The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-05-05
IMPROVEMENTS At
FORT DOUGLAS
Two Letters Regarding State of
Affairs About Military
Post.
THEY ARE TRANSMITTED
TO REAL ESTATE MEN
Reproduced for General Infor
nation, AS Well as for
Comparison.


and Congressman Joseph Howell to Ed
ward +. Colborn regarding the state of
affairs at Fort Douglas have been received
at Salt Lake. The letters are here repro
duccd and arc submitted for general in
formation as well as for comparison.
Sutherland's Letter.
United States Senate. April 20 lsOs.-Edward
F, Colborn. Esq. Salt Lnko city Utah. My
Dear Judge. Your letter OF April In regard
To appropriations for Ft. Douglas is received.
After reading IL / am forced 10 the conolu-
sion that you arc laborinG under a mlsundcr-
standing In respect OF this matter. The reg
ulor appropriations heretofore nude for tho
mcnt OF those now In existence have been
distributed In their entirety by the general
stan. and FIT. Douglas han not been Included
Ior any amount whatsoever The estimate
for general scheme OF improvement at FIT
U9uGiRs ixcd the amount required at come
thing over 81. oe0.O 600. but no appropriation to
carry the Bchemo into execution ever
made. Not dollar OF any general appro
prlntion could be implied 10 improvements at
any post not included in the recommendations
OF the general stan, without special proviso
In the bill: and there has never been any
special provIso for Ft Douglas. The general
improvements which have been going on ut
tho fort for the past three or four years
hnYc been under the immediate direction of
tho QunrtcrmastcT- general and not in
eluded In the plans Of the general stan.
for the reason that the appropriation has been
exhausted. The removal OF CAPTAIN Ham
work has been abandoned. Captain Hams
detail of four years service in the quarter
muster generals department has expired and
he has been returned 10 the lnc according
20 army regulations When tho funds In tho
appropriation bill now pending arc available
another officer will be detailed to take his
place | believe | am Keeping in touch with
the department in connection with this mat
ter and glad TO be ablc TO assure you
that q liberal expenditure for improvements
at Ft, Douglas for 1867 Will be made. You
may DO further assured that the Utah dele
arc not overlooked. In this connection.
word In regard 10 the TWO batteries recently
Russola. This order was made In accordance
with the policy OF tho department, which Is
to station batteries in brlgades at military
posts best suited for battery purposes FIT.
Russell is regarded by tho department as
battery post. well adapted for brigade drilo
and target practice. with long-rango modern
OF the department TO maintain. permanently.
batteries at FIT Douglas Tho officers claim
that the target range In not extensive enough
for practice with guns that have range OF
three miles or more. l havo been urging the
Secretary OF War to arrange for other troops
10 tnke tho place OF the batteries at Fl. Doug
las and in the course OF the readJustment OF
stations, now under conNideration. l am CON
Adent that arrangements VIII be made TO pro-
vide, in exchange. desirable companies of in
fnntry or cavalry. Very truly you're
HowelPs Letter.
Wa. NGToN, April 2: l90s.-Hon. Edward
ton ~ Lake City. Utnh.-Dear sir:-slnee
tn trt Of your favor OF April H. In refer
cT the rehabilitation OF tho Fort Douglas
n, 4 = reservation, l have made two calls
at ltg War dopartmcnt-onc In company OF
Senator Smoot-to urge the department tho
necessity and justice OF adequate appor-
tionment OF funds for the rebuilding and I'm
proycmcnt OF tho fort, The Secretary prom
ised to give tho matter carly confederation and
advise us just what plans arc In contemplation
for tho season With respect theTeo, but for tho
pnst week tho department has been, you
know. so occupied With measures OF relief for
the Victims OF tho terrible catastrophe at San
Francisco that other matters have been relc
gated to after consideration.
I can you that there is no disposition
on the part Of the department TO discriminate
against Fort Douglas. but that IL Will receive
its fun shnrc Of attention along With tho 9TH
or military posts Right here too / wish to
1isnbusc your mind of IN" Idea that any def
nItc plans for tho rebuilding Of this beautiful
suburb at n cost of over million dollars
ever adopted: YOU share what believe IL n
prevailing opinion in Salt Leke but
from the best Information here obtninnble. IL
Ia not bnscd facts.
In conclusion. lot assure you that OF
tho Utah delegation here in Congress Will do
everything possible 10 scci,re tho improvements
so much desired any other benefits which
VIII be for tho advancement Of Utah and her
people. kpropos ot this shall be glad to hive
you direct my attention Mt any time to mat
ters that need attention down here Very
truly yours, JOSEPH HOWELL.