The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-07
Can Make 100000 IndianapOlitans
Happy by Favoring $I5O,OOO
for the Army Post.
SECRETARY ROOTS LETTER
RECOMMENDING THE SUM NAMED BE
VOTED BY THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Overstreet Moving I'm the Matter
sale az Arsenal Not Conditional -.-
ON the Appropriation.
;tatr correspondenee Of the journal. |.

Staff Correspondence of the Journal.
WASHINGTON, Feb 6.-There will be
nothing further done by the War Depart
ment toward disposing of the Indianapolis
arsenal property and purchasing ground for
the military post until the return of Sec
retary Root from New York. Secretary
Root has addressed letter to Chairman
Cannon, of the committee on appropria-
tions, in which he says:
Under the act of June 30. 1902, the sec
retary of was is authorized to make such
purchase of land for the use of the military
posts at or in the vicinity of certain towns,
including Indianapolis, as may be required
for military purposes and for building bar
racks and quarters the same to be met
from the proceeds of the sale of the existing
military reservation at Indianapolis. The
majority of the board of appraisers APP
pointed by the secretary of war has placed
the valuation of the arsenal property at In
dianapolis at $l54,ooo and anotner BOARD mas
selected a suitable site which. after due
consideration, is satisfactory to the secre-
tary of war, containing an area of 1,SS3.2 20
acres which can be purchased for $lSO, 923. 20.
This leaves a deficit of SIG. 923. 20 in addition
TO the possible proceeds of the sale of the
arsenal tract and there is needed for the
preparation of the plans for the necessary
buildings for regiment OF infantry, for
proper drainage, sewerage and water sup
ply. grading and Improvement of grounds
and laying out OF roads and walks, the
further sum Oh SlZo,VOV.
"J therefore have the honor to request
the appropriate ton of the sum of $50. 900. of
which amount only $26,93S2O shall be used
as additional purchase money and the re-
mainder for preparation of grounds, for
buildings etc. and to solicit early action in
order that no time may be lost in dispos-
ing of the arsenal tract and the acquisition
of the new site
the officers of the War Department again
arsenal property now, whether the $150O00
appropriation is secured or not. If the
appropriation fails the department will only
| purchase $1540O0 worth Of ground for its
| military post. However, it is believed the
amendment Mr.. Overstreet will introduce
will be successful at least for a sufficient
sum to make up the purchase price of the
| site selected. The War Department has a
| reserve fund on which 1t can draw for the
| purpose of improving the tract and get
| ting the ground in shape for the buildings.
| 1t is the purpose of the department to de-
| vote next summer to beautifying the
grounds building roadways. etc. When the
| secretary of war returns the first of the
coming week, probably on Monday, he will
| approve the order of sale and the post will
| then be turned over to the quartermaster
| with the understanding that the sale of
the arsenal will take place early I'm March.
BY the 4th Of March the secretary will
know Just how much money Congress will
/ allow him and he then determine
whether he can purchase the whole tract
Mr.. Overstreet. in his interview with army
officers this morning. impressed them with
the fact that the owners of the land recon-
| mended want to know as possible
lust what the department will do, because
spring is coming and it will soon be
time to plant the spring crops. The depart
ment understands this feature, and will
hasten matters as hurriedly as possible
xxx
Frank b. Posey, OF Evansville. who spent
a few days in Washington this week
amused party of friends at the Capitol BY
| relating the history of "Posey county.
| which bears his name. 'Posey county
Hooppole township" Is an expression thai
has gone over every part of this country
and doubtless into foreign lands. Mr.. Po
sey says 1t started years ago. when raisins
hooppoles was the chief occupation of tn.
people OF that county. 1t seems that Pose,
county was noted for its fine hooppoles
The settlers would get a cargo of them to
gether and ship them down the river I,
New Orleans, where they would be carried
over to France to be used In making win,
casks. During those days the following