The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-02-02
END OF "ExTRAvAGANcE AND IN
EFFICIENCY" is URGED IN
REPORT TO CONGRESS.
BY SECRETARY STIMSON
Stations in North and South Dakota
Are Among Those Condemned.
Fort Smelling might
Be Retained"

decided that no less than sixteen, and
probably eighteen, existing army posts
should at once be abandoned lin order
to put an end to the extravaganza and
inefficiency resulting from improper
distribution of the mobile army"
The posts condemned are: Apache,
Ariz.: Boise barracks, Idaho: Brady.
Mich; Clark. Texas; George Wright,
Washington; Jay, New York: Lincoln,
Mcintosh, Texas; Mackenzie, Wyo-
ming: Madison barracks, New York;
Meade, South Dakota; Niagara, New
York: Ontario. New Rork; Wayne,
Mich; Whipple barracks, Ariz.; Will
liam Henry Harrison. Mont; and Vel
lowstone. Wyo. OF Fort Apache It is
said a possibility Of Indian trouble
near this post still exists and that
Fort Jay might be retained as head
quarters of the eastern division and
as the site of the eastern military
prison.
Posts to Be Retained.
There is another formidable list Of
posts which, while not recommended
for immediate abandonm~ lit. are de-
clared not to be located with a view
of securing economy of administration
and supply. or a full measure of mill
tary effectiveness. Consequently their
garrisons will not be increased and
ultimately will be withdrawn to such
concentration centers as congress may
authorize. These posts ars: Ethan
Allen, Vermont; Plattsburg barracks,
New York: Robinson, Nebraska; Mis-
soula, Montana; Logan, Colorado;
Douglas. Utah; and ID. A. Russell,
Wyoming. The latter post is shown
to have cost to date si,925 ,4s6. II is
said not to be located with a view to
maximum economy or strategic effect
iveness.
Special Stations to Go.
The principal object is to dispose of
the present small army with distinct
reference to its mission in case of war
This first involves adequate forces for
foreign garrisons. which cannot be re-
inforced from the United States after
remainder of the army a mobile force
is to be organized and distributed
among about eight great strategical
| points in the United States instead OF
scattered in forty-nine posts, as now.
Two or three of these groups would
be on line between the st. Lawrence
and Atlanta. covering the Atlantic
seaboard; two or three groups would
be on the line between Puget Sound
and Los Angeles. covering the Pacific
seaboard; at least two groups between
the Great Lakes and the Rio Grande
serving as first reserves for either sea
board and for the development of the
national guard and volunteer forces to
be organized in the interior.
BY the concentration of the army in
eight posts. II is declared, the annual
cost of maintenance of the army
would be reduced about $5.5O0.OO0.
Smelling Mentioned.
Next comes a process OF heavy elm
ination. for it is declared that prob
ably one only of the following posts
should be retained, Benjamin Harri
son, Indiana; Columbus barracks
Ohio: Fort Sheridan. Illinois; Fort
Des Moines. Iowa: Crook, Nebraska
Omaha. Nebraska: Leavenworth, Kan
sas; Riley. Kansas; Smelling. MINI.
Jefferson barracks. Missouri. Smelling
and Jefferson barracks might be re
tanned il il were decided to make
them stations of all arms.
Four lucky posts recommended fol-
retention are: Fort Sill. Oklahoma
which is peculiarly adapted for use as
a school of artillery and musketry
fire; Forts Bliss. Texas and Huschuca
Arizona needed as cavalry outposts
for some time on the southern border
and Fort Myer, Virginia. where II
probably will be necessary to retain a
small garrison near the national CAPT
tai for escort duty and other ceremo
NAL purposes.
The report declares that succeeding
secretaries of war have been hamper
ed in getting rid of useless and ex
pensive posts by local and political in
fiuences. II is declared that no less
than S30.000.000 has been spent on
such pos.s in the last ten years and
every dollar so expended became an
argument against their abandonment
Washington, ID. C.-The tariff re
vision fight opened in the house when
consideration of the metal tariff bill
was taken up as the first of the mea-
sures which the Democratic leaders
viii attempt to force through congress.
Attacked by the Republican side as
departure from Democratic pledges,
and as likely to be destructive to