The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-01-31
IN TINE OF PEACE
PREPARE FOR WAR
Secretary Taft Says Fortifica-
ton of Hawaii Requires I'M
mediate Attention.
APPROPRIATION is ASKED
LETTER WRITTEN TO SENATOR
ALLISON.

Washington. Jan. 3O-"There is every
reason why the Notifications at Hawaii
should be made ready"
Secretary Taft thus expressed himself
today in an urgent letter to Senator AL
hson. chairman of the committee on ap-
preparations. renewing his request for an
additional appropriation of $3.50, 900 for the
purpose Of terrifying Pearl harbor, Ha-
waii.
Late yesterday the senate passed an ap-
preparation bill for Qualifications, which
contained an allowance of but 100000
which is $4,000 less than the secretary
asked for. There is now 100000 available
under last years appropriation. and it is
said to be the secretary's desire TO ex-
pend at least 100000 for the Qualifications
i'm Hawaii
Text of Taft's Letter.
The text of Secretary Taft's letter to
senator Allison 81 as follows:
L write TO urge on YOU that the an
propriation for Pearl harbor be made
S35O.O00 instead Of 100000. We can GER
tainly .eXpend this in the next year. and
there there is every reason why the fortified
tons of Hawaii should be made ready
| VIII you not bring this to the attention
OF your committee and the senate The
enclosed statement from the national
coast defense board. recently appointed.
shows the fact / send it to you at the
suggestion of Senator Perkins,.
Suggestions of Defense Board.
The report Of the national coast de-
Tense board, referred to by the secre-
tary, was made to the president and by
/ him transmitted TO congress a year ago.
In sending IT. the president himself
strongly endorsed the boards recommen-
/ dations. which included a sweeping re-
! vision Of the plans Of the old Endicott
\ board designed to apply modern appli-
ances TO the coast defense plans The
board makes a strong argument for the
| construction Of l4-inch guns a type now
unknown in the service. instead of the
] Finch guns, for the Notifications of
J these points, I'm view of the wide chan
/ nvls TO be protected. However the de-
! Tense scheme for Pearl harbor and Homo
lulu. finally submitted, is upon the
! basis Of the existing types of ordnance
| and the board has asked for these items
Armament In Detail.
Six Pinch guns: four 6-inch guns: six
/ teen 12-inch mortars, costing. with theil
| carriages, altogether. S2.544.390 submarine
the central, and s94 AGO for the reserves
/ $4,000 for searchlights; fire control h,
/ which is meant an elaborate system OF
I electrical communication enabling the
! commanding officer TO control the fire
OF all the batteries with precision from
4 one point. $'20.65 making the total OF
the estimate submitted S.Z5424A The de
Tense board says:
Pearl harbor is OF such strategic. anC
Honolulu of such commercial Importance
that the national coast defense boart
| arranges for such first class defense
stating that these places cannot be helC
l unless fortified before the outbreak o
/ fend either. They are related i'm such
way that the fall of one involves the los
of the other. DefenSes should be imme
diately installed at both places