Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1912-02-03
WOULD ABANDON
MANY ARMY POSTS
SECRETARY STIMS0N OF WAR
DEPARTMENT THINKS IDEA
A MONEY SAVER.
Boise Barracks and Many Small Army
Posts to Go-Retain Fort Lawton and
Vancouver Observation-Disclosures Eight
Posts Enough-Three on Atlantic,
Three on Pacific, Two Between.

Washington.-Se Of War Slim
son, acting upon an exhaustive report
fro mthe general staff, has decided that
no less than 16 and probably IS exist
ing army posts should be abandoned at
once, Gin order to put an end to the
extravaganza and inefficiency result
ing from improper distribution of the
mobile army"
The posts condemned are Apache,
Ariz.; Boise barracks, Idaho; Brady,
Mich; Clark Texas; George Wright,
Spokane, Wash; Jay, New York; Lin
coin, N. D.; Logan IL. Roots, Ark; Nc
Intosh, Texas; Mackenzie; Wyo.; Madi-
son barracks, New York; Meade, S. D.;
Niagara, New York; Ontario, New
York; Wayne, Mich; Whipple, bar
racks, Ariz.; William Henry Harrison,
Mont, and Yellowstone, Wyo. t}
Troops to Watch Indians.
OF Fort Apache, it is said posi-
bility of Indian trouble near the post
still exists, and that Fort Jay might be
retained as headquarters of the East
ern division and as the site of the east
ern military prison.
There is another formidable list of
posts, which, while not recommended
for immediate abandonment, 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 ulti-
mately will be withdrawn to such con-
centration eenters as congress may
authorize. These posts are Ethan Allen,
Vt; Plattsburg, barracks, New York;
Robinson, Neb.; Missoula, Mont; Lo-
gan, Col; Douglas, Utah, and d. A.
Russell, Wyo.
Wyoming Post Expensive.
The latter post is shown to have cost
to date $4,925, 4s6. 1t is said not to be
located with view of maximum econ
omy or strategic efficiency.
Secretary Stimson' S report Is made
in answer to a house resolution by
Representative Buckley of Ohio.
The inquiry has developed interest
ing information regarding the plan of
the military strategists for the future
disposition of the army and its i'm
provement.
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 can not be re-
inforced from the United States after
the outbreak of hostilities. With the
rest 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 40 posts, as now.
Cut Cost of Maintenance.
Two or three of these groups would
be on a line between the st. Lawrence
river and Atlantic, covering the Allan
tic seaboard; two or three groups would
be on the line between Puget sound and
Los Angeles, covering the Pacific sea
board; at least two groups between the
great lakes and the Rio Grande, serving
as first reserves for either seaboard and
for the development of the national
guard and volunteer forces>to be organ
lied. in the interior.
By the concentration of the army in
eight posts, it is asserted, the annual
cost of maintenance would be reduced
about $5,5OO,O 900.
Would Retain These Posts.
The following named posts are said
to be so located to permit their being
retained as strategic concentration
points: Fort Porter, Buffalo, N. Y.
albany is suggested as an alternative
position), Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
Especially desirable for a cavalry bri-
gade); Fort Mcpherson, Atlanta, Ga.
(of great strategic value with reference
to the south Atlantic and Gulf coast)
Fort Sam Houston, Texas (the best
strategic position for the southern from
tier); Fort Lawton, near Seattle, Wash,
and Vancouver barracks, Washington,
near Portland, and the presidios of
San Frincisco and Monterey, California,
one or both of which may be included
in the California strategieal group.
Retain Only Few Posts.
Next comes a process of heavy elm
ination, for it is held that probably one
only the following named posts should
be retained: Benjamin Harrison, In
diana; Columbus barracks, Ohio; Fort
Sheridan, Illinois; Fort Des Moines,
Iowa; Crooke, Nebraska; Omaha, Neb.;
Leavenworth, Kan; Riley, Kansas;
Smelling, Minnesota; Jefferson bar
racks, Missouri.
Jefferson barracks might be retained
if it were decided to make it a station
of all arms. Riley might serve as
suitable station for a cavalry brigade.
Four posts recommended for reten-
ton are Fort Sill, Oklahoma, peculiarly
adapted for use as a school Of artilitry
and musketry fire; Fort Bliss, Texas,
and Huachuca. Arizona, needed as cav