The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-06-13
Baker Expresses
Belief Post Can
Be Kept Occupied

tCOntlnucd from page One)
Quoted with an eye to both the poll
tical, military and economic situa-
tons.
Data obtained by the COMMITTEES
from Washington indicate that the
desire of the army chiefs to abandon
Fort Lincoln and numerous othe,
small posts is based partly on the fact
that the army is "%overbuilt."
A few years ago a cry went ur
against housing conditions in the
regular army and appropriations
were made and spent for new build
ings. AS a result, the army now has
buildings without troops to occupy
them. Few. if any. of the buildings
at these posts, however, are of bet
ter construction or in better condi-
ton than those at Fort Loncoln.
In Massachusetts, the war depart
ment has a new army post without
soldiers in 1t, but at Fort Benning,
Ca. officers and men still are living
in temporary buildings. according to
information obtained by the COM
mittee.
From information obtained by him
in Washington, Baker told the COM
laittee, there is no disposition on the
part of the war department to active
ly defend abandonment of Fort Lin
coin on the basis of increased military
efficiency as mentioned in press re-
ports announcing the abandonment
plan. This theory was based on the
idea that concentration Of trops in
large bodies provides better expert
ence and training. There is a large
proportion Of officers in the army
who feel that field and junior officers
and the men in the ranks receive bet
ter training when assigned to duty
In small posts than when assigned to
large ones, Baker said.
Explode Economy Claim
The committee expects to explode
the economy claim Of the war de-
partment as a reason for abandoning
Fort Lincoln by presenting evidence
to show that the buildings at the
local post are excelled by none in the
country and that approximately
$4,000 has been spent In repairs
and improvements in the last three
and q half years. In the light of
these facts, the committee said, the
war department will have difficulty
in convincing the people Of North
Dakota that the administration Is
doing anything to lower taxes by
abandoning the local military post.
The effect upon the Citizens Mil
itary Training camp activities here,
if Fort Lincoln is Abandoned, also
was stressed by the committee and
was emphasized by Baker in his con-
versation with war department chiefs.
Until it was decided to hold the camp
in June and early July, the Fort Lin
coin camp failed to reach its quota.
With the change in date. however,
the camp now is held ahead Of har-
vest time and the quota has been ex-
ceeded In each Of the last two years.
II the fort Is abandoned and the
g. M. T. camp goes into the discard
also. the effect will be to deny many
North Dakota boys q fair oportunity
to attend these camps.
Baker said the committee feels
there is enough Justification from
economic and military standpoints to
justify keeping troops at the fort and
that the committee sees no reason. at
this time. to take the matter into
politics although that possibility will
continue to exist.
Members Of the committee ex-
pressed the view that the United
States army always has been q demo-
cratic one and that the citizens OF
North Dakota who help to maintain
the nations defenseS, r entitled to
the benefits which the presence of an
army post In this state can confer
upon them.