The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-03
CONCENTRATING TROOPS,
The Smaller Army Posts to Be
Moved to the New
PreSidiO.
Angel Island, AIcatraz and BenicIa
Barracks VIII Be Abolished
in Time.

The extensive improvements at the Pre-
sidio are said to have a significance beyond
the mere accommodation of troops now at
that post. 1t has been given out that the
new buildings of brick and stone were
simply to take the place of the old frame
houses, but this was not altogether cor
rect, inasmuch as the capacity for housing
troops is to be doubled and the alterations
have been intended to lead up eventually
to a magnificent military establishment
where large bodies of soldiers could be
comfortably CHARTERED.
1t was stated yesterday by an officer on
General Forsyth's staff that there was no
immediate or special cause for this con-
centration of men and it's accompanying
enlargement of quarters. He explained
that the work of tearing down the old,
mean-looking and not perfectly healthful
buildings and of reconstruction of the
Preside post in durable materials would
go on for some years. Indeed, much de-
pended on Congress, or more particularly
on the California representatives in Con-
gress, as to how far the Preside improve
ment might be carried, since appropria-
tons necessary to complete the work
would have to be secured possibly against
opposition.
The new structures, so he said, were de-
signed to serve a double purpose-to be
ornamental as we'll as useful-so that the
Preside post should be worthy of the
Government and an object of pride in
military and civil circles alike.
The changes at the Presidio," said he,
r"are in line with the7poliey of the Govern
ment to concentrate troops at posts
posts throughout the interior have ceased
to be OF any use; that is, the need for
them has passed away, and then, of course,
they became an unnecessary expense
The policy is to abolish these posts and
move the troops to the larger ones This
greatly improves the efficacy of the troops,
as they can be better disciplined and
drilled, and the esprit is far better pre-
served that when small numbers of men
are scattered far apart
As the accommodations are enlarged
at the Presidio. it is intended that troops
from small posts will be transferred to it..
Such places as Angel Island, Alcatraz, and
perhaps Benicia barracks, will be abol-
1shed and the troops moved to the Presidio.
In addition to improving the standard
OF the troops, this concentration Will save
the expense OF supplying the small posts.
For instance, a steamer has to be main
tanned on the bay, taking supplies to AL
catraz and Angel Island. Even water
must be taken to Alcatraz. Then. too
provisions, clothing, feed for horses, and
the like, cost much less when used nearer
the center of supply.
"Such considerations have already
broken up many small posts, which are
now absorbed by the permanent posts in
the East. But there is no other reason
for increasing the number of troops at the
Presidlo-no contemplated trouble, no
need for more men for the fortitcations S.
In factthe are quite enough troops at the
Preside to man the forts finished and in
contemplation. The forces could not be
doubled for two years to come, as it would
require at least that time to erect buildings
for as many more troops as are there at
present. In time, however, that will be
accomplished, and then the Preside will
be beautiful park, with buildings that
will be an honor to the Governmentn