The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-13
War Secretary Points With Pride to
the Figures.
WORK OF DEPARTMENT
ARMY EQUIPMENT, TRANSPOR-
TATION AND SUBSISTENCE.
Amount Of Guns, Ammunition, Ra-
tons and Clothing Supplied to
the Army, Transports Secured and
Transportation Of Trcops-Work
CT Getting the Army Into Shape.

Washington, June 12.-Secretary Alger
today gave out for publication a state
ment showing with exactness just what
has ceen done by the war department in
preparing the army for war. The secre-
tary said that this matter, which had
been carefully prepared by the heads OF
the various departments, of course, omit
ted thousands of details, but still, il might
convey some idea of the vast work &C
complished By the department
The statement comprises reports made
by Quartermaster General burlington,
CommisSary General Egan, chief of ord
nance, General F'lagler. and chief Of en-
gineers General Wilson.
The report of the subsistence depart
ment shows that 1t has. since May a. or
less than a month. loaded y solid miles OF
freight cars with provisions for the army.
This included 19126,945 rations, or 81, $50
tons for the regular and volunteer troops.
Prior to April p, in anticipation OF the
present emergency, the department has
been accommodating small arms cart
ridges, and had about 2O,0Oo.019 of ali
kinds There have been procured many
millions more BY manufacture and Dur-
chase since April q. and the manufacture
and delivery OF small arms cartridges
viii soon reach 100000 per day. Ihere nave
been issued to the army small arms of all
kinds and the supply is sufficient for an
ticipated wants.
Since April 81 the old regular batteries
have had their armament increased from
four guns and caissons to six guns and
ScaisSons. The new regular batteries have
been supplied with six guns and caiSsonS,
and their battery wagons and FORCES.
Sixteen volunteer batteries have been sup
piled either il whole or in part.
The department has sent TO the field a
large number OF five-inch siege guns and
seven-inch siege IIowitzers with their
carriages, timber, platforms, implements,
tools and chests complete; also seven
inch mortarS.
Smokeless powder is being issued for all
field and siege guns. The supply of am
munition already ordered for field cannon
IS now considered sufficient for the pres
ent time.
There have been shipped to the fortif-
cations since April q, many seacoast car
riages, guns for which are already pro-
VioeG.
Rapid-fire guns and an ample supply OF
ammunition, cartridges, shell, shrapnel,
have been purchased, and a portion of
them have already been installed at gov
eminent works.
There have been chartered without Sc
riously hampering the coastwise lines, Al
first-class steamships for transports on
the Atlantic coast, four water vessels. one
tug. three steam lighters and one steam
er of the signal service. All of these had
to be refitted TO a greater or less extent
The government has made most accept
able contracts for coal at New Orleans.
Mobile Tampa, Key West, Savannah and
Fernandins and also coal afloat to fol-
low the transports to Cuba and Porto
Rico.
It has been most difficult to secure ships
on the Pacific ocean. not because of I'M
willingness Of the steamship companies
TO give their ships, but from the fact that
they were not available. for the reason
that most of the companies were trading
across the Pacific and as far south as
Panama, and we could get the vessels
only when they arrive in port In many
instances these companies have had to
charter other vessels TO replace those that
il was necessary for. the government to
have to transact its business. American
registers were required for number of
ships but there was no difficulty in
eventually getting ali the vessels neceS-
sary for transporting troops TO the Phil
iDpines. Because of the long distance
these ships had TO 60 some delays were
caused in fitting them out as transports.
So far, ten vessels have been chartered
The procurement Of the coal for the ex-
petition has been left to the quarter
master on General Merritt's staff favor
able offers by dealers on this side of the
continent being declined, because the dis
lance was too great.
vous points was a vast undertaking. The
volunteer troops have gone to their des-
ma rkable freedom from accident or de-
Law Extremely low rates for transporta-
tion were secured. generally Got exceed
ing ~ cents per mile for passengers and
about half the prevailing tariff for freight
Altogether. the troops transported, reg
ular and volunteer, We're l2G regiments Of
infantry, several regiments of cavalry
and 20 batteries of artillery.
Some of the things purchased by the
Quartermaster's department out of the
long list were $50 cavalry horses, 2,S02
draft mules, 2.109 pack mules 500 small
mules. I500 small horses, 1880 wagons,
425 ambulances. 17,052 single harnesses.
!. 500 saddles and brides 544 draft horses
for siege trains, 1063s2 blankets, 123, 12S
blouses, %. 100 canvas coats and trousers,
*. $50 canton-nannel drawers. 123, 905 sum-
mer drawers, III, 709 campaign hats, $3.50