Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-05-05
LETTERS ABOUT
FORT DOUGLAS.
post Not on List and 100000
Appropriation Never
Made.
REPRESENTATIVES WRITE.
communications From Senator suther'
land and Congressman Howell
To Real Estate Men.

Judge Colborn, president OF the Salt
Lake Real Estate association, mas re-
,s,ved letter from u. s. Senator suth-
sr,and at washington relative to at
t,,rs at Fort Douglas In which the
senator says:
"The regular appropriations hereto
fore made for the establishment or
new posts and the Improvement OF
those now In existence have been dis
,r.buted In their entirety by the gen.
eral staff, and TT. Douglas has not
been included for any amount what-
soever. The estimate for general
echeme of improvement at Fort Doug
las fixed the amount required at some
thing ever 100000, but no appropria-
ton to carry the scheme INTO eHecu.
zion was ever made. Not a dollar or
any general appropriation could be ap-
nlied TO improvements at any post not
Included IN the recommendations OF
the general staff. without a special pro-
,Jso In the bill; and there has never
been any special proviso for TT. Doug
Las. The general improvements which
have been going on at the fort for the
mast three or four years have been
nnder the immediate direction OF the
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and are not
Included In the plans of the generai
staff They have been discontinued
FOR the present for the reason that
The appropriation has been exhausted.
THE removal OF Captain Ham should
NOT be construed to mean that tne
work has been abandoned. captain
Hams detail Of four years service IN
the uuartermaster- generals depart
ment has expired and he has been re-
turned to the line. according TO army
regulations. When the funds In the
appropriation bill now pending arc
available, another officers VIII be de-
tailed to take his place believe
am keeping In touch with the depart
ment in connection with this matter
and am glad to be able to assure you
that a liberal expenditure for improve
ments at TT. Douglas for 1867 VIII be
made, You may be further assured
that the Utah delegation will see that
the needs Of FIT Douglas are not over
looked, I'm this connection, Il Woru III
regard to the two batteries recently
ordered transferred from Fl. Douglas
20 FIT. Russell. The order was MADE
IN accordance with the policy or the
department, which Is to station pat
teries In brigades at military posts
1pSt Sulteu lOT Ddtttiy PbipSSN''
Russell is regarded by the department
as battery post. well adapted lor
brigade drills and target practise, with
long range modern guns. Al no tlhie
has II been the intention OF the depart
ment 10 maintain, permanently. pat
terles nj FIT Douglas. the olncers
claim that the target range Is not eN-
tensive enough for practise with guns
that have range or three miles OF
more. have been urging the secre-
tarv Of war TO arrange for other troops
,o taLe tho Mace OF the batteries at
Vt Douglas. and in the course OF the
reimbursement OF stations, now under
consideration, | am confident that
arrangements will be made to provide.
I'm exchange desirable companies or
infantry or cavalry
FROM MR.. HOWELL,
Judge Colborn Is also In receipt OF
letter from Congressman Howell, IN
which the latter shows that the boast
Of ex-senator Kearns' paper some timo
ago that he was securing an approprla-
tion OF 81 200, 900 for the rebuilding or
Fort Douglas was all moonshine' Inc
congressman says:
81 have made two calls at the war
department-one in company with Sen
ator Smoot--to urge on the department.
the necessity and justice OF an ade-
quate apportiOnment OF funds Tor tho
rebuilding and Improvement OF the tort'
The secretary promised TO give the
matter early consideration and adviss
us just what plans are In contemplation
for the season with respect thereto. put
FOR the past week the department nae
been, as YOU know. so occupied with
measures of relief for the victims or the
terrible catastrophe at San FRANCISCO
that other matters have been relegated
10 after consideration.
81 can assure you that there Is no dis
position on the part OF the department.
20 discriminate against Fort Douglas.
but that IL viii receive It's full share
Of attention along with the other MILL
tary posts Right here too, l wish to
dlsabuse your mind OF the idea tina:
any definite plans for the rebuilding OF
this beautiful suburb at cost OF over
a million dollars were ever adopted:
you share what believe is a generally
peyailing opinion In Salt Lake, but from
the best information here obtalnable,
II is not based on facts.
In conclusion let me assure you that
We Of the Utah delegation here In Con-
gress will do everything possible to Sc
cure the improvements so much desired
or any other benefits which will be for
the advancement OF Utah and her peo-
pie Apropos OF this | shall be glad "a
have you direct my attention at any
time TO matters that need attention
down here. Very truly yours"