Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-12-15
FLYING MACHINES
ARE AN ARMY NEED
WHAT TO DO WITH WRECK.
Continued from page -

WHAT TO DO WITH WRECK.
The appropriation of 100000 already
made will accomplish all Of the pre-
liminary work contemplated at present
but the actual removal of the wreck
and tho restoration Of the harbor to it's
original condition will require a further
appropria ton. the amount of which will
depend upon the disposition TO be made
Of the structure as whole. In this con-
nection the secretary says that It Is
desirable that Congress should indicate
the disposition to be made Of the wreck
upon completion Of the work Of re-
moval.
Little more can be done than alreadc
has been Conc in the very important work
of instruction of the organized militia
until some provision is made by Con-
gress which will allow the department to
assign officers on the actiye list of the
army 10 duty with the militia. which is
now impossible owing to the pressing
need Of officers for regimental service.
Success has attended the efforts Of the
department to secure one-half of the per
sonnet, necessary for manning the coast
Notifications, from the militia of the
seaboad States. All Of the coast States
have provided for those coast artillery
reserves except New Jersey Delaware
and Louisiana and 1t is hoped that these
States will fall in line next year.
Unfortunately, the secretary points out
the existing law does not declare dis
tinctfy the exact extent to which the mil
itia may be employed in the service Of the
United States and Legislation should be
had that would enable the war depart
ment to determine In advance OF war just
what officers and troops Of the militia
can be depended upon for service and
there suitability. The present law was
built up piecemeal during and since the
Spanish American War and is at best
only temporary measure.
VOLUNTEER ARMY PLANS.
The secretary says that a comprehen-
sive act providing for 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 a foreign war
Such legislation would permit of the
preparation In time of peace Of all the
necessary plans for the organization,
equipment and supply of a volunteer
army and the selection OF places for
mobilization. thus avoiding delays that
might be almost fatal to defense. The
nation. he insists, should he ready with
complete system for passing from a
peace to a war establishment In order
to avoid the waste inseparabe from going
to war without full preparation
The total estimate for military pur-
poses for the next year aggregate sl33 ia. =
27S, which Is $685., 904 less than the appro-
priations for the current fiscal year, the
decrease being due to the fact that the
department Is asking for less money for
Incidental expenses, post exchanges,
transportation and supplies. public works
at posts, clothing and camp equippage
| arms and expenses nj the military acad-
envy. On tho other hand, slightly In
cread appropriations are asked for fortl
fcations and other works of defense.
The secretary 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 he great and would be
| satisfactorily met by an increase of in
ternal revenue, The pressing need III
Porto Rico vas an Improvement In hea'h
conditions and he recommended the On
tablishment OF an efficient health deP"r'-
ment In the islands.
The report concluded with s'ons
recommendation based upon PERSONA w
servation and the reports Of the c"'.'" y.
all the bureaus In the war dePa, '
that some provision he made TOT '"'
tirement on annuities Of emp'oyee WV
have become superannuated IN '"e 49,
Ice thus following the pracuce 49,
many railroads and other large p",' 90
enterprises have found 1t a'V's"''' :"
adopt