad Ripple or the bluffs
of White river to the northwest of the
town. A regiment located would in
sure peace and quiet for the city,. disci-
also also OF vast importance. it Would be in
the best possible position for duty at all
points in the Ohio and Mississippi valleys.
Much more could be said upon all these
points. but this is sufficient to place the
matter before the club from my stand
point"
The directors, after discussion of the sub
ject. unanimously offered a vote of thanks
to Major Varney for his suggestions and
referred his letter to the committee on city
interests for consideration in connection
with the steps which have already been
taken by that committee.
A letter from Mr.. L. T.. Huston, secretary
of the Business Mems Association, of Can
Melton, urging consideration of project
for building railroad line from 1ndianapo-
lis to the south by way Of Cannelton, was
referred to the committee on city interests
pointed General Carnahan member of the
committee on city interests.
Another important matter which was con-
sidered by the directors was the Sugges-
ton reported to the officers as coming
from business men TO the effect that the
mali, express ana freight 1aclllIleS OF lnul-
annapolis could in some respects probably
be improved by a change of train schedule
Business men had complained to the Off
GERS Of the club that mail and express sent
from Indianapolis does not reach some
points between this city and the neighbor-
ing cities of Chicago, Cincinnati, Louisville
and st. Louis s early when sent from
these cities, where the distance from the
points are equal. In the opinion Of the
directors steps should be taken to remedy
this, so that indianapolis would at least
have equal advantages in reaching points
as near to ii as other cities. The secretary
was authorized to take up the matter by
correspondence with business men and in
vte from them definite statements as TO
their complaints. with a view 10 bringing
about advantageous changes. Charles Z.
Test and Arthur c. Newly were admit
ted to membership in the club. Both Mr..
Test and Mr.. Newly made stock subscrip-
tons of $780,