The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-02-08

Mcintosh, Texas; Mackenzie, Wyc
ming; Madison barracks, New YORK;
Meade, South Dakota; Niagara, New
York; Ontario, New Rork; Wayne,
Mich; Whipple barracks, Ariz.; VIII
liam Henry Harrison, Mont; and yell
lowstone, Wyo. OF Fort Apache 1t 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 n
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 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
| ultimately will be withdrawn TO such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 $4,925,4 S6 1t 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 it's mission in case of war.
| This first involves adequate forces for
foreign garrisons, which cannot be re-
inforced from the United States after
the outbreak of hostilities. With the
remainder Of the army a mobile force
is to be organized and distributed
among about eight great s~trategical
points in the United States instead Of
scattered in forty-nine posts, as now.
Two or three of these groups would
be on a 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, it is declared, the annual
cost of maintenance of the army
would be reduced about $5,500,00
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, Mimi.
Jefferson barracks, Missouri. Smelling
and Jefferson barracks might be re
tanned if it 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 al
a school of artillery and musketrI
fire; Forts Bliss, Texas and Huschuca
Arizona needed as cavalry ~outpost'
for some time on the southern border
and Fort Myer, Virginia, where i
probably will be necessary to retain
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
1uences. 1t is declared hat no les
than 1000, 900 has been spent OF
such posts in the last ten years an
every dollar SO expended became al
argument against their abandonment