FIELD ARTILLERY BARRACKS. The number of field artillery barracks now on hand as given in list is 28. There are 33 batteries of field artillery permanently stationed in the United States, including those temporarily absent in Cuba, so that 5 additional barracks are required. In this connection attention is invited to the following table: D(L) Light batteries; (H) horse batteries; (M) Mountain batteries. 162322 6 6:62322 162322 80 66 5 21 21 21 Proposed permanent distribution of Field Artillery-Continued. ACCOMMODATIONS REQUIRED. a (L) Light batteries; (H) horse batteries; (M) Mountain batteries. NOTE. The numbers shown above in bold face in the first three columns under the heading "Accommodations needed" are the numbers of officers of the several grades, which, it has been assumed, will be absent from their organizations on detached service. The total authorized number of field artillery officers is 246; the authorized compiement for the organization carried above as on foreign service is 36; the number assumed on detached service is 24, so that quarters for 186 officers are needed in the United States. 108 sets of officers' quarters are now provided at the stations above mentioned, so that 78 sets remain to be constructed. O. C. A., January 24, 1907. Approved. WM. H. TAFT, Secretary of War. COAST ARTILLERY BARRACKS. The table shows that there are now on hand 136 barracks for coast artillery companies. From this number there must be deducted the following for reasons stated: Gaines, Fla., to be discontinued as a station for Coast Artillery.. Jackson Barracks, La., to be discontinued as station for Coast Artillery. Total..... 1233 9 This leaves available 127 coast artillery barracks (including the 17 under construction and to be provided for from current years appropriation) for the 166 companies to be stationed permanently in the United States, Hawaii, and Cuba, which is 39 less than the 166 companies of Coast Artillery authorized, assuming that 4 companies will be stationed in the Philippines. INFANTRY BARRACKS. The total number of barracks on hand as shown in table is 290. From this must be deducted, for reasons stated, the following: Alcatraz, Cal., discontinued as infantry post.. Assinniboine, Mont., post abandoned.. McDowell, Cal., to be vacated as infantry post. Total.... 4 4 4 44 16 This reduces the number of barracks available for infantry to 274, which is 22 more than would be required for the 21 regiments of infantry permanently stationed in the United States, including the troops temporarily absent in Cuba. . In this connection attention is invited to the following memorandum from the Chief of Staff: MEMORANDUM FOR THE QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL. WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF, A proposition is now under consideration looking to a reduction of the number of regiments in the Philippine Islands by sending a smaller number there filled up to greater strength. Something of this kind will be essential unless the Army is increased, as there are not sufficient regiments now in the Army to keep up the service efficiently on the present plan. Even if this plan does not eventuate, at least one regiment of infantry, if not two, will be withdrawn from the Philippines now that all disturbance has ceased there. Therefore all the infantry quarters and barracks which now exist will be needed in the near future for the infantry now in the Army. Many of the quarters now occupied in the Philippines were constructed very cheaply of nipa, with thatched roofs. Such quarters are not calculated to last more than a few years, are temporary in nature, and cost very little. It is not desirable under the circumstances to reconstruct quarters of such temporary character in the Philippines. The commanding general in the Philippines reports that some of these quarters have already become almost uninhabitable and must be reconstructed or permanent provisions made for troops elsewhere. The Secretary of War has not yet definitely decided what shall be done, but there is no question that all the quarters for infantry we now possess will be needed, and that additional quarters for cavalry and Field Artillery will be required. ENGINEER BARRACKS. J. F. BELL, Major-General, Chief of Staff. The table shows 9 barracks for engineers now on hand at posts in the United States. This is 1 less than the 10 companies of engineers stationed permanently in the United States. SIGNAL CORPS BARRACKS. The table shows 8 barracks on hand in the United States for signal corps companies. From this must be deducted the following, for reasons stated: Benicia Barracks, Cal., to be turned over to the Ordnance Department............. 2 This leaves only 6 barracks available for the 9 signal corps companies permanently stationed in the United States. RECAPITULATION. From the foregoing it appears that for the Army at its present strength and as now organized and distributed there will be a shortage of barrack accommodations for troops permanently stationed in the United States and Hawaiian Islands, as follows: The capacity of barracks is as follows: For cavalry and infantry.-Barracks at old posts vary in capacity from 65 to 100 men per company. Those built within the last five or six years will accommodate readily companies of 85 men and can, without discomfort, provide for companies of 100 men each. For Field Artillery.-Barracks erected for field artillery at Fort Riley accommodate companies of 160 men each; those at Leavenworth, Kans., 134 men each. As a rule, field artillery barracks at other posts have been built for 120 men, but on account of an increase in size of companies those now under construction are made for companies of 133 men each. Barracks for engineer troops and Signal Corps accommodate, as a rule, companies of 104 men each. Generally the supply of quarters, storehouses, etc., at posts is adequate for the needs of the garrison thereat. There are, however, many exceptions to this rule. This applies especially to the matter of quarters for officers, noncommissioned staff officers, and civilian employees. In recent construction the number of officers' quarters provided had in view the fact that on an average from 20 to 25 per cent of officers belonging to a command were permanently absent from their stations on detached duties of various kinds. But this proportion does not always hold good, and it is found that at many of the larger posts there is a shortage of quarters for officers, which is being provided for as funds become available. There is throughout the posts in the United States a very great shortage of accommodations for noncommissioned staff and other noncommissioned officers of grade entitling them to separate quarters. This applies especially to coast artillery posts, where practically nothing has yet been done to provide accommodations for the large number of noncommissioned staff officers and other enlisted men added to the service by the Coast and Field Artillery increase. This shortage is covered in great part by estimates for the Sea Coast Artillery service submitted for 1909, as explained in detail in the pamphlet compiled by the Chief of Artillery. There is a growing demand at many posts for quarters for civilian employees connected in various capacities with the military service, such as clerks, engineers, electricians, plumbers, tinners, carpenters, watchmen, firemen, teamsters, etc. The nature of the work required of these men demands their presence at or near the post. Frequently posts are so situated that it is impossible for these employees to secure shelter or lodging near enough to enable them to perform the service expected and required of them satisfactorily. This applies to nearly all men of the classes above mentioned, but especially to engineers and electricians in charge of power plants, pumping stations, etc., where it is imperatively necessary that the men be at hand and available for duty at any hour of the day or night. QUARTERMASTER GENERAL'S OFFICE, January 29, 1908. MILITARY POST EXCHANGES. The CHAIRMAN. The next item is military post exchange. I understand that you will put in the full details of this item. What is the object of asking for an increase in this appropriation; is it with the idea of completing the system during the fiscal year 1909? General ALESHIRE. The analysis of the estimate will show you the uses to which we expect to put the appropriation requested. Item 97.-Construction of suitable buildings at military posts and stations for the conduct of the post exchanges, school, library, reading, lunch, amusement rooms, and gymnasiums. Item 98.-Equipment of same. Item 99.-Maintenance of same. For the whole... $525,000 There are at this time still 24 garrisoned posts in the United States where no permanent provision has been made for post exchanges and gymnasiums. It is likely that 6 of these will be provided for from current year's appropriations. There are, however, a number of posts where the facilities in this direction first provided are totally inadequate to the needs of the garrisons. This is due to the fact that when this work was first begun it was thought preferable to make the money go as far as possible and provide some sort of accommodation at as many posts as could be reached, having in view subsequent enlargements, extensions, and additions, as more funds became available. For example, at some posts where they had improvised temporary post exchanges we first provided gymnasiums only, leaving the post exchanges to be built afterwards, at others post exchanges only were constructed, leaving gymnasiums to be furnished later. The estimate submitted is intended to provide: 1. For post exchanges and gymnasiums at posts not yet furnished with them. 2. To enlarge and add to those already provided, which are wholly inadequate for the needs of the present garrisons. 3. To provide for repairs to and renewals of gymnastic apparatus, bowling alleys, etc., which, with the constant use to which they are subjected, wear out very rapidly. 4. To provide for post exchanges and their equipment and repair in the Philippine Islands. The following is a detailed statement of funds required in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1909, for construction, repairs, maintenance and repair of equipments of military post exchanges, and forming a basis for estimate submitted herewith under this item: 1. For post exchanges and gymnasiums at posts not yet furnished with them: Sill, Okla.-Post exchange, gymnasium, and bowling alleys.. 26138-08-13 Porter, N. Y.-Gymnasium and bowling alleys.. Fremont, S. C.-Post exchange with bowling alleys.. Boise Barracks, Idaho.—Post exchange and gymnasium complete... $32, 500 4, 500 32,500 17,300 37,500 40,000 7,500 25,000 37, 500 27,500 $261, 800 |