New-York tribune., 1901-10-14
THE NEEDS OF THE ARMY.
REPORTS OF GENERALS OTIS AND MER-
RIAM OK DEPARTMENTS CONDITION.

r Washington. Oct. l3-MaJor- Otis. in
his annual report for the Department Of the
Lakes says that all post buildings in the de-
partment have been maintained in fair condi-
ton. although many have been without occu-
pancy and show disintegration from climatic
influences With increased garrisons consider
able additional repairs and new construction will
be necessary.
General Otis says that decided want I'm his
department is greater accommodations for gen.
eral and garrison prisoners. The post guard
houses have become overcrowded. With the re
cent rapid recruiting deserters appear 10 be in
creasing. and. at the date OF the Generals re-
port, August Z, there were considerably over
one hundred such prisoners confined in the
guardhouses of the department. The Central
States, from which a large portion Of the United
States army Is drawn, General Otis says. seem
10 give great advantages in the way Of conceal
nent and occupation to the absconding soldier
and hence the post guardhouses OF the Depart
ment OF the Lakes contain representatives Of
many military organizations stationed outside
the limits of that department. The enlarged re-
ward, however. which is now paid for the ar
rest and delivery Of deserters, has greatly de-
creased their former comparative immunity from
punishment.
Up TO August OF this year all the post garri-
Bons in the department had labored under a
scarcity in officers but this scarcity OF officers
began to be made up in August General Otis
calls attention TO the fact that the large money
expenditures shown by the supply officers re-
ports were paid out for the most part on con-
tracts executed in Chicago. Kansas City and
other points for the delivery Of clothing. equi-
page and subsistence shipped TO troops in island
possessions. and not for the expenses OF the de-
partment proper.
In his capacity OF Commander OF the Depart
ment Of the Missouri, General Henry c. Merriam
has made an annual report 10 the War Depart
ment He devotes particular attention TO the
necessity OF better drill work by the soldiers
caused by the incoming Of many recruits.
General Merriam says there is a notion too
often prevalent in the army. especially among
the older officers. that soldier who has once
learned the details of the drill regulations-the
mere mechanism OF tactical and calisthenic ex-
ercses-may be excused from drill without detri-
ment. forgetting that bodies of men can main
tain the power Of collective action only by fire.
quent collective practice. in the simplest
'exercises.
The general strongly indorses e recommenda-
tion of Captain Niche. or the 18th Cavalry, for
a change in the cavalry bit He says that even
with the recent Improvement. which has rem
oered the bit less severe upon the mouths Of
young horses. there is still considerable per-
severity in the use Of the bit He believes
return 10 the double rein is fully justified for at
least half of each troop.
Other recommendations are that the calibre Of
the cavalry revolver be enlarged, and that
31napsack or pack be supplied 10 the infantry
soldier in place Of the blanket bag in use.
A significant statement by Chief Surgeon Kim
ball, Of this department, is that with
paratively few exceptions youths under twenty
two years Of age not able 10 bear up under
the hardships and privatiOns Of active cam
paign, and serve only TO incumber the hospitals
and 10 diminish the efficiency OF the army"
Surprising progress toward self-support by the
Apache prisoners Of is recorded in ap-
pendx by Captain Sayre. in charge Of those
prisoners. He shows that they now have
hand 2 Ts4 head Of cattle Of their own raising,
that they have built many miles of fences
and repaired much more Of the old, and that
On the other hand. these Indians are suffering
severely from tuberculosis. contracted by them
while in captivity in Florida and there were
thirteen more deaths than births among them.
They declared TO be generally A moral, in
-dustrious, truthful, honest and docile people.