The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-11-24
ALeER,s EIRsT REPoRr.

The Secretary of War Tells of the Needs OF
Our Military EstablIshment-GenerOsity
Of Two Ohicers is Praised.
Washington, Nov. % In his first
annual report Secretary Alger makes
many recommendations for the better
ment of the administration of the war
department, based upon the conclu-
sions of his subordinate officers. He
wishes to add two regiments to the
artillery branch, pointing to the val
liable Notifications now being erected,
which he's says should not be manned
by a corporal's guard. He says OF
Alaska that 100, 900 people will be gath
cred there next year, and military
force should be sent to the territory
and large emergency powers should be
granted to the president to repress
lawlessness. Probably the creation OF
additional military reservations, like
that of st. Michaels 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 increased pay for
the enlisted men serving in Alaska.
Secretary Alger recommends the re-
vival of the grade Of lieutenant gen.
eral, saying that all great nations give
their officers much higher rank than
does the United States. He indorses
the recommendation of the superin-
tendent of the military academy that
the number of students at West Point
be increased by allowing each senator
to nominate cadet AS an alterna'
tive he suggests that the president be
authorized to appoint ten cadets al
large each year.
Until recently the hospital at Hot
Springs was open only to soldiers o.
the regular army, but Secretary Algei
has amended the regulations so as tc
authorize the admission of suitable
cases among veterans of the late war
An increase in the engineer corps ir
officers and enlisted men is indispens
able. He points to the immense value
and extent of the work now in th'
hands of this corps and contends tina
it could be better supervised and i'm
proved by the assignment of more off
GERS. which is now impossible.
Secretary Alger transmits the esti
mate of the chief of engineers for th
next fiscal year. amounting to S4S, 72S,
1860, Laore than double the appropriation
for the current year. He says thes
are largely in excess of what the.
should be at time when the demand
upon the treasury are as great as now
therefore he recommends large re
duction. In justice to the chief of en-
gineers Secretary Alger says these est
mates were made by his own direC
tion, that the facts might be placed bt
fore congress, showing what expend
lures would be if the requirements @
the river and harbor laws were CON
piled with, and he cites the fact tina
the outstanding continuous contract
for river and harbor work will requir
an expenditure of over S17,OOO,OOO fo
the next fiscal year.
Secretary Alger especially commend
: for patriotism, generosity and zet
Col. Burlington and Capt. Crozier, tn
inventors of the disappearing gun ca
| riage, who donated the invention t
the government The report close
with the renewal of the recommend
tion that provision be made for tn
. erection in Washington of statue
Gen. Grant:
The estimates for the next fisc,
e year aggregate 800, 25s, 445, as againi
$62, S32, AIT, the amount of the appr
/ priation for the current year. tn
. principal items of increase are In RI
: ers and harbors.