San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-29
A MERIToRIoUS PROJECT

A plan long held in mind by army Oh
ficers of high rank has taken definite form
with the action of Secretary of War
Weeks in requesting Congress to approP-
rate 100000 for CONSTRUCTION" at Fort
Sam Houston. AS has been explained
in the news columns, the money would 60
for the erection of permanent buildings to
displace the temporary ones IN that part
of the post which was until recently
known officially as Camp Travis. DOUBT
less the consolidation of Camp Travis with
Fort Sam Houston was preliminary to the
move for the appropriation now sought
As long as the old name, Camp travis
was retained, the idea OF spending more
money there might not have appealed TO
some members of Congress. Indeed the
retention of the name might logically have
been regarded as an indication that the
military authorities saw no need for the
enlargement of Fort Sam Houston, which
is associated in the minds of all the law
makers with permanency. There is some
thing in a name under such circumstances
as army officers have had to consider IN
planning for the future of the country's
military establishment here.
But though the changing Of the camps
name may have favorable psychological
effect, there was no reprehensible trick
about it. AS matter of fact the perma-
nent post here is inadequate for the pur-
poses which all of the countrys military
experts say must be served. SO Tar as
the serving of those purposes is concerned,
it would make no difference, after the req
uisite facilities had actually been installed,
whether the entire establishment be given
one name or another But to serve them
properly, or at all, the permanent estab-
lishment must be enlarged and the whole
conducted as unit. So, the passing of the
name Scamp Travis" might have been eX-
pected even though the money for the en-
lareing of the permanent military cstab-
lishment here were already available. If
the changing of the name should help to-
ward the obtaining of such funds, no criti-
cism could Justly be directed by members
of Congress or by anybody else, at the
military officials who may have had IN
mind the possible psychological effect of
wipinp, the temporary camp, nonlnally,
out of existence before asking for money
with which to enlarge the permanent post.
Concerning the need for the proposed
enlargement, members of Congress not
conversant with military affairs have to
depend upon the counsel of those who
are If they should be unwilling to trust
the Judgment of such military experts as
General Pershing and Major Generals
Harbord, Hines and Lewis, they could not
consistently have any faith whatever in
Americas military system. Not only the
officers mentioned, but all others who
have had any connection with either
Camp Travis or Fort Sam Houston, it
NAV safely be said, are in favor Of this en-
largement project.
Therefore, no member of Congress can
cry pork barrel" without displaying his
ignorance and making himself laugh
ing-stock. Whatever considerations any
resident Of San Antonio might have in APP
plauding Mr.. Weeks request for an APP
propriation of 100000 for the construc-
ton of permanent buildings to displace
the old cantonment shacks on the site
formerly known as Camp Travis, members
of Congress may rest assured that the
secretary Of war had in mind nothing less
admirable than the safeguarding of the
national welfare. And that this end would
be served by the granting of the request
cannot be questioned without placing an
extremely low appraisal upon the judg-
menu or the men who occupy the highest
positions in the United States army.