Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-17
GEN. o. o. HOWARD'S REPORT
He Recommends That the Army Be
Doubled in Size.
He Believes It to he the Best Possible
Means of Preserving the Peace
Under Present Conditions.

Acting Secretary Doe today made public
the annual report OF Major General .. q.
Howard, commanding the department OF the
east. II Is the last annual report of that
officer. as he goes on the retired list next
month, and has unusual interest on that
account. He details the operations OF the
troops In his department in connection with
the labor troubles at Chicago. and states his
conclusions briefly follows:
Just now the National Guard in several
states in the department is well organized
and responds promptly to every call OF duty;
still. IL more than one state is involved in
any event growing out of anarchy, the ex-
ecutive will always require his own troops
They will be essential to his execution of
the laws and maintenance OF order. or
course, governors OF states could cooperate,
but they might disagree, or be reluctant In
meeting sudden emergency. 1 strongly
recommend an increase of the army TO at
least double the size OF our present force
1t will, in my judgment, be like an adequate
police, the best possible method OF preserv-
ing the peace until many vexatious ques-
uons which are now troubling our country
are put at rest by a solution satisfacto to
the people OF the nation.
Infantry Reorganization Recommend
ed.
Gen. Howard tells of the steps taken for
the protection of sea ports and the i'm
provement Of military ordnance, and ex-
presses the opinion that already our coast
defenses are in fairly good condition, and
that In conjunction with our ever increas-
ing naval armament there would be little
fear from outside aggression.
He says there is need of the reorganiza-
ton Of the infantry, which should, as rec
three battalions, and thus conform to the
artlllery and cavalry. This is necessary
particularly In an army like ours which
may need to be expanded at any time.
Inc skeletonized companies should, In his
Judgment, be again Tilled, there is need
Tor more troops. and any increase in our
Iorce should include the reorganization of
these companies.
Condition of Washington Barracks.
According to Gen. Howard the discon-
tinuance of the large recruiting depots at
Davids Island NY, and Columbus, Ohio,
ana the plan Of sending the recruits to their
companies more rapidly than has been done
In the past will result in promoting the
efficiency of the men. There seems to be
no dlfilculty, he says, in obtaining all the
men We need, and of a good class.
In chapter on posts he says:
AT foft Monroe, Va, a mouern hospital
ana new gymnasium are needed rne
sewerage system at this post Is sttll bad,
ana the water supply insufficient. Jne
commanding officer suggests an artesian
wei % d iciicuy AL w dSn-
inSton barracks, ID. c., the guard house is
Inadequate. and the stencil from a neigh
boring factory is complained of. The ques-
ton as to the removal OF this factory is al
ready before the District Commissioners
AT Fort McHenry, Nd, a part of the ceme-
terry has been washed away. 1t is recon-
mehded that the bodies be removed to a
national cemetery"
plimcnts for the National Guard
With respect to the National Guard, Gen.
Howard says:
The troops of this command have main-
tained their pleasant relations with the
National Guard during the year. The re-
ports published regarding the marches and
encampments of the combined forces are
most favorable and iattering to the officers
and men of our army. The entire perform
aEce at Sea Girt, n. j., gave great credit to
and men OF the National Guard. SO much
progress with so little time allotted is re-
markable.
1T would be of great advantage to have
the National Guardsmen near forts have
more instruction In the seacoast defenses
wherever possible. This can be done with
little or no expense to the government"
His Closing Words.
In closing his report he says:
Before the time for another report
shall close the period of my active service.
My connection with the army from 1850,
when 1 became a cadet, till the present
time, when have reached the age of COM
pulsory retirement, affords me pleasure in
the retrospect No service, however has
been more agreeable to me, personally, than
that of the last six years In connection
with this department. And the satisfaction
arises in the ma in from the Uniform loyalty,
energy and efficiency shown by the person.
mel of my command, by those Immediately
around me, and not less by those at remoter
posts and garrisons. AS / wrote in closing
my report last year, SO 1 urge again upon all
the motive of efficiency and attainment
rather than the hope of high rank, which,
in our small army, is seldom achieved"