The Savannah morning news., 1903-02-07
CHAFFEE is COMING
MAJOR GENERAL ADNA r.. CHAT.
FEE AND STAFF
WILL ARRIVE WEDNESDAY
DISTINGUISHED GUEST TO BE AC-
CORDED PUBLIC RECEPTION.

Meeting VIII lie Held To-day md
some Arrangements Made for His
Entertainment - Chairman Dixon
Says City VIII Do Its Pnrt-Gen.
Chanee Hns Requested Use of
Capt. GiIIett's Boat, The Angler.
Officers at the Post Hope That
S15O,0OO Appropriation VIII Re
suit From His Visit.
Mai Gen. Adna r. Chatter will ar
rive in Savannah next Wednesday.
Capt Cassius +. Gillette received a
communication from him yesterday
morning requesting the use of the
Angler for a trip to Fort Screven and
Fort Fremont, S. c. 1t the COM
munication he stated that he would
arrive on Feb. II. for the purpose of
inspecting Fort Screven.
1t is probable that the city will en-
terrain Gen. Chaffee during his stay
in Savannah. A meeting will be held
to-day and the matter will be decid-
ed. Chairman of Council Dixon said
last night that he had no doubt that
the city would accord the army officer
a fitting reception. He expressed him
self as in favor of a public reception,
and said that the city could be count
ed on to do it's share.
The inspection of Fort Screven will,
the officers think, result in an appro-
80 "a
tional quarters. For several years the
soldiers stationed at the fort have not
had enough ROOM and the temporary
quarters have by the operation of time
become fixtures. Between sl50,000 and
$500, 600 will be necessary for this
work. The need of additional quarters
is apparent, and 1t is thought that
Gen. Chaffee will so recommend in his
report to the Secretary of War.
Will Arrive Wednesday Morning.
Gen. Chaffee. with his staff, are ex-
pected in Savannah on Wednesday
morning. He will go down to Fort
Screven on Capt. Gillette's boat, where,
on his appearance before the fort, he
will be greeted with a salute of thirteen
guns. What the programme at the
fort will be is not definitely known. In
fact, it will be largely dictated by Gen.
Cnaffee. A battalion review will con-
stitute an important part of the inspec-
ton.
When the inspection of the barracks
and officers quarters takes place, the
neeCs of the fort will be laid before Gen.
Chaffee. Among other things, his at
tention win be called to the fact that
the present barracks are not half large
enough and that a new set would be
very much appreciated, to say the
least.
re- 1t will incidentally be brought to his
attention that at present there are six
sets of officers quarters for fourteen
officers. "a condition of affairs that
should not exist. since every officer is
allowed separate quarters. So that
eight new sets of officers quarters win
be suggested. Eighty thousand dollars
would be adequate for this purpose.
A new guardhouse. some new store
houses. a canteen building, a recreation
building, with gymnasium and baths,
and a number of other very important
buildings are badly needed. In fact,
in order to properly accommodate the
men at the fort, It will be necessary to
make the post just twice as large as it
have been seriously disconnected for
some time. and hope that as result
of Gen. Chaffee's visit the Secretary of
War will be advised to make the nee
essary Improvements at an early date.
VIII Inspect Fort Freemont.
Col. A c. Taylor will join Gen. Chat
fees party at Fort Screven and will
go with them, on The Angler, to
Fort Fremont, where that post will
be inspected. The party will return
to Savannah the latter part of the
week. At the meeting to-day it will
probably be decided whether to enter
tain Cen Chaffee after the inspection
of the fort or before, the probability
being that the latter course will be
pursued
Gen. Chaffee has been entertained in
all of the cities which he has visited
When in Atlanta, some ten days ago,
he was accorded a reception and en-
tertained by several prominent citi-
zens. He is third in command in the
United States army, and in all prob
ability will some day be at the head
of the army. When Gen. Miles the
present lieutenant general of the army,
retires, Maj. Gen. Young will succeed
to the head and Gen. Chaffee will be
second in command.
Before coming to Savannah, Gen
Chaffee will inspect Fort Barrancas at
Pensacola, where a new system of fire
control and fire direction lne been in
stituted. He will be joined there by
board of officers. who will probably
proceed to Savannah with him While
it is not known exactly what, hour he
will arrive here, and it is doubtful if
he will apprise the officers at the fort,
everything is in readiness for him at
the post, and arrangements will be
made to receive him with Savannah s
characteristic hospitality