, 1897-11-22
MR.ALGERR REPORTS.
RECOMMENDS A HIGHER RANK
FOR THE HEAD OF UNCLE
SANS ARMY.
Estimates for the Fiscal Year Aggre-
gate Higher Than Last Year-Rec-
ommends That They Be Reduced
Increase in the Engineering Corps
and More Regiments Needed.

WacnlngtOn, NOV. 2l.-ln the HrSt
ANIMAL reprot. Secretary Alger makes
many recommendations for the better,
ment of the administration Of the Wal
department, based on the conclusions of
his subordinate officers. He asks favor
able consideration for the proposition
to add two regiments to the artillery
branch, pointing to the valuable forth
fi~cations now being erected. which he
says, should not be manned by a cor
poral's guard.
He says Of Alaska, that as many as
100, 900 people will be gathered there
next year. and a military force should
be sem to the territory and large emer-
gency powers should be granted to the
president to repress lawlessness. Prob
ably the creation of additional military
reservations. like that Of st. Michael's.
may be the best means to meet the
problem. A boat for the patrol Of the
Yukon is also asked for. as we'll as in
creased pay for the enlisted men serv-
ing in Alaska.
Secretary Alger recommends the re-
vival Of the grade Of lieutenant gen.
erals, saying that all the great nations
give their officers much higher rank
than does the United States.
He Endorses the recommendation for
the superintendent of the military
academy that the number Of students
at West Point be increased by allowing
each senator to nominate a cadet. AS
an alternative. he suggests that the
president be authorized to appoint 10
cadets at large each year.
Favorable comment Is made upon the
work Of the military college Of the
country. but it is suggested that the law
be amended SO as to authorize details
Of army officers only to such colleges as
have at least $50 pupils actually pres
ent.
Attention Is called to the need of a
proper system Of criminal Jurisdiction
over military reservations. and Of a hall
of records for the storage of official pa
pers. The estimate for army transpor-
tation is increased by 800. 900 to pro-
vide mean for moving heavy ordin-
ance. To provide for the new posts
needed on the sea coast, an estimate Of
81. 000, 900 is submitted.
Until recently the hospital at Hot
Springs was open only to soldiers Of the
regular army. but Secretary Alger has
Just amended the regulations so as to
authorize the admission of suitable
cases among the veterans of the late
war.
In the opinion Of the secretary. an in
e in the engineer corps in on
GERS and in enlisted men is indis-
pensible. He points to the immediate
value and extent Of the work nov in
the hands Of this corps and contends
that it could be better supervised and
improved in quantity and quality by the
assignment of more officers which Is
now impossible.
Secretary Alger transmits without re-
duction the estimate Of the chief Of en-
gineers for the next fiscal year.
amounting to $4s. 75s, 1853. more than the
appropriation for the current year.. He
says these are largely In excess of what
they should be at a time when the de-
mands On the treasury are as great a.
now, therefore he recommends a large
reduction. In justice to the chief Of the
engineers. Secretary Alger says that
these estimates were made by his own
direction. that the facts might be plac-
ed before congress, showing what the
expenditures Of the river and harbor
laws compiled with. and he cites the
fact that the outstanding continuous
| contracts for river and harbor work
| will require an expenditure Of over
ST 900, 900 for the next fiscal year. The
secretary indorses the project for the
construction Of the ship canal connect
ing lakes Union and Washington with
| Puget sound, but states that active op-
erations cannot be commenced for some
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