Omaha daily bee., 1904-08-27
CHANGES At FORT OMAHA
Plans Being Prepared to Fit it Up for Use
Ofsignal Corps,
GENERAL CHAFFEE DELIGHTED WITH OMAHA
Secretary Morton and wife Just Now
Busy House Hunting Prepara-
tory to Closing Their
Chicago Residence.
(From a stan Correspondent)

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25-(Special Tele-
gram )-QuartermasteF General Humphrey,
since his return with General Chaffee from
their tour of inspection of military posts
In the western country has been almost
swamped with work that has accumulated
during his absence and now that he has
the details relative to the movement Of the
troops to the maneuvers at Manassas to at
tend to-, he is additionally rushed.
General Humphrey, however, took time
today to say that telegraphic orders had
been sent to Sawyer chief quartermaster
of the Department of the Missouri to pre-
vent any further deterioration Of the build
ings at Fort Omaha, which are cOntem-
plated being used for signal corps pur-
poses. General Humphrey stated that his
department was already engaged in making
plans changing the headquarters building
at Fort Omaha into a barracks for two
companies of the signal corps and that
plans were also being made for tenn
porary hospital. AS soon as these plans
are perfected bids will he invited by
Quartermaster Sawyer to inaugurate the
new school for the signal corps at Fort
Omaha.
Speaking generally of his trip General
Humphrey says that 1t was purely one
Of business and that dress parades and
fuss and feathers were wholly ignored.
He said that while generally General Chat
fee and himself found the posts in fairly
good condition, a good many Of the old
posts required improvements which will be
recommended to the next sessions of con
gTess.
General Chaffee, speaking of his recep-
ton at Omaha, said that 1t was delight
full and that the courtesies shown him by
the citizens of Omaha would always have
a warm spot in his heart.
Morton Back at Desk.
Secretary OF the Navy Paul Morton was
at his desk this morning after an inspec-
ton Of the navy yard, along the New Eng
land coast Mr.. Morton had stack of
mail in front of him a couple of feet high.
When asked If he signed his name more
times as secretary Of the navy than vice
president Of the Santa Fe, he answered
while the number Of signatures were
about the same. there was considerable
less money in the navy job than In the
Job of vice president OF the Santa Fe.'
Mrs. Morton who returned with the sec
retary from his cruise to New England,
started out on house hunting expedition
today and as soon as the Mortons decide
upon their Washington residence, their
secretary's intention to remain in Wash
ington. barring possibly a run to New York
and to oyster Bay, until October when he
will go west to remain until after the
presidential election.
Postal Matters.
Rural free delivery established october l
Iowa-Adair Adair county, one additional
route; area, 80 square miles; population
537 Brandon, Buchanan county, one route
area Is square miles population, 53O
Pennington, VanBuren county; one addi-
tional route; area. % square miles; popu-
lation. 45O. Floris, Davis county; one addi-
tional route; area, % square miles; popula-
tion. $40. Greene Island, Jackson county
one route; area, % square miles; popula-
tion, sos Livermore, Humboldt county, one
additional route; area 80 square miles
population, $50 Moorland. Webster county
one route; area, So square miles; popula-
tion, $50. Osterdock Clayton county, one
route; area, p square miles; population
59O Pilot Mound Boone county, one route
area, 2S square miles; population, Co.,