The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-10-28
Military STATIONS Neglected.


( additional appropriations ana aIlotmouts
Z 10 preserve the POSTS in proper order.
Military stations Neglected.
/ The important mintay stations In his
country have been very much neglected.
ana the public Buildings and works per
tanning thereto Grc. - satIv in need o. re
: pair. and unItS kept in proper order seli-
. Gus loss viii result ~ The Government
: therefore recommend that liberal aUgrp-
UTiaUGnS De made by Congress for This
purpose. and that the money Ice allotted
L" The various departments i'm proportion
10 IN" needs of the troops stationed
therein
Very marked progress has been made
lH the last three wears in CuUiUuiuy the
coast d,I,urcs with modern high-u1v., T
guns ana very cNpCE-ire concrete forti-
I'au"HS have been built tIo-y than $50
modern guns have bCsa mounted FOR rht.
protection OF our principal harb0rs. so
that safety has been secured 10 great
extent SO far as the fixed armament Is
concerned, yet the expenditure that has
been made of 100000 would be entirely
useless unless suitable and ample ammu-
IlJlou is provided with which to destroy
hostile fleets. } therefore earnestly rec
umuend that Congress be asked To make
uTTrcpria tons 20 provide iI addition TO
the high power guns. "a suitable proper
ton OF small c1iibre rapid-hre gems TO
constitute auxiliary batteries and an am
pl, amount OF amucu-i,iou FOR tho guns
OF all callbres in order 20 render them
effective
The Board of Ordnance and Fortffca-
uon has during the past year made some
important tests OF war material and has
developed the utility of new appliances.
heartily concU- in its recommendation as
70 the importance of providing ammuui-
uon Tor the heavy batteries now eStab-
lshed for the defence OF our coasts
While Congress has made ample pro-
vision for the management Of military
affairs IN the organization of the army,
whereby the companies. regiments. brig
AIDES. divisions, and departments are made
the units OF administration, and by stat
ute has clothed the officials not only with
executive authority but with judicial pow
trS and responsibility. vet the tendency
has been 10 absorb and usurp the entire
conduct Of the military establishment In
the city Of Washington and especially iu
the STAFF departments. This has been
found most injurious I'm other armies. and
is one of the principal defeCt - in our own
system. The evil has been increasing
during the activities OF the wars Of the
last three years to an extent that. IN my
Judgment. requires serious consideration,
and I recommend that decentraliza ton be
effected as far as possible, and that all
proper and lawful authority be restored
To subordinate commanders who are pro-
Nided with an efficient organization and
who can be safely entrusted with rcspOu-
sibility for the efficient and faithful ad-
mlnistration Of military affairs commeu-
sUrate with their important commands.
The Granting OF Commissions.
81 again renew the recommendati0ns
have made concerning the granting Of
commissions and discharge to meritori-
GUS nOu-CommissiOued officers after five
years service who are not eligible for
permanent appointment in the army by
reason of age or other causes, and who
shall successfully pass "a required exam
inuIlOn. as an encouragement and just
recognition Of their merits and services
Fl again call attention To- the uuhealJh-
M I d T.
on the west side OF the city of Washing
ton. adjacent to the Potomac River,
known as the Potomac Flats. and renew
the recommends ton made IN my last an
uual report. which In as follows.
90 There is needed in the vicinity Of the
National Capital suitable grounds for the
enCumpment Of regular troops whenever
assembled. and for State troops when oc-
casIOualy required, and 1 call attention
10 the necessity for Congress to make the
requisite appropriation for putting the
ground near the Capital known as POtO-
mac Flats, in suitable condition for such
purpose, and for such other purposes as
may be required Its condition now Is most
unsatisfactory and Is menace 10 the
health Of the people living at the Ma
tional Capital
For many years there has been main
tanned military garrison at Washington,
composed OF light artillery ana infantry
OF heavy ARTILLERY. The ACCESSIBILITY Of
such measure cannot be questioned.
such force should be within or near the
National Capital and not separated from
ID by q river. the crossing OF which IS
liable % De rendered impossible. By a re-
cent order a detachment Of the Corps Of
Engineers has been directed 10 be sta
toned at Washington Barracks and ali
other troops removed. II this is To pre-
vail then 1 recommend that a Suita bile
site b. secured within few miles Of the
city OF Washington. and on the left bank
OF the Potomac. either within the Dis
tTIct boundaries or In the state OF Mary
land. whore proper garrison Of lufau-
try and artillery can be maintained
Il invite attention to the reference In
my last annual report TO the heroic con-
duct Of the Ninth United States lufan-
try al the battle Of TieutsIn, whore the
regiment. under IFS able commanders. sus-
Laiucu severe loss. / recommend that am
. pie recognition be given the officers and
men engaged In that battle for their gal
liant services. especially Major Jesse NJ.
Lee now lieutenant colonel Sixth lnfan-
tryb. upon whom the command deyOiVed
after the death Of Colonel LisCum- Col
Ouel Lees distinguished gallantry and
ability on that occasion have been rCcOg-
I nized by foreign officers present AT that
campaign. and he fully sustained the
reputation ne had maintained during the
civil war and since.
Daring the past year attention has
been given to the re-cSta bliShmeut and
lmproyemt nj Of the service schools at
I Fort Monroe and Fort Riley and II Is
expected that the one at Fort Lcaycn-
worth VIII soon be re-cStabUshed
As large portion Of the army has
been stationed in thu western portion of
the United States, aud over ouc-hIlf Of
IL is now occupied west Of Tho Pacific
ocean. ] recommend that q military
school Doe established on the Pacific Coast.
preferably in southern California. eiu:i-
/ lar In character TO those above mentioned
and suitable fer the instruction IF on
GERS In the duties pertaining To- the staff
corps and departments. and the engineer.
cavalry. artillery and infantry arms Of
the service
Condition OF the Army.
Upon The general condition Of the army
/ General Miles says.
The act of Congress approved Feb
ruary 2, 1901. authorized an increase in
the enlisted strength OF tho line OF the
army 90 10000" men. but owing TO the cee-
satIou. 10 great extent. OF hOstiitise in
tho Philippines 10 was found that that
number would NOT be required. and by an
order Of IN. President dated May s. 1871.
the enlisted strength Of the line was fixed
at ,4-5o4 mon. with the addition of 2.-N
men in the staff departments. etc. This
aggregate does not include the HOSPITAL
Corps. which now comprises l,5pJ ucp--Er
the Porto Rico Provisional Regiment
whose present strength is $40. -