The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-11-30

AS TO SEA COAST DEFENsES
At the Present Rate OF Appropria-
tlons II Will Take Seventy
Years to Defend Our
Ports Properly.

the betterment OF the service. and
speaking of the coast defenses. lays
particular stress upon the slowness
with which congress desires In that
regard are being executed The ex-
penditures for the fiscal year. ending
June 80, 1895. have been So. 2.9s7. $50. The
appropriation for the year ending June
80. 1896. was s4s.466.571. and the esti-
mates for the following year are placed
at s51. .945.e4s.
The report of the officers In command
of the several geographical depart
ments show that the year has been
tranquil and undisturbed by Indian
outbreaks. domestic violence. or trou-
bles on the border. Steady and gen.
eral effort to improve the service has
brought the troops everywhere to a
highly satisfactory condition as to dis
cipline, efficiency In military exercises
and soldierly. patriotic spirit The num-
Der OF enlisted men in service on Oct.
81. was 25.35s. Excluding those on the
sick list. ETC.. the effective list Il placed
at 20.5s4 of all arms.
The secretary concurs In the recon-
mendation Of the paymaster general
that the entire amount of pay earned
by each enlisted man be paid to him
monthly. BY far the most essential
need of our army to-day Is the adoption
OF a characterization formation. The
reasons for this change. and a way to
provide II were stated In the report Of
the department for 1894. Secretary La
mont goes on at considerable length to
discuss these plans. He says: RE
trenchment in the administrative
branches of the war department has
reduced expenditures for the current
fiscal year by upward OF half a million
dollars compared with last year. and
the estimates contemplate further re-
trenchment for the coming fiscal year.
These economies in the administration
of the war department may properly
be turned to the benefit OF the army
and, so regarded. the proposed increase
IN numbers and the higher efficiency in
organization of the enlisted men may
be obtained at an increase OF only
about 100000 over sums hitherto ap-
propriated annually to the war depart
ment.
The proposition outlined contem-
plates an increase in the number of
line officers. involving an increase for
salaries of about 100000. This increase
of expenditures should be met and
more than overcome by reductions IN
the expenditures for the stan. one
fourth of all the officers are perman-
emily assigned to staff duties. or the
entire amount appropriated for the
current fiscal year for pay OF officers.
IS, 06s, ,75o nearly one-third. s1.6lo.57o.
was required for the salaries of the
STAFF 1t must be conceded that the ra-
- 40. HF4aa In mil ffQr- q
Establishment is decidedly out OF proper
ton, and that attention may well be
directed to some adjustment which vial
In effect increase efficiency and at the
same time permit the transfer OF a
fund of no small amount to purposes
tending to promote the welfare OF the
whole service.
The head OF each stan corps should,
I'm my Judgment. be selected for a term
of years, the officer at the expiration
of mis- term to resume duty In his COM
mand grade, unless reappointed. The
act approved Oct. /, 1890. to provide for
the examination OF certain officers of
the army and 10 regulate promotions
has proved to be a great stimulus to
the younger officers to pursue COM
prehensive course of reading and
StuQIlDk CdItuidltl " tIitIn tIlt
higher and more important grades. To
stimulate the requirement of such
knowledge. II Is recommended that the
provisions of the act above cited be
extended 50 as 10 provide for the ex-
animation Of au officers of the line and
staff of army below the grade OF col
onel prior to promotion.
Coming down TO the question of sea
at ~
makes mention of the appropria tions
made therefor by congress. and con-
tinues: The original plan contemplat-
ed an expenditure OF ss7. 72s. 500 at the
end of the present year. The actual
expenditures and appropriations for
armament and emplacements have.
however. been but slo.63l. 900. The
average annual appropriation for
these two objects have been less than
81 SOC. 900. The work has. therefore.
been conducted at about one-seventh
the rate proposed. II future appro-
priations for the manufacture of guns.
mortars and carriages be larger than
the average used for the purpose since
1sss, Il will require 22 years more to
supply the armament OF the Is import
ant ports for which complete projects
are approved II the appropriations
for the engineer work are to continue
AZ the rate OF annual appropriations
since 1880 81 will require 70 years TO
complete the emplacements and plat
forms for this armament for the ports
referred 70. II rests with congress 20
determine by its appropriations the
period which shall eiapse before our
coasts shall be put In satisfactory
condition OF defense. The amount re-
auired for the IL ports II about 49,
100000 and the entire work can be
completed within 10 years
The distribution of duty and re-
sponstblli<y under existing laws where