Weekly journal-miner., 1918-01-09
Long Fight is Won.

tive military purposes. The final and definite move follows the arrival yes terday afternoon from Fort Sam Houston, at San Antonio, Texas, of Captain H. Hannah, attached to the Sixth cavalry, who has been ordered to assume charge as quartermaster. This genial officer was free to start immediately after reaching Prescott what military plans were definitely de- cidcd upon, and which will be learned of in this civil community with ex. prcssions of decided pleasure.
 Captain Hannah stated Fort Whip pie will be garrisoned by a battalion numbering approximately 600 enlist cd men, One of the four units will be composed of a machine gun com pany and the other three of the in fantry arm. This command Is to be used for home defense purposes sole ly, and no oversca duty Is 10 be given. Enlistmcnts will be of the volunteer character, and those to qualify for service will be above the conscrip- ton class of 3l years and under 45 years, the latter age being the maxi mum by which drafting can be resort ed to under the federal laws. Rules of enlistment in this command, which is to he designated as the Sixteenth battalion, will be as strictly observed as to physical and other qualifica- tions IS have prevailed during the en- forcing of the drafting law. Captain Hannah also stated this command will be part of the unit of 25,OO0 men 10 be brought into service and be subject to duty anywhere in the na- tion and for whatever uses the war department deems cNpcdient.
 The Final Action.
 While it is true Whipplc has by rumor at different periods during the past eight months been time and again designated for various military uses, from a detention camp for alieh enemies to base hospital and supply depot for troops on the border, 1t was in appreciation of its attractive loca- tion, its excellent quarters for officers and men, its ideal climate, its pure water supply, its convenient location for srragetic purposes to the Ncxl- can border, and its fine target range near the post, that prompted the war department to utilize 1t for practical military purposes.
 Whipple's Friends.
 The favorable action definitely de- cidcd upon to restore one of the his torical posts of the West, had many military men of prominence 10 sup port each an devery claim presented. Scores of officers in the past have repeatedly and ardently endorsed its rehabilitation, and it was only few days ago tha, K. \. Fredcricks receiv- ed official adviccs from Secretary of War Baker at Washington which said briefly and enphatically; "Whipple Is to be occupied in d very short time for military uscs.'
 It is rresumcd that the war depart ment considered every phase ot the Whipple situation, in fact, ii Is stated, each and every claim was fully and ably presented, when the practical military man rcigncd supreme ln which health and vigor were the con vincing features to win back this of ficial considerations Another argu- mcnt of no less important considera- ton was the gratitude extended thls military center by the generous and winning official action of Prescott many years ago, in Outlaying over S3OO,O0O in bringing water supply 10 the post from Del Rio springs, 25 miles north of the city, after an analy- sis made of the flow by govern mcnt chemists, who pronounced this article as the purest in the nation .Amalgamating all interests, m which the civil and the military acqulcsccd, and the pcIsistcncy Of appeals oi scores of officers of high rang iami- liar with Whipplc in its every feature the curtain al last drops to give back the old flavor of military center around which there clusters fond re- mcmbrance of again being useful tc serve any purpose which may face il in the future
 Permanent Garrison.
 Captain Hannah is 10 remain al Whippic, and his duties will be tc pave the way for immediate rchabili tation. His duties as quartermastei are 10 be assumed today. Officers o' the line, numbering $ or more, ar rive next week, when future dcsigna tions in command are to be made When the battalion quota Is filled tC its requirements, there will be ap proNimatcly 3O commissioned officer: on duty. Civilian employees in dit fcrcnt capacities and other acccssor ics, will give 10 Whipple of today . flavor not known since ii was ar active military center when hcadquar q, TN.r.-tr,a..sf ,F Atsx,r-