The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-18
The Probable Disposition of the Ar
senaI Grounds i'm This City
Discussed.
NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN
MIR. ROOT MERELY FOLLOWED MIR.
FAIRBANKs's RECOMMENDATIONS.
Senate Military Committee Has Not
Yet Decided What to Do with
Arsenal Grounds.

Major Charles Shaler has been selected
by Secretary Root, of the War Depart
ment, for a place on the board of ord
nance and Qualifications, one of the most
important boards in the department. The
order issued by the secretary states that
General William Crozier is relieved from
further duty with the board of ordnance.
together with Capt. 1. n. Lewis. and in
Kyler are appointed.
Major Shaler confirmed the Washington
dispatch which gave the news of the
change, and had the following TO say:
General Crozier. who has been nominated
as chief of ordnance, is one of the most
capable officers in the army, but his CON
nection with the board OF ordnance and
Notifications met the constant objections
of inventors. General Crozier has him
self invented some very notable improve
ments i'm the ordnance arm of the service,
and although he has turned over to the
United States without cost his patents, in
ventors who have things to bring before
the board feel hat General CrOzier is not
the best man that could have a place on
the board. The board was organized un-
der an act of Congress to determine mat
tiers connected witt military inventions.
General Crozier is noted for the invention
of a disappearing gun carriage and a wire
wound gun. There is no special reason
Why the chief of the Ordnance Department
should have a place on the board of ord
nance and fortified lions, and | suppose the
secretary of war takes that view
Major Shaler welcomes the news from
Washington that an army post may be
established just outside of Indianapolis on
ground 10 be purchased by the govern
ment. II have reason TO believe that the
news is authentic he said, land | am
very glad the department is going to give
Indianapolis a post of size and importance.
1 have always opposed the establishment
of a post on the arsenal grounds for the
reason that the site is too small, and on
account of the value of surrounding ground
could never be enlarged except at tremen-
dOus cost to the government. With
grounds outside the city there is a chance
for indianapolis to secure a regimental
post rather than a battalion. L don't know
that the War Department is
ing any such step. but it is not impossible
WORK IN WASHINGTON.
Major Shaler says he will leave for Wash
ington June so to report for duty on the
board. 1.-THE work is all detail work. he
said. and I shall probably be sent from
place to place on duty connected with mat
tiers before the board"
WIN AldJOA > itAnF AltAL 4lOlil
command OF the arsenal the place will pass
out of existence as a United States mill
tary station. Discussion has arisen gen.
orally as to what is the best use 10 which
the site should be put. Many think IL
would furnish an ideal location for the
University of indianapolis. Others declare
that the city should buy the land from the
government and turn the place into a park.
Whatever is done with IL. public opinion
is strongly opposed to having the ground
cut up into building lots. On that point
Secretary Hunt. of the Commercial Club.
said: Indianapolis should see that this
magnificent piece OF ground is not broken
up by sale TO people who would plat il.
The question is how the land could be
had for the city or university. 1t would
be an ideal place for the University of
Indianapolis or for a park"
Mr.. Hunt thinks that on account of the
present high valuation OF and it would
be an impossibility for the city to buy ii
in view OF straitened finances, and also
improbable that the University of Indian
apolis would purchase the ground at the
high price that would likely be asked by
the government. Mr.. Hunt suggests that
an effort be made 10 buy the land on a
basis of its original cost TO the govern
ment, which. Mr.. Hum thinks. was some
thing like S60.0O0. 1t is probable though,
he said. that the government has set its
price at something like s250,OoO or 100000.