The Washington times., 1903-04-30
New Quarters to Be Pro
bided for the Army IN All
Sections of the Country.
Old Landmarks to Go.
SIost Important Points TO
Habe Garrison Representa-
tfOe of All Arms of the
Sefbfce-To Sell Property.

When the insurrection in the Philip
pines enabled the Secretary Of War to
determine upon the strength os the gar
risons to be retained in those Islands it
was decided to provide quarters in the
United States for twenty regiments OF
infantry, ten Of cavalry, and nearly all
CT the coast and field artillery.
The first step in this scheme was 10
reduce the size of the organizations from
the war strength which had obtained
Outing their service in Cuba, Porto Rico.
and the Philippine Islands ana then to
determine al what points permanent
quarters should be provided for them.
Landmarks Passing Away
Many Of the old frontier oosts were
of such fiimsy character that they were
abandoned several years before the out
break of the war with Spain: others
which were left with only a small guard
have become so diIapidated as to he not
worth the expense necessary TO make
them habitabIe for quartering troops
For some years past the fertilization
of the sea coast has been going on under
d ESBGI al SGAAGlle 6uIHOElLG0 D& 1BI-
gress. 1t was not practicable to erect
the necessary quarters at these points
until after ali the fortfhcations and
armament had been installed.
This plan seemed to be the only prsc-
ticabie ene but II resulted in sending
many OF the new companies of artillery
which were organized under authority
OF Congress two years ago to stations
81 which no quarters we're available IN
fact. the large increase Of artillery was
made at q time when there were not
sufficient quarters at the new batteries
for the artillery men already In ser
vice.
Moneg to Improve.
At the last session OF Congress these
matters were laid before that body and
the result was liberal appropriation
for the proper housing Of the arm. Tb@
excessive cost OF material and high
price OF labor viii prevent the eoHstrue-
tfon Of all the barracks needed TO house
the army. The Secretary OF War di-
rected that the whole matter be turned
over II the War College Board for
determination as to how and where the
appropriation could be best expended
treating the question as a whole
In the past the expenditure of the ap-
preparation for construction work has
been greatly determined by emergencies
or expenditure of the moment. notwith-
standfng fixed policy was adopted scme
years ago Of completing permanent posts
for large gaTrisons where the ipstruc-
ZION ef the troops could De carried or
WITH greater facility than was possible
IN many small stations
Report Submitted.
The War College Board has submitted,
q report 10 the Secretary Of War recon-
mending the allotment of funds for con
structioH work at q large number Of
widely separated posts. The board has
invited special attention to the need o.
preserving intact such large reserya-
tions as Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Assinni-
boiHe. and Keogh in Montana. at which
points the Government owns large guam
titles Of land. The board expresses the
opinion that the time has arrived when
it is desirable 10 establish garrisons at
several important points which shall
consist Of representations from all ar-as
Of the service.
To carry out this idea. which is recon-
mended not only for the military but
also for the economical advantage which
1t possesses, the board has recommend
ed that a garrison TO consist Of one
regiment OF Infantry, one squadron of
cavalry. and two batteries of field ar
tilIery be provided for at Fort sam
Houston, Texas; Fort Sheridan, i'll:
Fort Smelling. MINI, and the new post
near Buffalo. Y. 7.
A garrison Of this size already exists
at the General Service and Stan College
at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. where the
young officers OF the army are instructed
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