Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-02-08
FORT ETHAN ALLEN
IN LITTLE DANGER
Post of Importance for the Gar.
risoning of Troops Back
from Philippines.

Washington. Jan. 3O.-Secrctary of War
Stimson and General Leonard Wood
have evolved an economic scheme which
is seemingly designed to cOun:eract the
democratic thunder along that line
Their idea, as conveyed to Congress in
Il recommendation from Secretary
Stimson yesterday. is to wipe out about
10 army posts at one fell swoop, and
the gradual dismantlng and abandon
ment of about 10 more. Marked for a ling
erlng death in the latter category Is
Fort Ethan Allen. The argument of the
secretary Is that these posts have about
outived their usefulness, If they ever
had any. and the policy of "concentra-
ton will enable them to be closed and
thus save their, up-keep. This has very
pleasing sound to the professional
economist. searching for trouble but. In
the case Of Fort Ethan Allen at least,
| there Is much to be said in opposition
Primarily, Fort Ethan Allen was found
ed and located in its present position
because of Its strategic value near the
northern frontier. This reason has fully
as much force now as when it was To-
Gated II not more so.
Beyond that, another excellent and
vitality practical reason for its contin-
uance now exists. The forces in the
philippines, after serving in that climate
for certain length of time. are neces-
sarily brought home and located at some
post, where the recovery Of the general
health of the command Is of immediate
and especial importance. After repeated
trials of different posts for this purpose,
Fort Ethan Allen has been found to
| a Inv fpr cirah
the standpoint of climate. Therefore 1t
has come to be common practice in
the service to send troops who have
been enervated by tropical climate to
the Vermont post to regain their physi-
cal stamina
Again. with the statement that the
Panama canal will, when completed,
necessitate the presence there of at
least 10000 troops, the uses for the
above purpose of Fort Ethan Allen Is
certain to be largely increased. AS
to the proposition of the secretary of
war ana its probable result in the light
of the above facts. the members of the
Vermont delegation in Congress are
emphatically of one mind
OPINIONS OF DELEGATION
Senator Dillingham; believes that
nothing will or should come of the
proposition In effect he says that in
View of the good reasons to the con-
trary 1t will he a very long time be-
fore such an idea can be favorably
considered. That time Is hardly like
~ to arrive until a greater condition
of world disarmament has removed
the necessity for the maintenance and
care of soldiery.
Senator Page has not given the mat
l., ter careful consideration, but said: Il
am loyal Vermonter. ready to stand
for the interests of my State In every
proper way. If tho interests Of the
state are likewise the interests OF the
country and the service in continuing
Fort Ethan Allen. as now appears,
will certainly oppose the suggestion
Representative Foster says: I'm view o
the continued and increasing necesst!
for the use Of our soldiers in the trs~cs
the Idea OF abolishing Fort Ethan Arlel
, now or for long time to come is who'll!
impracticable and prcposterous. To sa,
nothing OF the reasons which located tn
fort where 1t Is. and these are ever
stronger now than then. Its use for troop
sent home from the tropics to recruit thei
health now renders It practically "A neccs
sity. and this necessity will he con
tinually Increasing. In reason, there i
only one side to the matter
These reasons, of course cannot appl
to many Of tho posts suggested, whicl
may have outlived their usefulness Il
their immediate vcinities and as thi
becomes apparent more and more of then
will quietly be dropped out, This vii
be recognized ms proper. but any indis
crminate sweep for campaign purpose
of course Will not be tolerated by Con