Evening star., 1901-10-12

the three farms that occupied the best
ground for the purpose In this vicinity.
Only one of these farms has been pur-
chased, and at least one other adjoining
the present location should be bought as
soon as possible I now renew that recon-
mendation.
Quarters Under Construction.
Fort Washington, Md.-The barracks and
officers quarters recommended last year
are now in process of construction. The
hospital has just been commenced. In the
barrack building now occupied 1t Is appar-
ent that care has not been taken with the
foundations; there has been considerable
settling, which is apparent in the floors
1t is suggested that this matter receive at
tention before it is too late. The sites OF
the batteries here are very high, yet dis
appearing gun carriages have been used
All the batteries proposed nave not yet
been completed
Manning the Mine Defenses.
An important feature of the report is an
appendix by Lieut. Col. ]. P. Story of the
artillery corps dealing with ordnance and
artillery. He says the most important
problem now pressing upon the artillery is
how to provide a sufficient number of off,
GERS and men qualified to operate the min
ing defenses of our harbors. '1t is ad-
mitted," he says, that the present eStab-
l1Shed strength the coast aFtll6Ty Will
not furnish one relief for the modern arma-
ment already provided, and that in the
event of war the deficiency. must be sup
piled by raw recruits by volunteer ar
tillery. If war were to occur with a su-
perior naval power, an immediate dash
would no doubt be made upon one or more
of our most important posts To oppose
such an attack we should have an instruct
ed force of sufficient strength to execute,
In less than one week after the declaration
of war, the approved project for the plant
ing of mines in all our harbors.
ITO operate these mines in the harbors
of the United States and it's distant pos
sessions will require about 20 officers and
2700 soldiers. At the time of the immedi-
ate planting an addition of 5000 men as
laborers and boat crews will be temporarily
needed. All officers employed on this work
ought to be expert in electricity.
Electrical Knowledge Needed
With respect to the officers now being
appointed to the artillery from the army
their examination for appointment does not
include even an elementary knowledge of
electricity, and it is probable that few if
any of them, will ever be qualified for this
work Again, the required number of Off
GERS is SO large that they could not all
be spared for this duty without seriously
Gripping the artillery in the service of the
armament.
Il nour late war with Spain the deficiency
in officers of engineers for mining work
was supplied by civilian experts in electric
ity. Civilians cannot be held to service, or
to punishment for malfeaSance, and some
scheme should be devised by which all our
mining defenses may be efficiently operated
in time of hostilites by military organiza-
tons If a sufficient permanent establish
ment cannot be supplied for this purpose
then volunteer reserve must be organized
and officered by electrical engineers-grad-
yates of technical schools. This appears to
be the only feasible plan of securing enough
oF6 this Special Seryica
qualified for the. work. The advisability OF
creating volSnteerf organizations for min
ing service shpuldlreceive early considera-
tion.
An Artillery school of Mines
THE first step that should be taken with
the least practicable delay is the establish
ment of an Gartillery school of mines for
theoretical and practical instruction To
this school, in my Judgment. ought to be
attached the school for electrician SER
eeauts. now at Fort Monroe Va
Mining material is now, in general, cared
for by civilians paid from the appropria
tions of the engineer department. 1t would
be much more economical and probably
more efficient If these civilians were re-
placed by electrician sergeants, and it is
| recommended that one additional electric
ian sergeant be authorized by law for each
harbor of the United States equipped with
mining material.
wireless Telegraphy.
In an appended report of the acting sig
nal officer of the department Captain L.
S. Lyon, 1t is recommended that expert
| ments in wireless telegraphy be conducted
| with view to it's use in such harbors as
Boston and New York.
The Canteen In Porto Rico.
In an appended report Lieutenant Col
onel James A. Buchanan. commanding the
district of Porto Rico. regards the prohi-
bition of the sale of beer at the post ex-
| changes as not for the best interests Of
good discipline in Porto Rico. 1.-THE low
| price. of native drinks'' he says, their in
| furious effects. and the degrading Influences
| which surround here. taefr sale, all tend
| to the undoin- r1tisr than the uplifting OF
| the enlisted man; the number Of places