The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-11-27
Minor Features.


Concclnr. the abolition Of tho army ,anicen
the rcpor, says; "When the orders were issued
or the enforcement oi this section Of the law.
the commanding officers OF the various posts and
military organizations were directed 10 report
upon its effects. A great body Of reports has
been received, which indicate that the ctcct OF
the law is unfortunate. ] think, however, that
a sufficient time has not elapsed to give the law
a fair trial, and the observation and report Of
its working will be continued during the ensuing
year.
Congress i, asked to authorize the president
to place Major Generals Merritt. Brooks and
Otis upon the retired list rs acknowledgements,
on account oi distinguished service in indepcnd
cnt commands oi great responsibility for which
the law at present provides no method OF rccoS
milton.
Regarding Pacific cable Secretary Root says:
The requirements for the use o! such u cable
by our own government in Hawaii ana the fhll
ippinc islands are 50 great that either IL should
be constructed and owned by the government or
ii constructed by private corporation the
landing rights should be granted upon such con-
ditions that the owners shall always remain IN
fact an American corporation, and shall he
subject to such control and regulation by con
grcss as will insure government control when
necessary, and commercial freedom IN the use Of
the cable at all times"
Maintenance Of a government transport service
Is dsapp,ovcd and transports now on hand are
recommended to bc sold, after being admitted
to American Wgstcr
The death rate per thousand oi troops in the
United States during the past year VAS tO.li;
in Cuba, ".7a; in Porto Rico, 40, ana among
the troops serving in the Philippines and Sibd
IL was reduced from 1881 during the previous
year to 1910 during the past year, In the oph'
ion al the medical department, when permanent
arrangements have been made ami proper sdni
tary regulations can be enforced, the health Of
the troops stationed in the tropics will he quite
rs good rs ii stationed in our own c'llf states,
A detailed project for ''Ir defense Of san
Juan, Porto Rico. at a total estimated cost OF
Sl,soo,0oo, has been prepared, and ri"l'miharr
projects Tor the defense OF Pearl lIalhor and
Honolulu, in the territory Of Hawaii, are also
available. substantial progress has heen made
in the revision Of earlier projects OF iorthcdtion
made before the Of rapid'firc guns played 20
great 4 part in coast defense. There have hoen
added 80 the completed seacoasL armament dur
inc the year niccn l2.incl guns, seven iOmch
guns, eleven S-inch guns, thrty'h'c rapld'liIe
guns. and twcnty'thee mortars,
The ordnance department reports an abundant
supply OF snokeltss powder on hand of the test
quality unw ext4nt, and material improvement
in rs manufacture.
A plant for the manufacture ol small AIMS has
been installed al the Rock Island arsenal, and
the plant at Springfield armory has been enlarged
With these increased facilities ior manufacture,
and The surplus stock now on hand the depart
ment is ready, il congress shall authorize 1t.
to supply the national guards OF the states with
hc present service rife with which the lrgula'
army, navy and marine corps are NOW alme
alike.
Great advance has been made towali perfect
inc the system Oi communication in the Phllp'
pines. extending through more than 1000 miles
from north to south, the lines amounting on
the Isl Of July, lml, 10 ASH niles. an M