The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-05
OFFICIALS ARE PLEASED
ARSENAL PROPERTY TO BE SOLD
PROBABLY MARCH 10.
Description of the Post Site, Which
Is On the Big Four and Union
Traction Roads.
Stan Correspondence of the Journal.


WASHINGTON. Feb. 4.-For the use of a
military post at indianapolis the secretary
OF war this afternoon directed the pur-
chase OF "site No. A." near Lawrence. The
tract was offered by the real-estate firm of
Dyer & Rassmann. who will furnish the
acres. The purchase price is $50. 2s.20. In
rotary of war approves the report and ac-
cepts the recommendation of the Chicago
board of army officers that went to In
cianapolis to select the site. Regarding the
purchase the War Department gives the
following official statement:
''Site No. is accepted as being the most
desirable in all respects OF all the sites ex-
amined, including the Schofield Site 1t pos
sesses the advantages of building sites,
suitable grounds for the various military
exercises. fairly good target ranges, excel
lent transportation facilities by steam and
electric railways in both directions, east
and west. and is located within four miles
of the large shops and roundhouse at
Brightwood, Ind, on the Big Four Rail-
road. This railroad line runs through one
corner of the tract and provides quick and
ample means of transportation for troops
in any direction. Fall creek, on the border
of this tract. will afford swimming pool IA
cilities for the enlisted men and ample
power for an electric plant on the post
grounds The electric railroad has a subor-
dinate power station at Lawrence, distant
about one mile, from which electricity for
% at
sonable cost"
APPROPRIATION TO BE ASKED.
The secretary of war had long confer
ence with Representative Overstreet this
afternoon regarding the boards report
They talked of the site recommended and
Mr.. Overstreet was able to give the secre-
tary many points of information regarding
the city of Indianapolis and the location
generally. In the purchase of this site the
War Department will deal entirely with
Dyar & Rassmann. who will furnish the
government clear title. Secretary Root
finds that the tract of land will cost $685.
9zs2o more than the upset appraisement
o. the arsenal property, the lowest ap-
praisement being $4,000. This is the sum
the secretary expects to realize. In order
to raise the extra amount 1t was decided
priation for this purpose at its present ses-
sion The sundry civil bill. which was re-
ported to the House few days ago, will
come up for action within the next few
days. and Representative Overstreet will
be prepared to offer an amendment to the
bill. This amendment asks for s15o.OOO to
be used by the secretary of war in pur-
chasing the tract of land at Lawrence. Ii
a. fn1f hot fhara
procuring this amount. Enough of il will
be used TO swell the arsenal property fund
sufficiently to purchase the Lawrence site,
and the remainder can be expended by the
War Department next summer in building
sewers and roadways In the new post
grounds For year this would be about
all chat could be accomplished in the way
of establishing the post The next Con-
gress probably will be asked for an an
preparation sufficient to allow the secretary
OF war to carry out his plan regarding the
indianapolis post.
II was practically agreed this afternoon
that the arsenal property would be sold
about March 10. The secretary of war will
at once issue an order to the quartermaster
general to proceed with the sale of the
property. Thirty days notice will be given
W piuucio anu the property VIII De sold
at public outcry. The quartermaster's de-
partment will send man TO Indianapolis
to conduct the sale. The War Department
expects the promoters of the technical in
stitute 10 purchase the property; in fact IL
wants the property to go to the institute
The secretary or war hopes there will be
other bidders. He is somewhat familiar
with the property. ard to-day expressed
sthe belief that the technical institute peo-
pie in purchasing the property at the an
praised price will pay its full value The
secretary will be well satisfied to dispose
of IL at s154.o00
WILL BE A PRETTY PLACE.
The War Department is well pleased with
the site recommended for the military post
1t Is believed IL will make one of the finest
poxts I'm the country. The secretary indi-
Gates there will be a first-class brigade
post which viii. OF course. be large enough
TO accommodate three regiments. Ii is the
purpose OF the department To make a park
OF the grounds and 10 make IL so attractive
that tne people OF Indianapolis will be
proud OF IL. As an Illustration of what
can be done. General corbin spoke OF the
Soldiers Home here In Washington, which
comprises something like 5O0 acres. The
place. and with more than twice as much
gror.id at Indianapolis already picturesque
" situated It Is pointed out that wonders