The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-17
MILLIONS IN Cash
What Will Be Done to Make
Fort Leavenworth a Model.
The Historic Post Is to Receive
Much Attention.
A MILITARY CENTER.
VIII Be Used For an Officers
School.
Soon Be Accommodations For
$500 Enlisted Men.
MILITARY CENTER.

Washington, D. c., Aug. 17-Slowly
but surely the magnificent scope of the
plans formulated by the war depart
ment for the development of Fort
Leavenworth. Kan. are being made
manifest This reservation of a thous
and acres of land with the military IS
tablishment now upon it. represents an
investmen of nearly S.. .000. 600 Under
authority from congress $500, 600 is be-
ing expended this year for new build
ings and for the Improvement of the
parade grounds. Congress viii be ask
ed at the next session for 81, 600. 600 more
and it is probable that the annual ap-
preparation for this great American
school for the soldier viii be at least
that amount for many years to come.
When Colonel Leavenworth was sent
up the Missouri river in 1926 to select
a site for an outpost of civilization he
was instructed to lay the foundations
for the fort on the right bank of the
Missouri He failed. however, TO find a
suitable place. and. using his disere-
ton. established his military camp west
of the river at a point which from that
day has been known as Fort Leaven-
worth For many years this fort was
an important strategic point in the op-
eratons against the Indians of the
plains. 1t afforded shelter for thous-
ands of emigrants on their way west.
and, in fact, was base of operations
for the great army of pioneers who at
tackled and finally conquered the wild
erness.
For many years Fort Leavenworth
has been the post graduate school OF
the officers of the regular army. and no
man with any length of service to his
credit but has served his time at Leay-
enworth and become enamored of the
station as one of the most acceptable
to be drawn in the lottery of army de-
tail The cavalry and infantry schools
have been conducted with the single
purpose of perfecting the graduates of
West Point in the practical school of
the soldier Theory guides the routine
Of duty at Leavenworth, but ii is the
Ory put into action To the training
which the American army officers have
received at Fort LeavenwOrth is due
the prestige of the American army in
recent military operations.
OF course. an immense amount of
money is expended at Fort Leaven-
worth. which is not charged up to the
account Of that school, but which is
carried on the general expenditure ac-
count of the army It cost over 81, ,000.-
600 to assemble. arm and equip the
three regiments which have been turn
ed into the new army Of Fort Leaven-
worth during the past two years. and II
viii always be the case that whereas
the annual appropriation for the sup
port of Leavenworth itself may come
within a moderate amount. a very large
proportion of the reorganization ex-
pense of the army Will be paid out
through Fort I4eavenW WOrth channels.
There are some great plans being
made in the war department for the re-
orga anization Of the militia force of the
United States OF course. the carrying
out OF these plans depends entirely upon
the Will of congress. and politics plays
such an important part in militia af-
fairs that the war department officials