The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-20
COST OF TIE MOVEMENT
What 1t Means to Concentrate the
Troops.
THE PREPARATIONS ACCOMPLISHED
EquirpinG the Regular Army
VIII Bc Two Millions.

Washington, April 19.-Some curiosit,
has been expressed as to the cost to the
government of the pending concentration
of troops. No increase will be noted In
the subsistence department, as the same ra-
tions will be issued as when the soldiers
are in the posts. The extra cost comes en-
tirely in the domain OF the quartcrmastei
what this would amount to, Quartermaster
General Luddington said:
ut is absolutely impossible to make any
estimate. We can not tell now whether il
will cost 100000 or 100000, or any other
stated amount. Troops are moved very
cheaply by railroads where there is compe-
tition. Rate sheets and tariff agreements
are then thrown to the winds and competi-
ton often brings the rate down to a fifth
or less of the regular tariff. The roads
are up to all kinds of lodges to pet the
best of each other. Where there Is no com
Petition not a penny of the regular rates
Is aDated. All we can do in this case is
10 get bids, award the contracts and nav
The bills when they come in.
lhe moves to be made this week are
nearly all long ones. To move Is 900 men
30UV animals, all the WAGONS, baggage. guns
ETC. VIII take an enormous number of cars
me men VIII average about thirty to the
car ana where there ara twelve or more
ofheers sleeper is furnished This of IT,
self means over 800 cars. Then II taks,
about two baggage cars for each sixty men
ihat makes 250 more cars A battery of
Sixty men takes about four gondola or fiat
cars for the guns, two stock cars for the
horses, and the cavalry takes stock cars
ana baggage cars. The equipment is rot
an aiike ana these things vary. Prices
Tor this transportation will also run IN to
the regular passenger tariff so the fig
ures can not be given until the returns
are i'm
IL is safe to say, however that this move
ment of troops will cost at least $500 900
rms is not the only expense attached 10 the
preparations for war, however The regular
army has now available about 1000 mules
SIX thousand one hundred and fortv-eight
are considered necessary for operations in
the held and orders have been given for IN,
purchase of the fun quota These mules
VIII cost half million dollars Each troon
of cavalry will be then enquipped with
eighteen draft mules and twelve pack mules.
Each light battery viii have the same AMI
each company of infantry will have twelve
draft mules and ten pack mules. This al
'owenee is sufficient to create reserve
Train as we'll as TO move the effects of the
troops in action.
The professional packers and mules now
n Alaska belonging 20 the army. have been
jIdcred back to the Pacific coast and will
hen be taken to the gun
The entire cost of moving and enuippi1y
he regular army will, by Saturday night
AMOUNT TO fully two millions dollars more
han the usual expenditures for the week
without including purchases OF arinuuI-
ion and other emergency supplies.
a great many orders of minor importance
ire issued every hour from the adiutant
generals office. These relate mostly 10 |
promotions changes of station and detail !
Every officer and man available for active |
service has been ordered
Until the call for volunteers is issued the |
var department will be occupied solely with |
he numberless details of organizing and |
the coast camps TO be established |
his week. When the volunteer army ma |
erializes. an element will enter into the |
military department of the Federal gov |
which has been absent for nver
hlrty years. Preparations have been made
'owever, to meet the emergency All the
Necessary blanks and stationery for organ
zing such a force have been prepared and
III that IS needed now is the name of Tho
olunteers TO MI out the line on the muster
oil.