The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-21
WANTED FOR west POINT
Improvements to Be Made If Con-
gress Will Grant the Money.
The Plans Include the Extension of
the Cadet and Cavalry barracks.
New Riding Hall, the Removal OF
Fort Clinton. and Electric Light
ing Plant and u Sewer system.

The Committees on Military affairs OF
are favorably disposed toward the esti-
mates and plans for extensive improve
ments at the United States Military Acad-
envy, which have been submitted to Con-
gress by the Secretary of War. One of
the items is 1891 O25.12 for the extension
of the cadet barracks, including the cadet
| administration building.
The cadet barracks, which replaced the
old brick barracks of 1915 and 1917, was
erected in 1851, TO meet the growth of the
corps of cadets. An addition was made
to it in 1882. 1t is a four stored granite
building of imposing appearance, costing
about S1S6, 600. AS IL now stands the bar
racks has $50 rooms, each designed for
two cadets In addition it has quarters
for four bachelor officers. As the corps
of cadets now numbers 429, it necessitates
the placing of three cadets in each OF
50 rooms. Even were quarters construct
ed elsewhere for the above officers, the
barracks would have but 1872 available
rooms, or accommodation for 3S4 cadets.
The number of cadets present being 1923,
The number of cadets at present is 429.
the maximum number authorized by law
being ISL.
The sum of $99,2sO is asked for a new
riding hall. The present riding hall.
erected in 1865, is a granite structure with
wooden-ru roof 21S by IS feet
For instructions in riding the classes
are necessarily divided into sections. Ths
third class is divided into four. and the
first and second classes each into two sec
tons. TO enable the instruction given in
the hall to be thorough and to progress
with effective rapidity 1t is found that THE
size OF a section should not exceed TWEEN
ty-four cadets; thirty-two, however, can
be accommodated by making the exer-
cises slower, and with a cores ponding
loss in the extent of instruction. With
the increased strength OF the corps of
cadets, as recently authorized, it is to be
expected that after the present year the
maximum strength of section of the first
and second classes will vary between fifty
and sixty cadets.
A new mess hall is asked for at an esti-
mated cost of S6s, $50. The mess hall,
granite building erected in 1850 will seat
$40 cadets, but has a cooking capacity for
300 only. Its plan, however, admits of
indefinite extension There are accommo-
dations for a force of cooks aud attend
ants for $40 cadets. Seating accommoda-
tons for SO and cooking arrangements
for 1913 cadets are lacking under existing
conditions.
A few of the other improvements for
which Congress will be asked TO provide
are enlarging the Academy chapel by con-
structing an extension SO 1-2 feet in length
with transepts on the side % feet in
length; extension of the gymnasium
building; rebuilding the cadet laundry;
removal of Fort Clinton to enlarge the
cadet camp; sixteen sets Of quarters for
married officers; quarters for unmarried
officers; new cavalry barracks; new cav
airy stables; enlarging and modifying en-
gineer barracks; new barracks for detach-
ment of artillery, e'~t'-- S.r -..sI..