Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-23

are required. Already a contract has been
let by the Navy Department for dredging
large part of the harbor Of the island,
so as to permit the entrance of naval ves-
sells, and today bids were opened for erect
Ing there an immense shed, in which the
navy will store large supplies of COAL It
Is realized, however, that without very ma
terial improvements and additions to the
Notifications and armament at Fort Jeffer-
sen it will be impossible to protect the coal
supply from depredations by hostile feet,
unless United States men-of-war were con-
stantly on hand for that purpose The
armament of Fort Jefferson at this time
consists of probably 100 old-time smooth
bore guns, which will be supplemented by
number of additional ones of modern
pattern and effectiveness. When the fort
Is ready battery of artillery will be sta
toned there.
At the War Department..
Secretary Ayers office at the War De-
partment presented an unusually busy
scene today. Much of the Secretary's time
was occupied in conference with the va
rious bureau chiefs of the department in
connection with the preparations that are
pelns made to improve the Notifications on
the seasoast. supplies. transportation and
war should that come. In addition there
We're number of members of Congress
who called to have word with the Secre-
tary, among them being Senator'S Lodge
and Hoar and Representative Marsh of IL
linois. Abner Mckinley, the Presidents
brother, was also among the number who
called, but his stay was of short duration
Reports received at the War Department
show that about 400 men have up to this
time been enlisted for the two artillery
regiments recently authorized by Congress
About LOGO men in all are required. Most
OF the new recruits are sent to join old
regiments, and in many cases experienced
men from the latter are detailed for duty
at the seacoast Notifications.
For the Auxiliary Navy.
If the Navy Department adopts the
recommendation of the naval auxiliary
board, stationed at New York, the steam
ships Yorktown and jamestown of the Old
Dominion Line will soon be added to the
navy. These are modern vessels of high
speed, and can easily be fitted out as arm
ed cruisers. Other vessels which have re-
ceived the favorable notice of the naval
auxiliary board are the Concho Of the
Ward Line, Elsud of the Morgan Line and
the Seneca, Yumuri and Orizaba of the
Ward Lima. They are all first-class steam
ships and could be readily transformed into
auxiliary cruisers.
The State Militia.
Representative Marsh Is chairman of the
House committee on the militia, which has
recently reported the bill to reorganize
that body of state sold;ery, to raise it's
efficiency and to appropriate a million dol
lars for its support. The chairman said
he had recently spoken to Speaker Reed in
regard to the bill and he hopes to be able
TO call it up in the House for consideration
within reasonable time.
During his interview with Secretary AL
ger Mr.. Marsh urged that in the event of
hostiities the first recourse of the govern
ment for soldiers should be the state mill
tia, who should be allowed to volunteer for
the country's defense. These men, he
pointed out, are well organized, well drill
ed and Differed, and are in position to
render very effective service. In view of
these facts Mr.. Marsh believed that it was
the duty of the government to call upon
these ctizen-soldiers for duty in case they
volunteer. If any members or officers of
the guard preferred not to enlist because
of family or business cares and RESPONSE
bilities, then their places might be taken
by volunteers from outside the service.
Secretary Alger was very much interest
ed in the arguments made by Mr. Marsh
and while not committing himself on the
subject. seemed to regard the suggestions
made by him as very practicable After
ward the chairman called on President Nc
Kinley and repeated the statements he had
made to the Secretary
Army Reorganization Bill.
ba tIo,, J.;
unanimously today by the House commit
quently reported to the House. The bill
was agreed en- yesterday. Tut in view of
the significance of the measure il was
deemed best that the committee should
also pass on the report which had been or
cered prepared to insure the correct repre-
sertaIion of the committees views
In passing upon the measure the com
mittee has disposed of every significant
point as to the Presidents functions in
war time There was long discussion
over proposition to insert in the bill an
express provision which would permit the
President to increase the army forces i'm
med1ateiy in case of a sudden grave emer-
gency 1t was pointed out that no Pres
ident ever would take advantage of such a
p1 DIVISION, and that President Lincoln had
set the example and his action had been
subsequently justified
1t was felt by some that where the ne.es-
sity for hasty action was great subsequent
approval of Congress would be sufficient,
and the President should be given some
warrant tor such step, with a require
ment TO secure the approval Of Congress
at the earliest moment practicable The
discussion was not on party lines, but the
republican members of the committee diff
fered among themselves as to the wisdom
OF charging the Presidents functions in
this respect or to have them remain in
statu quo.
Representative Griffing of Wisconsin was
one of those who held out fer enlargement
OF the executive powers. believing there
would be no usurpation Of the opportunity.
ard that in no case would the action be
taken prior to approval. save where justi-
fable. 1t was, however, concluded that
1t would be best to allow the conditions to
remain unchanged. AMI the committee in
serted proviso modifying section two. to
make previous congressional action more
binding. allowing the establishment of
third battalion war formation only upon
rat inn 80