The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-04
SEATTLE'S IMPORTANCE
AS 0UTHTT|NG PORT.
1T Is CORDIALLY RECOGNIZED IN
REPORT OF GEN. LUDINGToN.
Rotary of War of the Advantages
Possessed by Seattle and Gives
Details of what Has Been Done.

Special Dispatch TO the Post-Intelligencer.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3.--The growing
Importance of Seattle as an Quitting
port for the army transport service is
cordially recognized in the annual report
of Quartermaster General Ludington, to
the secetary of war. Gen. Ludington says
that by reason of the large demands
made upon his department in supplying
the troops in Alaska. Hawaii. The Phil
ippines and China, the quartermaster de-
partment already at Seattle under charge
of w. w. Robinson. jr.. now major and
quartermaster of United States volun-
teers, was made available during the last
year for the purpose of chartering and
fitting out transports. purchasing supplies
and assisting In other important work In
connection with the sailing of army
transports frcm Puget sound.
THE facilities afforded at Seattle and
Tacoma" the general adds, for the
accomplishment of this work, were util-
lied by this department to the fullest
extent consistent with the urgent re-
quirements of the service During the As
cal year, 1908 troops. $40 civilians. 4o54
animals. 26,6s3 tons of cargo and 7,e71
thousand feet OF lumber were shipped on
chartered and other army transports,
sailing from Puget sound"
A careful reading of the quartermaster
generals report in other parts, so far
as 1t relates to the transport service,
makes II evident that here is O decided
preference for Seattle instead OF San
Francisco. when the natural advantages
OF the two places are taken into ac-
count The fact. however. that there is
depot quartermasters office. long since
established In San Francisco, makes II a
question of some little time when Seat
tie will become the more important of
the two In connection with army trans
port business.
sixteen Transports.
The report shows that there are now in
the transport service on the Pacific six
teen vessels. with capacity for carrying
approximately 900 officers and 5000 men,
and $4,000 tons OF freight. Among these
IL the Dickinson. the purchase of which,
at Seattle. at cost OF s145.00o. Is par
ticularly referred to in the report.
Gen. Ludington notes in his report that
at Vancouver barracks, Washington.
three camps with hospital equipment were
established for the use of volunteer or
ganfzations recruited there These
camps were provided with water
ana sewer connections. After the de-
parture Of the volunteers the movable
effects of the camps were stored, and
with little effort camp accommodations
could now be provided for a regiment OF
infantry.
In order TO control the water supply for
Fort Columbia, Washington. the secre-
tary OF war. on May T. 1899, authorized
the purchase OF lots l. . and 4. OF the
Willamette meridian, covering fifty-three
acres. adjoining the reservation, from
the Northern Pacific railway. In con-
nection Herewith. the president, on NAV
8, 1893, reserved for the same purpose lot
3. OF the Willamette meridian, Pacific
county. covering about thirty-three acres.
Work Accomplished.
A good deal OF space is taken up In
describing the work OF the auartermas-
ter's department In connection with the
new department OF Alaska. The follow
ing paragraphs refer to this work:
THE cost of building materials pur-
chased in the United States tmostly on
Puget sound) for the department of
Alaska was s353.664. The posts at Fort
Egbert and Fort Gibbon were partially
constructed during the last year. The
Michael, Cape Nome and Port valdes
were commenced in the spring of 1900,
lumber for the purpose being purchased
at Seattle and Tacoma.
AT Fort Egbert buildings for the ac-
comodation OF company OF infantry
have been completed at a cost of s6S, sra Is.
At Fort Gibbons. one barrack. four Of
ficers' quarters. o hospital, three store
scout. etc, bath house and an Ice
house were completed on July 25 1900.
Approximate cost, ss3.5s5.S0.
For Fort I.iscum post there has been
authorized two single and one double
officers quarters. and noncommissioned
quarters, barrack building for 100. an
adJutant's Office, a guard house and other
buildings. costing s306.5o0
The construction authorized at Fort
Davis fCape Nome) consists OF one sin
gle and three double officers quarters,
two barracks for 100 men each An ad-
jutant's office, n guard house. an amusc-
ment room, a bath house hospital,
three store houses. a stable, forage
house and corral bake house, n shop
building. an oil house. etc. costing $4,000.
AT Fort st. Michael the construction
OF one single and three double officers
quarters and other quarters cost So, 463
IAN expenditure of 1886 was author
iyed for the construction OF the road from
Fort Naldes TO Eagle city. $40 for two
distilllng plants x,l25 for condensing
plants and fire cxtinguishers. and siis so. 20
for other miscellaneous purposes"