San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-25
ASK CONGRESS
FOR 100000
FOR ARMY HERE
Appropriation Would En-
able Construction Of
Permanent Buildings.
GENERALS BEHIND MOVE
Leading Army Men Favor
Elimination Of Frame
Structures at Post.

The long laid plans OF General Perish
ing, Maj. Gen. J. G. Hartford, Maj. Gen.
John L. Hines and Maj. Gen. z. NJ.
Lewis to do away with the temporary
shacks in which the greater. paft of the
Second Division is housed in the can
Torment garrison of Fort Sam Houston,
and erect permanent barracks in their
place developed to the point where,
| Wednesday a congressional appropria-
ton of 100000 was asked by Secre-
tary of War Weeks for that purpose.
The request was filed with the Senate
appropriation subcommittee Wednes-
day, and no report has been returned.
1t was stated that the appropriation
for construction at Fort Sam Houston
was for work already begun. This state
ment had reference to the consolidation
of Camp Travis and Fort Sam Hous-
ton.
1t has been the expressed hope of
General Pershing, General Hartford,
General Hines and General Lewis that
the environment garrison of Fort Sem
Houston. formerly Camp Travis, be
completely obliterated and permanent
brick barracks erected. Enough of
these brick structures, it is hoped, will
be put up to house full division of
infantry, thereby materially increasing
the size of Fort Sam Houston on a
permanent status.
Barracks Are Deteriorating.
The temporary barracks built for war
purposes at Camp Travis are fast pass
ing out of usefulness.
They were constructed for four years
use only, and having now passed that
limit constant repairs are necessary.
Army officials state that this work will
be necessary as long as soldiers are
maintained in the cantonment garrison,
and that the construction of permanent
brick barracks will in the long run be
an economy rs well as an improvement
in comfort and appearance.
Garry Out Generals Idea.
General Pershings idea of permanent
barracks in the cantonment garrison
calls for an uninterrupted extension
from the old Fort Sam Houston line.
Whether the appropriation of 5000, 900,
asked by Secretary Weeks is the first
for the purpose Of erecting barracks in
line with General Pershing's idea is not
known. General Hartford and General
Hines, former commander of the
Eighth Corps Area, and deputy chief
of staff at Washington. expressed
similar desire. General Lewis. COM
mander of the Eighth Corps Area, and
under whose administration the con-
solidation of Fort Sam Houston and
lamp Travis was effected, also fayors
the permanent construction policy.
Other Appropriations Asked.
Secretary Weeks also asked n num-
Der of items for army work in the
Hawaiian Islands and at other posts,
including 100000 at Fort Myer. Va.
The Hawaiian Islands requests in
clude S21S,S65 for facilities for storage
of fuel oil. gasoline, etc, at the military.
posts: $210,500 for searchlights and
land for defenses; S162,0 900 for con-
struction of eighteen standard store
houses; $4,000 for one shop for care
and preservation of ordnance material I;
$S5.625 for five shops for storage Of
engineers material and S57 900 for
completion of ordnance storehouse area.
Other items requested by the secre-
tary include $5SS.002 for construction of
secondary storage plants in the PanaJ
ma Canal zone: 100000 for installa-
ton and replacement Of the electric light
and power plant at the defense of the
Philippine Islands: $4,000 for the in
stallation of heating system and
$4,000 for construction Of a hospital
at Fort Benning, Georgia: $4,000 for
barracks at Langley Field. Virginia !;
S55.000 Tor officers quarters at Camp
Vail, New Jersey.