The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-01
WAR SECRETARY WANTS DATA.
FACILITIES FOR MOBILIZING GEOR-
GAS TROOPS.

The Quartermaster General of GeOr-
gIa Writes General Freight Agent
Papy For Detailed Information
with Regard to Schedules and
Rates-Wants to Know How Quick
$500 Troops Could he Moved From
South Georgia Points to savannah.
The Information VIII he Filled
with the Secretary of Wharf.-The
Letter the Cause of Much SpecuIa-
ton.
Judging from letters which are being
sent to the transportation lines In this
section, the war department is getting in
formation with regard to the facilities for
mobilizing troops in case of an emer-
gency.
a letter from Quartermaster Gen. An
drew j. West of the state volunteer
troops, written, it appears at the in
stance OF the Secretary of War, has been
received by Mr.. f. b. Papy. general
freight agent of the Plant system, in
which specific and detailed information
was asked with regard to the facilities
for moving 900 troops from towns in
southern and southwestern Georgia and
modifying them in Savannah.
Mr. Papy when seen yesterday
by a representative of the Morn
ing News, could not get at the
letter but stated that it covered a page
and was closely typewriter. 1t asked Tor
detailed information as to schedules that
could be furnished at what rate of speed
troops could be transported if special
trains could be furnished and on how
short notice, what rate could be made,
and urged rate of / cent a mile.
The information desired was with re-
gard to the transportation of as many as
$500 soldiers from Albany, Thornasville,
Valdosta, Quitman, Triton, Waycross,
Brunswick and other points along the line
of the system to Savannah for the pur-
pose of mobflizing them here in case there
should be any necessity for taking such
action. Col West wanted to know all
about the facilities, and stated that the
information thus obtained would be plac-
ed on file with the Secretary of War.
1t is inferred from this that the Secre-
tary of War has been in correspondence
with the state authorities, and is gather
ing all this data so as to be prepared to
lay plans in case of an emergency. 1t
makes it begin to look as if the United
States meant business, and was getting in
shape TO know just what it's resources are
in case there is any cali for them.
Mr.. Papy has not yet answered the let
ter, but will do so to-day. He has re-
ferred the portion of it with regard to
transportation to the transportation de-
partment, and that with regard to rates
TO the passenger department and full in
formation on the points asked about will
be sent on at once
Mr. Papy says there will be no trouble
whatever in furnishing the special trains
on very short notice should they be want
ed and as for schedules, if necessary,
he says. the troops can be moved at the
rate of sixty miles an hour. 1t is prob
able that the cent a mile rate would be
given, though Mr. Papy could not speak
definitely on this point.
1t Is reported that similar letters have
been received by the officials of the Cen
trail of Georgia Railway Company and
the Florida Central and Peninsular.
though this could not be verified. From
the tenor of the letter, however, Mr..
Papy thinks it likely that such letters
have been sent TO other lines, as 1t would
seem information is sought with regard
to facilities for mobilzing all the state
The request for this information has
puzzled the railroad authorities no little.
War has not been declared with SPAIN
nor does 1t seem so far that there is
likely to be any difficulty, still there
is no telling what day may bring forth
and it is on this principle. perhaps, that
the war department is seeking to get on
file all the data with just what troops
would be at its disposal and what the
| facilities are for moving them rapidly.
Savannah is mentioned as the point at
| which it would be desirable to mobilize
| the troops, as in case of any difficulty.
| this is the point at which they would be
| most needed. or the point from which
| they could be sent in the easiest manner
to other places where they were needed.
| In case of any difficulty with Spain, there
| is little doubt that almost the entire state
| forces would be modified here and at
| Brunswick, as the coast cities would be
| the places where the country's defense
would be mustered.
Such a suggestion as this letter con-
tains, will, no doubt, call to mind 20 many
of the older Savannahians scenes of the
war and reconstruction periods. when
there were hundreds of troops here, or at
| the fortihcatiOns outside, which defend
| the city. Savannah can, no doubt afford
| ample facilities for taking care of the
! troops IL they should ever be brought
here, and she can put a regiment or two
IN the field, along with them, herself.
| However all this may be, there is little
suspicion in anyope's mind that there will
be any necessity at present for the mob
| ilizing of Georgia's troops here, or that
the Plant system viii be called upon az
| a very early date to haul them along at
the rate Of sixty miles an hour 1t is in
teresting 10 know, nevertheless, that the
department Is getting everything in read
mess should the blow come.
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