Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-12-10
Sec. Diekinson's Annual
Report and Estimates.
Asks for AeronauticaI Equip
ment for Military Use.
Total Estimates, $I3s,674,27S..-
Army In Good Condition.

flights IN aerOplaneS IN France, oec-
rotary Dickinson comes out in his an
nual report with strong endorse
mena OF the flying machine and with n
recommendation to Congress for an
approximation to provide the Signal
Corps with a reasonable number of the
better type Of machine for instruc-
tions purposes and field work.
He recalls the fact that the United
States was the first nation officially
to recognize the aeroplane for mill
tary purposes and conducted at Fort
Myer in 1908 the first public flight OF
a heavier than air machine, yet it has
since that date made no addition to its
aeronautlcal equipment, which at
present consists Of one small dirigible
balloon, one Wright aeroplane, and
three small captive balloons. Nor mas
it added to its trained personnel
which at present consists OF one
Signal Corps lieutenant and nine en-
listed men, on duty in connection with
aeronautics. There is only one Of
ficer who Is a. licensed pilot for free
balloons.
The Secretary calls attention 10 the
fact that the entrance to Chesapeake
Bay, one of the most ir.po1rant" points
strategically on the Atlantic Sea
G sinsie :, su s~h beiRr !3sas o. selsna
the channel between taps Charles
and Cape Henry. At another inpor-
tant point-the, eastern entrance to
Long island Sotlnd-additional guns
are needed. Except for these in
stances, so far as guns alone are con-
cerned, the sea coast defenses at all
home ports are in very satisfactory
state, but much remains to be done in
providing ouch nuxiliaries as search
lights and in developing the fire con-
troll system, which will require about
100000 Of expenditure.
Congress is asked to authorize an
expenditure of $19,546,843 for the
fertilization of the termini Of the
Banana Canal, including the construc-
ton of posts for the permanent garri-
son, and $7000,000 of this sum should
be made available Immediately in Or
der to complete the project within
three years. The additional sum OF
S2,000,000 Is also wanted Immediately
to be applied towards the creation Of
naval establishments in the Canal
Zone as necessary part of the de-
tense Of the Canal.
The Secretary notes with gratifica-
ton reduction by 30.6 per cent. in
the number of assertions last year
compared with the preceding year.
Altogether there were 3464 assertions
or percentage of 1856 of the strength
of the army which was less than any
fiscal year since 1899. The decrease
was most marked in the engineers,
field artillery and cavalry.
This is believed to be the result of
the extraordinary effort made, by the
department in the direction OF prompt
and vigorous pursuit Of deSerter by
means practically certain to result in
his apprehension and subsequent pun
ishment as a.military convict under
the hard and rigorous conditions Of
prison discipline.
The attitude Of the department is
that its duty is to safeguard and pro-
tect the interests of the army TO cor
rect the evil rather than to reform the
evil doer-and to impress The fact
that desertion from the army, which
in time of war may be punishable by
death, Is in time of peace n criminal
offense and that the punishment of
The death rate in the army last
year was the lowest that has ever oc-
CURED, the total number being. 270 of
which 23s were from disease and l42
from injuries. SIX of the latter being
killed by hostile Moros in ac ton or
while on sentry duty. Tube rculosis
claimed the greatest number of vic
Tins. numbering 43 and there were 81
deaths from faunshot wounds. There
were 80 suicides and Is homie 1des.
a remarkable fact is that nW deaths
occurred from sun stroke or snake bite
among the troops in tho tropics nor
from cold among the troons in Alaska
and along the Northern frontier. Ala ka
by the way, as in former years, had the
best health record. decidedly e:Icelling
the United States which came recond.
followed by Porto Rico, Hawaii and the
Philippines. The rates for ..e Philip
pines however Improves year by year
and now approximate more closely to
those Of the United states than those OF
the United States to Alaska.
Dealing with the regular army torgani-
cation. t'ne Secretary urges the adoption
OF ~ DIVISION of law. similar 70 that
governing the Navy for the elimination
OF tnefficient officers. There IS pressing
need for efficient officers to replac e
those detailed from their regiments on
necessary stafY and miscellaneous duty
and the Secretary makes a strong plea
for the passage of the pc nding bill pro-
viding for the addition of 6I2 officers OF
various grades, Last Jure every officer
on detached duty who CO uid possibly be
relieved was ordered to join his proper
command but the net r. jsut was disap-
pointing as few Of these officers could be
spared from the impo rtant details TO
which they have been assigned.
The most serious feat ure of the present
military situation anfi one that should
he corrected immedia' iely. in the opinion
Of Secretary Dickins on. is the shortage
Of field artillery ma ferial There Is
very inadequate su pply of guns. car
riages and ammun tion, due largely TO
lack of appropriate on. The types needed
have been develo1 led and some Of each
are under manufs Lture. but the appro'
priations do not permit Of the production
Of any cnnsidera hSe quantity.
The Chief Of Ordnance already has
called attention to the fact that m"cn
$;voa 20 ron,,{reiI n manufacture this