The Minneapolis journal., 1906-11-18
Army POSTS DOOMED;
SMELLING IS IN DOUBT
War Department to Ask Aban-
donment Of from 100 to
150 Forts.

loo Forts. .s
By w. w. jermane, Colorado Building.
Washington, D. c. 2..'. =
Washington, Nov. II. - Secretary
sTaft's trip thru the west to inspect va
rious army posts will probably lead to
an effort on the part of the war de-
partment, the president consenting, to
abandon from 100 to $50 of the 275
army posts of the country, and the con-
solldation of the regular establishment
In larger and more compact quarters.
tlon of from half dozen to eight
brigade posts, with brigadier generals
In command.
1t is. expected that congress will re-
sist this sweeping change, and that in
the end the war department will be
compelled to modify its original de-
mands to meet the congressional will.
But the department will put up bold
front, and for time the contest will
possess a great deal of interest in all
parts of the country, more especially
that beyond the Mississippi river.
Indians Wars Brought Forts.
This western section has been set
tied, in the main, since the civil war,
and for years the danger of Indian out
breaks was very great. In consequence,
the government established army posts
here and there, at comparatively close
Intervals, all over the west, for the pro-
lection of settlers. These posts still
remain. Notwithstanding the danger
from the Indians long since passed
away, and it is well-known fact that
the cost Of maintaining them, as conr-
pared with the cost of maintaining the
same. number of men at the consoli-
dated posts referred to, is excessive.
Ihe war department, as soon as politi-'
cal influence in congress begins to ex-
ert itself against the abandonment of
posts IN certain states, will point out
that the proposed new plan will pay
for itself in money actually saved in
a space of half a dozen years.
The president, as commander-in-chief
Of: the army, has the right, of course,
to consolidate certain posts and aban-
don others whenever the good of the
service seems to require it, and he
would be entirely independent of con-
gress were it not that that body con-
trolls the pursestrings.
Means New Buildings,
If there is to be consolidation of
posts, obviously there must be much
new building at the consolidation cen
ters. The present quarters, only large
enough for two or three companies of
infantry, and with probably no equip
ment for either artillery or cavalry,
must be SO increased as to provide for
an entire brigade. or for brigade for
nation, And before this increase can
take place congress must supply the
money. 1t is at this point that tho
neht Will be made during the coming
session Of congress.
4. The tentative plans of the war de-
partment look to the establishment of
about nine brigade posts. This many
IS not really necessary, but since some
concession must be made to political
pull that is the number the de-
paftment now has in mind. Ono of
these is to be at Fort Ethan Allen, Yer
mont: and It is distinct "conces-
one OF the important factors in the SEN
ate and who must be consulted. He
was at one time secretary of war. An
other of them is to be at Fort D. A.
russell, Wyoming, the home of Senator
warren, chairman of the senate COM
mlttee on military affairs. There is
no no. need for either, it is said by mill
tary experts, and yet they are included
n n the list. for otherwise it is likely
that the entire plan might fail
~@. Fort Smelling in Doubt.
;. Fort benjamin Harrison, Indianapo-
lis, has been selected as another point
where the department is willinp to To-
cate brigade post. This is a central
point, railroad focus, and in the heart
OF one of the greatest industrial and
sections of the country.
The other brigade posts favored by
tne department. arc Fort Oglethorpe,
georgia; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Sam
IHeouston. q Texas; Vancouver Barracks,
" " asnlngton; some fort in southern Cal
lforn1a, not yet selected, and Dossih]v
Fort Douglas. Utah.
Fort Smelling, Minnesota, it will be
7 n1ottleed, t is not, on the official list of
brigade posts, but as that list is mere
ly tentative as yet, Smelling may later
ON be included. And if it should not
BE- the department will locate enough
men there to form brigade, even tho
the name may be wanting. A brigade
Is always formed of several regiments
OF the same kind of troops, infantry.
cavalry. or artillery. At Smelling
should 5 1T not be made a brigade post,
, y ~ 'tic lhColltlOH VI Tile department. to
locate a considerable number of men.
al three arms of the serv,
ice: This will be brigade formation.
and az for all practical purposes will be
the same thing as brigade post.
1t is the desire Of Secretary Taft that
President Roosevelt recommend this
abandonment and consolidation of posts
IN his message to congress next month.
and a ID the general impression here is that
the, president has agreed to do so. This
will make the issue, and open the way
for very interesting contest between
the administration on one side, desiring
to mobilize the army with view to
efficiency, and congress on the
ether, which cares little for this eff
cheney if in order to secure it certain
local revenues are to be cut off and To-
cal prestige DESTROYED thru the aban-
donment of existing army posts.
The inspection tour of Secretary Taft
has embraced the greater number of
the proposed brigade posts, and he now
has first hand information which he
will use when he is called upon to tes-
tify before the military committees of
the. two houses of congress in defense
of his new policy.