New-York tribune., 1912-01-29
STINSON WOULD CLOSE
MANY OLD ARMY POSTS
Secretary of War Plans ConCen-
tratiOn at Eight Great
Strategic Points,
YEARLY SAVING, $5,500,000
Local and Political Influences,
He Reports to Congress, So
Far Have Prevented
Such Economies.

Washington. Jan. 2S-Secretary OF War
from the General Staff, has decided that
no less than sixteen and probably egh-
teen. existing army posts should at once
N abandoned 'In order TO put an end to
the extravaganza and inefficiency result
ing from improper distribution of the mo-
bic army" it was announced to-day. The
posts condemned are:
.Aparho Arizona: Boise barracks, Idaho;
Brady Michigan. Clark, Texas; George
Wright Washington; Jay. New York; Lin
coin, North Dakota; Logan II. Roots, Ar
kansas. Mcintosh, Texas; Mackenzie,
wyoming; Madison barracks, New York
Meade. South Dakota; Niagara. New York
Z Ontario, New York; Wayne, Michigan;
Whipple barracks, Arizona William Henry
Harrison, Montana, and Yellowstone
Wyoming
o. Fort Apache il is said a possibility
Of Indian trouble near that post still eX-
iste and that Fort Jay might be retained
As Headquarters of the Eastern Division
and AS the site of the Eastern military
prison.
There is another formidable list of posts
which while not recommended for immedi-
atC abandonment. are declared not TO be
situated with view of affording economy
or administration and supply or a full
measure Of military effectiveness. Conse-
aueutly their Cdrrisons will not he I'm
creased. and ultimately will be withdraw
10 such concentration centres as Congress
may authorize. These posts are:
Ethan Allen. Vermont; PlattsburS bar
racks New York; Robinson, Nebraska
SHT%' Boness, Utah. H"sn1 and D. A. oS Russcl WON
ing
The last named post fs shown to have
cost to date A925.AS6
Answers House Resolution.
sSocretary Stimson's report Is made in an
s,yor 70 a House resolution by Representa-
tive Bulkley, Of Ohio. The inquiry has de-
vcloped interesting. Information regarding
the plans of the military strategists for
the future disposition of the army and III
Improvement.
The principal object is to dispose Of thc
present small army with distinct reference
to its mission in case of war. This firs
involves adequate forces for foreign garri
sons which cannot be reinforced from the
United States after the outbreak of hos
urtes. With the rest Of the army mo
INF lOIlR - ~ Dt pISdlllHSu dliu ulSNi lDblt'
sfhong about eight great strategic points in
The United States. instead of scattered in
forty- nine posts. As now.
Two or three of those groups would bt
ON line between the St. Lawrence anc
Atlanta, covering the Atlantic seaboaro
TWO or three groups would he on a line
between Puget Sound and Los Angeles
covering the Pacific seaboard, and at least
two groups would he placed 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 organized in the inte-
rior.
BY the concentration of the army in eight
RoFts. it is asserted, the annual cost of its
maintenance would he reduced by about
$4,000 q year. The following posts are
said TO he so situated as 10 permit of their
being retained as strategic concentration
points:
Fort Porter Buffalo (Albany is suggested
as an alternative position; Fort Ogle
thorpe. Georgia especially desirable for z
cavalry brigadeD; Fort Mcpherson, Atlanta
(of great strategic value with reference Il
the South Atlantic and Gulf COAST; For
Sam Houston, Texas 0he best strategic
position for the Southern frontier: For
ldNtCn, near Sedtte' ana dnSOLNtr pa
racks. Washington. near Portland, and th'
preSidiOS Of San Francisco and Monterey
cal. one or both of which may he in
c3uded in the California strategic group.
-Four lucky posts recommended for re-
krtion are Fort Sill, Oklahoma, which is
peculiarly adapted for use as a school OF
artillery and musketry fire; Forts Bliss
Texas. and HuachuCa. Arizona, needed as
cavalry outposrs for some time OH the
Southern border. and Fort Mycr, Virginia
where it probably will he necessary II
retain a small garrison near the national
capital for escort duty and other cercmo
NAL purposes.