Albuquerque morning journal., 1910-12-10
PANAMA CANAL
FORTS COST
MILLIONS
WAR SECRETARY WANTS
APPROPRIATION AT ONCE
Annual Report Finds Army in
Generally Good Condition.
Less DeSerterS Last Year.
More Big Guns Needed,
ny Morning journal srselal Leased wIrel


ny Morning journal sreclaI Leased wirel
Washington, Dec. 9.-As might
have been expected after his personal
flights in aeroplanes in France, Sec
retary Dickinson comes out in his
annual report with strong endorse
ment Of the flying machine and with
"A recommendation to congress for an
appropriation to provide the signal
corps with a reasonable number of
the better type Of machine for instruc-
ton 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
heavier than air machine, yet 1t has
since that date made no addition TO
it's aeronautical equipment, which az
present consists Of one small dirgible
balloon, one Wright aeroplane and
three captive balloons. Nor has 1t add
ed to its trained personnel, which at
present consists of one signal corps
lieutenant and nine enlisted men, on
duty in connection with aeronautics.
There is only one officer who Is IL
censed pilot for free balloons
The secretary calls attention to the
fact that the entrance to Chesapeake
Bay, one of the most important points
strategically on the Atlantic sea coast,
is wholly unfortlfied, not single gun
being mounted TO defend the channel
between Cape Charles and Cape Hem
rv. Al another important point-the
eastern entrance 10 Long Island
Sound -- additional guns are needed.
Except for these instances, so far as
guns alone are concerned, the sea
coast defenses at all home ports are
In a very satisfactory state, but much
remains to be done in providing such
auxiliaries as searchlights and in de-
veloping the fire control system,
which will require about $4,00o,oVo
Of expenditure
Congress Is asked TO authorize an
expenditure Of Si9,b46,S43 Tor the
forsssfeatila Of the terminal Of the
Panama ogNal, Including the construc-
tion OF posts for the permanent gar
rlson. and $1,000 600 OF this sum
should be made available immediate
ly in order TO complete the project
within three years. The additional sum
of S2,000,0 900 Is also wanted immedi-
ately to be applied towards the erec-
ton OF naval establishments in the
canal zone as a necessary part OF the
defense of the canal
The secretary notes with gratifica-
ton a reduction by 800 per cent IN
the number of desertions last year
compared with the preceding year.
Altogether there were S.4B4 deser-
tons or "a percentage of 3.66 of the
strength of the army which was less
than any fiscal year since 1899. The
decrease was most marked in the en-
gineers, 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 de-
serter by means practically certain 10
result in his apprehension and sub
sequent punishment as military con-
vict under the hard and rigorous con-
ditions of prison discipline.
The attitude Of the department IS
that it's duty IL to safeguard and pro-
tect the interests OF the army to cor
rect the evil rather than to reform
the evil--doer aud to impress the fact
that desertion from the army which
in time of war may be punishable by
death. is In time of peace criminal
offense and that the punishment OF
the deserter will be severe.
The death rate in the army last
wear was the lowest that has ever oc-
Cured. the total number being $40,
of which 22S were from disease ana
l42 from injuries, six of the latter
being killed by hostile Moros or while
on sentry duty Tuberculosis claimed
the greatest number OF victims, NUM-
bering AZ and there were 81 deaths
from gunshot wounds. There were
33 suicides and Is homicides.
A remarkable fact is that no deaths
occurred from sun stroke or snake
bite among the troops in the tropics
nor from cold among the troops in
Alaska. Alaska, by the way, as IN
former years. had the best health
record decidedly eNcelling the Unit
ed States which came second, follow
ed by Porto Rico, Hawaii and the
The rates for the Phli-
ippines. however. improves year by
year and now approximate more
closely TO those Of the United States
than those of the United States does
to Alaska.
Dealing with the regular army or
the secretary urges the
adoption of a provision Of law, SINH
lar to that governing the navy for the
Elimination Of Inefficient officers.
There is pressing need Tor efthcent
70 replace those detailed from
their regiments on necessary starr and
duty and the secretary
makes strong plea Tor lhe phsSaSe
,f the pending bill providing for the
addition Of G12 officers of various
GRADES. last June every officer on
detached duty who could possibly be
.eueved was ordered to join his prop
,r command hut the net result was
as few OF these officers
,onld be spared from the important
ietails to which they have been as
ilgnod.
The most serious feature Of the pres
mt military situation and one that
hould be corrected Immediately. in
he opinion OF Secretary Dickinson. Is
he shortage OF field artillery materi-
%. There H. q very inadequate sup
lly Of guns. carriages and ammnni-
ion. due largely to lack Of apprppri-
.tlons. The types needed have been
developed and some OF each are un-
cr manufacture. but the appropria-
Ions do not permit OF the production
f any considerable quantity.
The chief OF ordnance already has