Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-04
COST OF PHILIPPINE WAR
Qusrtermsster of This Department Helping
to Figure it Out,
WASHINGTON CALLS FOR INFORMATION
Clerks wrestling with DimcuIt Prob
lem, ne Supplies Are Not Easily
Checked ~Up-GeneraI
Army Notes.

The clerks in the ONCE OF the quarter
master Of the Department Of the Missouri
are busy endeayorlng to ascertain the
amount Of money expended by the quarter
master Of this department on account OF
the war In the Philippines since that war
broke out. This work is being done In re-
sponse TO a telegram received from General
Ludtngton, quartermaster general Of the
army, who has asked for specific informa-
ton as to the expense Of rail transporta-
ton for troops, recruits and civilians pay
able from the army transportation appro-
priation, including the cost Of transporting
all impedimenta and baggage accompanying
the troops; to ascertain the cost Of trans
porting all army supplies not accompanying
troops which we're shipped from this de-
partment to the Philippines, and also the
cost Of all material and supplies purchased
in this department for the use of the troops
in the islands excepting the clothing and
equipment Of the soldiers.
The work is not only tedious, but an exact
result is dificult to obtain on account OF
the distribution Of supplies. About a year
ago 5000, 900 pounds Of oats and large guam
titles Of hay were purchased for the use OF
the army in the Philippines, but it was
later understood that a part OF this pur-
chase was sent to the troops in China, 50
1t will be difficult to ascertain what part
of the purchase should be included in the
figures submitted, as the provender left the
department intact consigned to Seattle,
where it was divided IL any division took
place. Other supplies may have been
handled in the same way, so that 1t will be
practically impossible to secure exact fig
ures from the records OF the Omaha office.
The information desired is on account Of
a resolution adopted by the Philippine in
vestigation committee Of the senate, which
Is endeavorlrg to ascertain the cost Of the
war in the Orient. 1t will require the work
of practically all of the clerks several days
to secure the data, as each transportation
account will have to be examined.
Notes from the Department.
Captain McClintock, aide on the staff of
General Bates, returned Friday evening
from the rifle range on the Winnebago
agency. He says that the site selected is
excellent, but that no target practice has
been secured on account of the high wind.
Some gallery shooting is done after the
wind abates in the evening. The troops
are now removing material from the rail-
road to the range and by next Saturday
will be ready for regular work.
An order will be issued instructing Major
Yeatman and the headquarters Of the first
battalion Of the Twenty-second infantry
now at Fort Robinson to take quarters at
Fort Reno upon the arrival Of the detach-
ment Of the Tenth cavalry at Fort Robin
son. Upon the arrival Of Major Yeatman
and his commanded Fort Reno the Eighth
cavalry stationed at Reno will move to
Fort Sill, where they will take quarters.
Two troops of the Eighth cavalry from
Cuba arrived at Jefferson barracks Friday.
Troops from Cuba enroute to Fort Rob-
insou left Newport News Wednesday and
1O4 horses intended for that post left st.
Louis Friday. having been shipped to the
United States by way of Mobile.