The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-11
US. ARTILLERY SHORTAGE
AFFECTS RHODE ISLAND
Forts Grebe Adams and Rodman Gain Under
Scheme-Fort Wetherel May Be Made Sub Fort.

The new plan of concentrating the
strength OF the coast artillery organiza-
tions. in order TO offset TO some degree
the lack OF officers and men In that arm
of the military service. will cause con-
siderable changes TO be made at posts on
the northeastern coast, as IL Is radical
change from the prevailing unsatisfac-
tory "scatteration" policy. and it consti-
tutes the wisest solution OF present con-
ditions in the service that can be made.
Certain posts will be abandoued so far
as regular garrisons are concerned, and
left merely in the hands OF caretakers.
while others, to be known as main
posts" will become doubly important
from the standpoint of personnel and
training.
There are rs separate forts where mod
ern coast defences are installed. and It
would eventually require 1885 officers and
a. 700 men TO form one complete relief
for these posts. while the unwelcome fact
is that. even since the amendatory legis-
lation OF Jan. %. 1907. the present strength
authorized for the Coast Artillery corps
is only 7O1 Officers and 1921 enlisted men,.
Moreover, the authorized strength does
not exist at all. for IL is not only extreme
ly difficult to obtain a sufficient number
OF enlistments for the ranks, but COM
missions as Junior officers are almost go
ing begging
WETHERELL A SUBPoST
Under the circumstances. II has been
deemed best 10 concentrate the present
strength at certain forts. in a way to use
the force TO the best advantage. This
means that there will be n certain num-
Der of "main posts and a certain other
number OF Sub posts" the latter TO be
left In the hands OF only sufficient
number OF men to care for the ordnance
and fortihcations
The whole plan. as devised by the chief
OF artillery, has been outlined In an elab-
crate set OF tables, with accompanying
comments and descriptions.
In the artillery district Of Narragansett
Il is proposed to have three main posts
and one sub post Fort Wetherell being
reduced TO a sub post. The scheme. OF
course. contemplates the construction OF
n great number OF barracks and officers
quarters at tho main posts, In order 20
provide for the proposed concentration
OF companies. Tho scheme also involves
a shifting about OF commissioned officers
and men in the several districts and
among the several posts
II Is proposed 10 distribute the 80 cap
tains and 90 licutenants at present In the
service for duty I'm coast artillery districts
as follows aptains-Company duty.
10: district staff. ~ total 2l2; avail,sole
for duty, 100, leaving a shortage OF two
sevenths. Lieutenants-Company duty.
$40: district staff az total, 2s2: available
for duty. 329; leaving u shortage OF 50. or
about one-seventh IL is proposed. gem
orally speaking. so TO assign officers that
the shortage shall be uniform at the main
posts under the concentration scheme.
DETAILS PLANNED.
After the concentration scheme IL car.
ried out, the assignment OF officers OF
the various grades at the several posts In
the Nsrragaasett district and a number
OF buildings recommended for construc-
ton on account OF the concentration
measure will be as follows:
Fort Rodman tmain post)-Two com
panles: one major two captains. -four
iieutenants. one medical officer. -four
post non-commissioned STAFF. and one
electrician sergeant. Buildings. for com
mlssioned officers.
Fort Adams (nsin posO-Five compan-
les: one band: one colonel one major, hve
captains ten lieutenants, two medical Of
fceTs, -four non-commissioned stan, one