The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1897-11-23
SECRETARY ALGER
Suggests That Two Regiments Be Ad-
ded to the Artillery Branch.
Military Force Should Be Sent to Alaska
An Increase In the Number of Ca
diets at the Military Academy Rec
Ommended-Statue to Grant.

Ommended-Statue to Grant.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-In his first
annual report, Secretary Alger makes
many recommendations for the better
ment of the administration of the war
department, based upon the conclus-
sions of his subordinate officers. He
asks favorable consideration for the
proposition to add two regiments to
the artillery branch, pointing to the
valuable Notifications now being,
erected, which he says should not be
manned by a corporals guard. He
says of Alaska that as many as
100, 600 people will be gathered there
next year, and a military force should
be sent to that territory and large
emergency powers should be granted
to the president to suppress lawless-
ness. Probably the creation of addi-
tional military reservations, like that
of st. Michaels, may be the bestmeans
to meet the problem. A boat for the
patrol of the Yukon is also asked for.
as well as increased pay for the en-
listed men serving in Alaska.
Secretary Alger recommends the re-
vival of the grade of lieutenant gen
eral, saying that all the great nations
give their officers much higher ranks
than does the United States.
He indOrSes the recommendation of
the superintendent of the military
academy that the number of students
at West Point be increased by allow
ing each senator to nominate a cadet.
As an alternative he suggests that the
president be authorized to appoint ten
cadets at large each year. =.
Favorable comment is made upon
the work of the military colleges 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 present.
Attention is called to the need of a
proper system of criminal jurisdiction
over military reservations and of hall
of records for the storage of official pa
pers The estimate for army trans
pOrtation is increased by 500, 200 to
provide means for moving heavy
ordinances. To provide for the new posts
needed on the sea coasts an estimate of
s., 900, 600 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
crease in the engineer corps in officers
and enlisted men is indispensable. He
points to the immense value and eX-
tent of the work now in the hands of
this corps, and contends that it could
be better supervised and improved in
quantity and quality by the assign
ment of more officers, which is now i'm
possible.
Secretary Alger transmits without
reduction the estimate of the chief of
engineers for the next fiscal year,
amounting to $4S, 72S, 100. more than
double the appointments for the cur
rent year. He says these are largely
in excess of what they should be at a
time when the demands upon the treas
ury are as great as now, therefore he
recommends large reduction. In
justice to the chief engineer, Secretary
Alger says that these estimates were
made by his own direction, that the
facts might be placed before congress,
showing what the eXpendit ures would
be were all the requirements
of the river and harbor lawG
completed with, and he cites the fact
that the outstanding continuous con-
tracts for river and harbor work will
require an expenditure of OverS17.-
100000 for the next fiscal year. The
secretary indOrSes the project for the
construction of the ship canal connect
ing Lakes Huron and Washington
with Puget sound, but states that
active operations can not be com
menced for some time, as the right OF
way has not yet been acquired.
Secretary Alger especially comments
for patriotism, generosity and zeal
Col. Burlington and Capt. Crozier, the
riage, who generously donated the in
ventiOn to the government.
The report closes with the recon
mendation that provision be made fol
the erection in Washington of statue
to Gen. Grant.
The estimates for the next fiscal yea
aggregate 500, 25s, AS, as against $62,
49,, Az, the amount of the appropria
tions for the current year. The prin
cipal items of increase are in river
and harbOrS, where the estimate i
$4S, 72S, 100, as against the appropria
ton of S23, 27S, OPS; Notifications an,
sea coast defenseS, $13, 37S,57l. a
against S9,517 ,14l, and military posts
parks and cemeteries, 50. 55S 639
against SSS9,S67.
No News From Andree.