The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-11-22

Care was extended so far as 1t was pos
sible to all who needed relief. The sur
geon generals report showed that the
army enjoyed excellent health during
1896, the death rate being only o.44 per
thousand. The number of days lost on
account of sickness for each man IN the
army was 12.43 days, as compared Win
1887 in the previous year and l4'So the
average Of the previous decade.
The general impression that whlte
troops excel colored troops in point OF
health is shown to be contrary TO tne
facts. The surgeon general recommend
ed a return to the former practice OF
providing public quarters for stated
number of married men in each organ
ization. This on account of the unsan-
itary condition of their present quar-
ters at many posts. The secretary
says that while there is force in the
suggestion, the enlistment of married
men is diScountenanced because OF the
frequent liability to change of station,
and to build up quarters as recon-
mended would add largely to the eX-
pense, and indirectly encourage that
which is not favored by the military
authorities. The paymaster general
shows that a further appropriation Of
$95,927 is required to complete payment
of the army for the year ended June
30, 1897. 1t also appears probable that
further appropriation of not less than
$450,000 will be required to enable the
army to be paid in full for the first
fiscal year ending June 80, 1898. There
is an increase in the estimate for the
next year over the appropriation for
the year ending June 80, 1898, of $685.
112.
General Flagler, chief of ordnance,
reports the number of seacoast guns
manufactured was about so per cent.
more than in any preceding year and
urges the Importance of securing a sup
ply of powder and projectiles especial
ly the latter) for the guns already
mounted. The estimates for armament
OF Notifications for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1899, is TAGS, 051, or $685.
24S In excess OF the appropriation for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1898.
Secretary Alger urged that the esti-
mates of the chief of ordnance be ap-
proprfated. The providing of adequate
seacoast defences, while extensive now,
Will cease as soon as the requirements
are fulfilled, and the secretary believes
1t will be a wise economy to push for
ward that great work to the fullest
extent. The chief signal officer, in
continuance of experimental work with
military balloons, asks an appropria-
ton of $4,000 for the purpose.
Secretary Alger says this is an OBJ
ject which needs Investigation, and as
the amount asked for is not large he
recommends it, as also the estimate of
| $4,000 for cable systems for the har-
bors OF New York, Boston and San
| Francisco. The reports or the battle
| field commission show that the work
| at Antietam is almost finished, and no
| further appropriation is needed At
| Gettysburg and Chickamauga the mag
| n1tude of the work is commensurate
with the Importance of the battles COM
| nemorated. At Shiloh the work is not
yet beyond the commencement stage.
| The army department expenditures for
| the fiscal year ending June 80, 1897,
were $49,350,136. The appropriations for
| the present fiscal year are given as
| $50, 832, AIT, while the estimates for the
next fiscal year is 500, 25S, 445. Expendi-
| lures from permanent annual appro-
| priations and appropriations for war
| claims are not included in the above.