The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-24
Col. Ponds Elaborate Plans
for improvements Now Up
to Secretary Root
APPROVED BY OFFICERS
CONGRESSMAN stevens Hopes to Be
Able to Arrange for Imme-
diate Beginning of
the Work.

Word was received here yesterday from
Washington to the effect that plans
drawn up by Col. Pond, chief quarter
master Of the department Of Dakota for
improvements at Smelling, were now
awaiting the approval of Secretary Root,
having passed all the other Off
Gals and having been approved by them.
The plans are for additional buildings
at the fort and also for improving the
present system of water works The war
department has given Col Pond author
ity to proceed with the sinking of a new
well at Smelling and he will shortly ad-
Vertise for bids.
Maj. Rubin, who is in charge of the
construction work in the department.;
Quartermaster General -Lindington, Adjt
Gen. COrbin and Assistant Secretary
Sanger have all approved the plans,
and they are now on Secretary Roots
desk awaiting his return from Cuba.
Col. Pond, when seen last night, stated
that he had received no official notice Of
the action of the different orders. He is
very much interested in the work at
Smelling and his plans are said by those
officers who have seen them to be the
best OF any submitted for the improve
ments.
May Begin Work at Once.
The plans contemplate the expenditure
600 and 900 will be expended during
the remainder of the current and in the
next fiscal year. Representative Stevens
believes he can induce the secretary to
allot some of the funds now available to
preliminary work, so that it can be be-
gun at once. The military appropriation
bill Just passed by the house provides
for money for the next fiscal year, which
begins July /. The secretary cannot make
hcfores w Al
1iculty can be obviated by using this
years appropriations and at the same
time much time viii be gained. Col. PONDS
plans provide that the present barracks
be remOdeled to accommodate six COM
panies Of infantry and that quarters for
six additional companies be constructed,
making provision for housing an entire
regiment.
Twelve sets of officers quarters will be
erected in addition to one house for bach
elor officers containing about twenty
rooms, and quarters for twenty married
commissioned officers are also provided
for with a drill hall and storehouses for
grain, coal and commissary and quarter
masters supplies.
For artillery there will be one set of
barracks for from 300 to 400 men, officers
quarters, sun sheds and stables. Water
facilities viii be improved by drilling ar
tesian wells and conserving the supply
from springs and a spur track from Min
nehaha will be built to the storehouses.
The first work to be done will be the con-
SuUction of artillery barracks and of
ticers quarters.
Gen. COrbin told Mr.. Stevens today that
the two batteries to be stationed at Smell
ing will be sent there this spring. They
will live in tents until permanent quar-
ters are provided. 1t is believed that
these buildings Will be completed by No
vember. The plans outlined here are ex-
elusive Of the addition to the reserva-
ticn. Col. Hayes report on the bill for
the purchase Of additional land has not
reached the department, but when it
comes it will be approved and sent to the
house committee on military affairs.