The Washington times., 1901-10-13

The annual report of Mai. Gen. Johr
r. Brooke, commanding the Department
of the East with headquarters at Gov
ernor's Island, New York, was made pub
tic by the Adjutant General yesterday. The
Department of the East comprises the
New England States and States of New
York New Jersey. Pennsylvania, Della
ware. Maryland, Virginia. West Virginia
the District of Columbia, North Carolina
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ala
bama. Mississippi and Louisiana, and the
District of Porto Rico which includes the
Island of Porto Rico and the adjacent
islands and keys.
In commencing his report, General
Brooke says:
Il have visited and inspected all of the
posts in this department, with few eX-
reptions. and am gratified at the progress
made at all of the artillery posts where
the modern armament has been installed,
and particularly so when the small num-
ber of men available for drills and care
and preservation of the armament at all
of these posts is taken into consideration.
The numerical strength Of the garrisons
had not been increased beyond that given
in my last reports, wherein it was ur-
gently recommended that the strength of
all sea coast garrisons be such as to allow
one relief for each gun mounted, giving
the minimum required in each case. 1t is
hoped, however, with the gradual increase
of the artillery. which is now in progress
that a sufficient number of troops will be
available to supply the majority of the
sea coast fortifcations with the number
of men required to fulfill these conditions.
."The barracks and quarters authorized
rf1aS. CT
ly under construction. but it is feared,
in many instances, that they will not be
completed in time for occupancy, as the
recruitment of these companies is pro-
crossing quite rapidly, and it is believed
that the entire number authorized by
Congress will have been enlisted by De
cember 81, next
General Brooke suggests that IT would
be well to modify the refusal to the gen
eral community of visiting the new de-
fences, although he is careful to say that
he does not mean that permission should
be given to explore the whole of the bat
teries, so far as they relate to the case
mates in which it is expected to store
the ammunition and electric light plants
THE Navy Department permits, at suit
able times, he says, "our people TO visit
its newest ships, and this procedure has
no doubt increased the great interest
manifested in the navy. I can see no
good reason why these defences may not
be thrown open. to the extent mentioned,
to the public, of course during such hours
as may be best suited for the purpose. l
am strongly impressed with the idea that
no harm can result from this departure
from the present system"
The following reports of Inspections of
posts near Washington are made:
AT Fort Monroe, Va, the barrack
building has been raised one story since
my last inspection, and can now COM
fortably house COO men. No effort has
been made to erect barracks in the vi
cinity Of the mortar battery, as recon-
mended by me last year 1 renew that
recommendation, and also the reccmmen-
dation that covered way be cons Icted
connecting the various batteries elong the
shore, and that a broad walk, preferably
Of artificial stone, be laid along inside The
covered way. The present guardhouse oc-
cupies several classmates in the old fort
"a new guardhouse should be constructed
at different point. There are several
old buildings within the walls of the old
fort which might be removed to great
advantage. Carroll Hall and the old hos
pital and some other old buildings whose
usefulness has passed constitute these
l again strongly recommend that the
street railway built on the street leading
to Mill Greek be removed, and that here
after any street cars coming into the res
ervation of Fort Monroe be required to
use the old tracks from the north END of
the Mil Creek trestlA. and that double
tracks be not allowed south of the Cath
Ole chapel This does not CONTEMPLATE
the removal Of the switch now on the
wharf from the best information OBJ
4 a fs1r h.
the tracks recommended to be retained
Within the last year an electric rail-
way has been built at Fort Myer Va
between buildings and the drill ground.
cannot see that this road is a necessity
to the post There is another electric line
IL the hollow to the north of the post.
and running apparently in the same direc-
ton II is recommended that This exten-
sion of the electric road beyond the old
terminal near the gate of Arlington Gem
etcry be taken up. There is considerable
work necessary to improve the drainage
about the barracks. The outside stair
ways leading to the Easements OF these
barracks are not properly covered. and
the water collects and will injure the
foundations of the buildings
THE post, Washington Barracks. D. c.
should be reconstructed on modern and
improved plans The barracks were for
merly storehouses. and to meet an erner-
gency and In the cause of unwise econ
omy. they were converted into barracks
They should be torn down and replaced
by modern structures, suitable to the
changed condition of the army and to the
situation of the post at the Capital of
the Nation. There is land enough to com
struct post which would comfortably
Shelter much larger garrison than is
now possible under present conditions
The buildings in process of erection at
Fort Hunt, Va, last year have been com
pleted: The barracks building is not large
enough to accommodate the number of
men that IL will be necessary to have in
the company OF coast artillery stationed
here. The kitchen and messroorn are
now occupied by men of the comnanv
ano the old temporary messToom and
kitchen are still in use. Owing to the ma
ture Of the soil In this part Of Virginia.
II is necessary 10 hive the roads about the
military posts macadamized; otherwise
the movement of vehicles in bad weather
must of necessity be practically abandon
ed This post needs q permanent bake
oven; that now In use is a galvanized iron
affair intended for field purposes. The
non-commiSsioned officers quarters would
be very much improved If back porches
were constructed. Certain little ietails
about the buildings have not received the
attention necessary. The hinges furnish
ed are of poor quality. and the blinds
break away and are shattered in falling
These details have been called to the at
tention of the Qusrtermaster General YER
baIly. All the guns are not yet mounted,
the rapid-fire guns having not yet been
received. sly recommendation about the
requirement of land. made last year was
follows: 1T is understood that the
original plan was TO include in this reser-
walton the three farms that occupied the
best ground for the purpose in this vi
cinity. Only one Of these farms has been
purchased, and at least one other ad1oin-
ing 4hc present location should be bought
as soon as possible / now renew that
recommendation.
AT Fort Washington. Md, the bar
racks and officers quarters recommended
last year are now in process of construc-
tion. The hospital has Just been com
menced. In the barrack building now oc-