The Washington times., 1916-04-17

This Illuminating statement In made
by Congressman Swagar Sherley, who
is chairman of the Appropriations
subcommittee that has prepared the
fortincations appropriation bill.
1t may seem a curiously inappro-
pirate arrangement by which the
Committee on Appropriations prepares
the fortifcations bill.
II would appear more logical IL
committee dealing specifically with
military aspects and presumed to be
somewhat expert in that direction
| were TO handle such q measure But,
from time almost imme:norial, this
measure has had its origin In the
| Appropriations Committee.
This arrangement has been criti-
ciscd a good many times The Appro-
priations Committee prepares tho
fortlIications bill. the Naval Affairs
Committee prepares The naval Dill
and the Military Affairs Committee
writes the army bill. Whatever meas
ure OF coordination and cooperation
lis effected. among these three
branches of the rational defense
scheme, must be voluntary so far as
| the committees are concerned.
There has been proposal latteriy
| that some scheme OF cooperation anh
coordination he devised. by which
| the army, the navy. end the fortifica-
tions might more effectively he uni
| fed as parts of a great and har-
tuonioua whole. Thus far however.
| Congress has not seen mt to bother
about such suggestions.
Fortifications Bill.
The fortihcations bill this year ap-
| propriates nearly 81. 600 900 for current
fortification expenses. and in addition
thereto authorizes contracts aggregat-
ing Sl2. 90 900. Thus a total OF S4.97.OOo
ts accounted for.
| three times as much as was appro.
pTisted for fortihcations at the last
session Of Congress. indicating a very
legitimate response to the demand lot
better protection.
over military appropriations is further
Illustrated BY the fact that the fort'hca-
tions bill has nothing to do with the
fertilization OF the Panama Canal Zone.
Speaking in a large. strateSic way. no
part of the coast fortihcations OF the
country Is more important than those
protecting the canal. Yet. the canal
fortihcations are provided for In the
sundry civil bill In order that every
thing concerning the canal be con-
solidated into a single measure.
On the other hand. the fortifcations
. bill deals not only With seacoast de.
mobile artillery and its ammunition fol-
! the regular and volunteer army of the
United States. but not for the militia
: These provisions as to the militia are
made In the army appropriation bill.
Sherley's Lecture.
} In the past, Mr.. Sherley explains. the
fortihcations hill also provided for the
creation OF Government arSenals and
, their maintenance. More recently
} however, the arsenals have been por'
vided for In the sundry civil OIL; ex'
cept as TO the purchase or machiner)
, used In connection with the Government
: manufacture of material provided Tor II
Z the fortihcations bill.
. In reporting tho fortihcations Dill thii
year. Mr.. Sherley read an interesting
lecture on the subject OF national pro
lection.
"It is the popular belief he says
/ that our fortifications are designed IL
| protect all tho shores of continental
United States and the insular posses
/ sions from invasion, and that they arr
j adequate only to the extent that thel
would prevent such invasion. No great
: er misconception could lie had. Th'
author OF this report is unaware OF an!
= responsible military authority eve
> suggesting such purpose. Certalnly
I the cost of such numerous foruncation
d TO accomplish such purpose Would o.
i. est of all nations.
But Though this Is known by all stu
4 dents OF the subject, criticism is con
I tinually aimed at our system OF fortin
r cations. because of the absurd assump
|, tion that they should accomplish tn
- impossible. while many. properN pe
:, liaving that our fcrtifcations are ex
= cellent, but with the same mistake
view as to their purpose. fail to appre
u ciatc the needs for other means OF de
q fense."
a Their Real Purpose.
At this point. Mr.. sherley proceed
to explair the real purpose OF fortif
"a cations. to prevent bombardments q
y cities, to protect navy yards and arse
nails, to keep the enemy out of our hai
y ho-s and to protect those harbors fc
- the usS os our own fleet. He contlnuei
"Of necessity many coast towns Woul
, have to be left to such defense, whei
!; the damage that might he done In u
/ event of sea control being lost. woul
be deplors BILE but would not readily in
pair the nations well-being or resis
ing power
" "Fortifications are deemed sufficleI
D. when they serve these. purposes, an
II the prevention OF invasion then b.
~ comes the duty OF the mobile arm
They are means sufficiently strong
* they compel the enemy to land In ord'
In to effec. their capture.
B. "Prior to the civil war. our Goa
I'd defenses were equal to those OF ar
. country but shortly thereafter, vii
g. the Introduction OF rifle cannon al
t. armor. they became obsolete.
rs Twenty-seven Forts.
ly During Mr.. Clevelands first ter
Is Congress provided that the Presldel
m pc should appoint board to report
Il. general scheme of coast fortificatiol
IL adapted to modern conditions Th
- body was popularity known a. the End
cott board. and after careful study