Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-12-31

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ed With those embodied in the, urgent
deficiency bill in order that the funds
may be made available at the earliest
practicable date. +.
In addition to the cavalry post,
thirty-two sets of officers, quarters
for an infantry post were authorized
and work commenced by purchase
and hire. These houses are about
two-thirds completed. A large laun-
dry is about 80 per cent completed.
Water Supply Assured.
One of the most important matters
dealt with in connection with Scho-
field Barracks during the past year is
the permanent water supply. A con-
tract has been let for the construc-
ton Of forty-million gallon dam on
the south fork of the Kaukonahua
river that will impound all the water
than can possibly be used by the per-
manent establishment. This supply
will be carried through five miles of
24-inch pipe, which is now being man
ufactured.
On July last board of officers CON
yened in Honolulu to study the broad
general problem of defense, and work
out specific plan that would make
Oahu impregnable." General Nj. ".
Macomb, department commander, was
president of this board, the other
members being Lieutenant Colonel
Morrison, infantry; Major Wooten, en-.
sineers and Major Blakely, coast artil-
lery. This board held sessions during
period of five weeks, and took ex-
III ustive observations in the field. The
report was regarded here as strictly
confidential, but from Washington
comes the news that some of the rec
concentrations have been made PUBLIC
one of the most important being that
not all the mobile troops he stationed
at Schofield, but that four regiments
of infantry be held nearer to Pearl
Earbor, the all-important base that
would have to be guarded in time OF
war.
Maneuvers Important.
During the latter part of October
the entire mobile army on the island.
divided into two commands of about
equal strength, engaged in maneuyeT
campaign of weeks duration. These
we're the most extensive field opera
tons ever held here, and proved both
interesting and instructive, showing
what course would be taken by hostile
troops landing on the north coast and
how their advance on Pearl Harbor
and Honolulu could best be checked. \
One of the most important events of
the army year was the coming OF the
First Infantry last May. This regiment
came from Vancouver Barracks, Wash
ington, and went under canvas at
Schofield Barracks. Its commanding
officer, Colonel George X. McGunnegle
is now i'm temporary command of the
department, during leave of absence
taken by General Macomb early in De-
cember.;
On March IL, 1912. company, third
battalion of engineers. relieved G
company, second battalion, with sta
ton at Fort De Russy. The latter
organization returned to the mainland,
for station at Fort Leavenworth. |
While the First Infantry and engi-
neer company were the only new or
ganizations to come to Oahu during
1912. word reached here during De-
cember that the Twenty-Fifth 1nfan-
troy, colored, and the 10th, 6Sth and
! 18th companies of coast artillery
would arrive during January, 1913.
staff Changes. -,
The consolidation of the quarter
master, pay and subsistence depart
ments, coupled with the recent Man
chu" law, made some changes in the
department staff. Last June Major
B. Frank Cheatham came here from
washington to hold the position Of
chief ouartermaster of the Depart
ment of Hawaii Up to December Is
he had as his immediate assistants,
Captain Frank B. Edwards, special
ist in concrete construction, who built
the barracks and quarters at Fort
Kruger. and who had charge Of the
important Schofield Barracks work,
and Captain Cliffard Game, depot
ouartermaster and in charge of the
transport service here. Both these
officers were sent back to duty with
troops, Captain c. G. Hail. Fifth Cav
airy. and Captain Ralph B. Lister,
First Infantry, being detailed to the
ouartermaster corps, and taking the
places of Captains Edwards and Game
respectively. Captain d. B. Case, for
merly depot commisary, was trans
ferred to Schofield Barracks as post
quartermaster December Is.
Captain c. c., Carter, general staff, |
was first relieved from duty at de- !
partment headquarters last May, and
ordered to command the 159th COM
pany at Fort Ruger, and was later
ordered to Fort Monroe, Va. For sew
eral months there was no general staff
officer attached to the department, but