Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-12-10
nAuv KENNEREC JOURNAL SATURDAY. DECEMBER 10, 1910

Touch1nE the PROGRESS OF the Wofh "a
uncovering the wreck Of the Maine in
Havana Harbor, the Secretary states
that the plans for the construction Of
cofferdam Of interlockins steel piiing
around the wreck have been approved
and are now under execution. It is pro-
posed to draw off the water as soon as
the dam is tight and remove the overly
ing mud and other material in order to
permit, if desired, Of thorough eAami.
nation of the condition CT the wreck in
present position to determine the cause
of the explosion.
The appropriation Of $4,000 already
made will accomplish all Of the preliml-
nary work contemplated at present but
the actual removal Of the wreck and the
restoration of the harboT to its original
condition will require g further appropri-
alton, the amount Of which will depend
upon the disposition 10 be made of the
structure as q whole. In this connection
the Secretary says that it is desirable
that Congress should indicate the dispo-
sition TO be made OF the wreck npon
completion of the work OF removal.
Little more can be done than already
has been done in the very important
worl, Of instruction Of the organized
militia until some provision is made by
Congress which will allow the Depart
mcnt to assign officers on the active list
OF the army to duty with the militia
which IS now impossible owing TO the
pressing need Of officers for regimentai
service.
Success has attended the efforts OF the
NJ
personnel. necessary for manning the
coast Notifications. from the militia o.
the Sea board states. All OF the coast
states have provided for those coast ar
tiliery reserves except New jersey, Dele
ware and Louisiana and il is hoped that
these states will fail in line next year,
Unfortunately, the Secretary points
out, the existing law does not declare
distinctly the exact extent to which the
militia may be employed in the service
OF the United States and legislation
should be had that would enable the war
Department to determine in advance oE
war iust what officers and troops OF the
militia can be depended upon for SER
vice and thorough suitability. The pres
ent law was built up piece meal during
and since the Spanish American war
and is at best only temporary meas
ARE.
The Secretary says that q compfehen-
sive act providing fer the organization
Of a volunteer army only after Congress-
has made a declaration of war would be
Of inestimable value if the country ever
again is confronted with foreign var
Such legislation would permit Of the
% re
necessary plans for the organization,
equipment and supply OF volunteer
army and the selection of places for
mobilization, thus avoiding delays that
might be almost fatal TO defense ne
nation, he insists, should be ready With
a complete system for passing from
peace to q war establishment in order to
avoid the waste inseparabla from going
to war without full preparation,
The total estimates for military pur-
po~es for the next year aggregate Sl3s'-
674,278, which Is s3,257s04 less than the
appropriations for the current hscal
wear; the d crease oeing due to the fact
that the Department is asking for less
money for incidental expenses, post eZ-
changes, transportation and supplies,
public works at posts, clothing and camp
equipage, arms, and expenses at the
Military Acad my. On the other hand
slightly Increased appropriations are
asked for Notifications and other works
Of defense.
The cretary refers to his recent trip
to the Philippines and declares that the
result Of the first years application Of
the new tariff more than justified the
prediction that the decrease of customs
revenue would not be great and would
be satisfactorily met by an increase Of
internal revenue. The pressing need iii
Porto Rico was an Improvement In
health conditions and he recommended
the establishment OF an efficient health
department in the Islands.
The report concluded with a strong re-
commentator based upon personal OBJ
servation and the reports of the Chiefs
of all the bureaus In the War Depart
ment that some provision he made for
the retirement on annuities OF employees
who have become superannuated in the
service, thus following the practice which
many railroads and other large business
enterprises have found it advisable 10
adopt.