The San Francisco call., 1913-07-31
Mr. Garrison Declares 1t
Would Be Folly to Talk of
Plans Until He Has In
spected Entire Army
GENERAL WOOD is
SPHINXLIKE ALSO
Visitors Inspect Forts and
Big Guns, See Fair Site
and Enjoy Luncheon

II Secretary of War Lindley NJ. Gar
the condition of the forts of the Pre-
sidio of San Francisco on this side of
the bay, as he saw them yesterday,
he kept the fact to himself.
After a day spent in the minute ex-
aminatio of Notifications, barracks
and Quartermaster stores. the secre-
tary was no more committal than be-
fore he had seen them.
'I have laid down hard and fast
rule not to discuss military plans while
am on this trip. Every recommenda- /
ton that has been made will be
weighed carefully when ] get back to
Washington and the funds will be spent
accordingly" said Mr.. Garrison.
Secretary Garrison and General
Leonard Wood were especially inter
ested in old Fort Point which rumor
says the war department plans to make
use or as site for a military prison
when Alcatraz is abandoned in favor
Of an immigration station.
TALKS ABOUT WEATHER
Secretary Garrison refused to step
over his statement that limited him 10
discussions of the weather and climate
All of the members of the party en-
thused at San Francisco Secretary
Garrison was more talkative than the
others. He said many nice things
about the Presidio, but they concerned
chiefly the wonderful views to be had
from the reservation.
After an inspection of the exposition
site during the afternoon Mr. Garrison
accompanied President c. c. Moore on a
trip through Golden Gate park.
At the panhandle they stopped at the
lodge of John MacLaren, superintend-
ent of the park.
You have built one of the wonders
of the world here" Garrison said to
McI.aren.
'I predict the greatest success of
any exposition in history for the Pana-
ma-Pacifc,'' said Secretary Garrison.
after inspecting the site.
This looks like it is going to be
bigger than it is advertised" was Cen
eral Woods comment.
Accompanying the cabinet officer are
General Wood. chief OF staff; General
James B. Aleshire. chief OF the quarter
masters bureau; Captain S J. B. Schin-
del OF the general staff; Brigadier Gen
eral Weaver Of the coast artillery corps,
and W. r. Pedrigo, the secretary's prt-
vate secretary.
GENERAL Is SPHINX
After the trips for the day were over
General Wood was quizzed in the hope
OF eliciting an answer that could be
partment Is soon to announce plans
that will make San Francisco greater
war base Like his superior, General
Wood was a sphinx.
It was 1870 when the party reached
the home of Major General Murray at
Fort Moson, for luncheon.
Besides the Garrison party, there
were present at General Murray's
luncheon: Charles c. Moore. president
Of the exposition company; Major Sid
ney A. Cloman, President Moore's mill
p fary aid; Lieutenant David Foote Sell
iers, his naval aid; Captain Asher Car
ter Baker, director OF exhibits; H. D. H.
Connick. director Of works; Lieutenant
Murray and Lieutenant John r. West.
Secretary Garrison and General
Wood attended dinner by the direc-
tors of the exposition company in
honor of the visitors in the red room
OF the Bohemian club last evening.
This morning at o'clock the party
will board a goverrE1rnt tug for trip
across the bay to Inspect Fort Baker
and Fort Barry, on the north penin-
snla, returning by Alcatraz, where a
stop is planned.
The party leaves for Portland and
the other fortified cities of the north
tonight.
This is the way in which Secretary
Garrison outlined his policy:
Wy trip is purely a trip of investi-
CATION. Before ] make any recommen-
dations / want to know what the de-
partment consists Of II would be folly
to say troops will be concentrated al
: such a point and a post at another
abandoned before ] have, Il working
knowledge of the whole army.
Before say that one station should
have a big appropriation end another
should have none, I want to see them.
Ny ideas today may be entirely
changed by what see tomorrow or the
next day. IT requires the findings of
the whole work for decision"