El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-08-23

ne grown OF EorL Bliss from q
1 small one squadron cavalry post to
the proportions OF a modern CITY OF
5000 inhabitants has developed build
I ing programs and Improvement and
upkeep problems, similar to those
which confront the builders Of a mod
ern city The construction and recon
struction work now going on in the
program Of converting a regimentol
into a permanent brigade post has
called into play the exercise Of almost
every branch OF the science Of con-
struction engineering. In building
permanent housing for the units now
occupying the reservation. every mod
ern convenience for the comfort Of the
troops, and every necessary utility for
provided
A brief account Of the evolution Of
Fort Bliss from its original propor-
tons TO those now being assumed. viii
give some idea OF the magnitude Of
the changes taking place at the pres
ent time IN order 10 make equal prog
ress with the Increased demand upon
Wnal N the language OF municipalities
would be known as public utilities
Enlarged From Time to Time.
think about IS years ago that the
present location OF Fort Bliss was
purchased by the government. and
building erected sufficient 10 accomo-
date one squadron Of cavalry Since
: that time the post proper has been en-
larged TO take care OF an entire reg
iments as regiment was constituted
according to the tables OF organiza-
ton as amended from time to time.
As the science Of offensive and defen-
siFe warfare has advanced, the make
uD OF a com bat unit has changed 10
keep pace with the Improvement The
gradual increase In the size OF 3 reg
iment caused q gradual upbuilding Of
the regimental barracks and officers
quarters at Fort Bliss. all of which
are OF the most permanent type Of
constitution So that from the origi-
nal one squadron post, Fort Bliss ex-
panded n both length and depth 10
accommodate the gradually increasing
personnel OF a fun regiment as the
tables Of organizations have been
amended and troops added
During the decent trouble along the
Mexican border. when the national
guard was here. all this Of areO imme-
diately adjoining Fort Bliss was huilt
Up in a mushroom style the troops
being housed either in tents OF in
cheap wooden ShaclCs
hanEe During World War
After the national guard was re-
moved from this vicinity. It was found
necessary TO locate additional reEi-
there have been frequent changes rue
to the world war, neeessitating NOV
ing army units in and out. which has
finally resulted in there being left
here the Firth cavalry Seventh cav
airy, eznd field artillery. one battai-
lion each Of the Ninth engineers,
Eighth engineers. 18th infantry, and
Seventh field signal corps. the motor
transport group post hospital and
medical detachment, and various
ordnance. Quartermaster. construction
and utilities units
The Fifth cavalry occupies the old
permanent post The Seventh caval-
~ has been housed in temporary
wooden structures and tents. which
are now being replaced by the can
Torment type Of brick buildings This
project is now about so per cent COM
plete.
Just beyond the present location Of
the SIND field artillery another COM
plete cavalry cantonment is being
constructed suitable for one cavalry
regiment. and this will be occupied
by the SIND field artillery. This form
Of construction was adapted for the
reason that a cavalry environment can
be used by an artillery regiment, while
a cantonment constructed exclusively
for artillery cannot be used by cav
airy regiment
A total Of $500. 900 was allotted for
new work on the Seventh cavalry
cantonment, and the same amount
practically for the S2no field artil-
lery cantonment
Housing capacity Of OOOO-
It viii be seen from the foregoing
that this area has gradually grown
until its housing capacity has become
sufficient for approximately 5000 men
To keep pace with this growth has
been the necessary extension OF me
electric, water and sewage systems,
and similar extension Of roads and
grounds There has recently been eN-
pended on the reconstruction OF the