Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1912-02-08
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.


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, in 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 II. 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.
Troops to Watch Indians.
OF Fort Apache, it is said a 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 view of
securing economy of administration
and supply, or full measure of mill
tary effectiveness Consequently their
garrisons will not be increased and ulti-
matelv will be withdrawn to such con-
centration centers as congress may
authorize. These posts are Ethan Allen,
vt; Plattsburg, barracks, New York;
Robinson, Neb.; Mssoula, Mont; Lo-
gan, Col; Douglas, Utah, and d. y.
Russell, Wyo.
wyoming Post Expensive.
The latter post is shown to have cost
to date $4,925, 1856. 1t is said not to be
LOCATED with view of maximum econ
omy OF 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 tol
foreign garrisons, which can not be re
inforced from the UnitedXates after
the outbreak of hostilitiess With the
rest of the army a mobile force is Il
be organized and distributed among
about eight great strategical points II
the United States, instead of scattered
in 40 posts, as now.
Cut Cost of Maintenance.
Two or three of these groups woul'
be on line between the st. Lawrence
river and Atlantic, covering the ATTAIN
tic seaboard; two or three groups woul
be on the line between Puget sound AM
Los Angeles, covering the Pacltlc sea
board at least two groups between Tn
great lakes and the Rio Grande, servin
as first reserves for either seaboard an
for the development of the natlona
guard and volunteer forces to be organ
lied in the interior.
By the concentration of the army
eight posts, it is asserted, the annua
cost of maintenance would be reduce
about $5,5OO,Ooo.
Would Retain These Posts.
The following named posts are sal
to be SO located to permit their peln
retained as strategic concentrate
points: Fort Porter, Buffalo, n.
ALBANY is suggested as an alternotiv
position), Fort Oglethorpe, Georgl
especially desirable for cavalry pr
gade); Fort Mcpherson, Atlanta, vi
(of great strategic value with reterenc
to the south Atlantic and Gulf COAST
Fort Sam Houston, Texas (the pes
strategic position for the southern troi
teri; Fort Lawton, near Seattle, WASH
and Vancouver barracks, Washington
near Portland, and the presidlos
San Frincisco and Monterey, Californ
one or both of which may be include
in the California strategcal group.
Retain Only Few Posts.
Next comes process of heavy ellr
nation. for it is held that probably OF
only the following named posts shou
be retained: Benjamin HARRISON
diana; Columbus barracks, Ohio; 70
Sheridan, Illinois; Fort Des Nome
Iowa; Crooke, Nebraska; Omaha Ner