Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1895 — LAMONT’S REPORT. [ARTICLE]

LAMONT’S REPORT.

Some Changes Recommended —Matters Are Generally :■ ntisfactory. In his annual report Secretary Lament shows the effective strength of the army to be 20,584 of all arms. The new law regulating enlistments has greatly improved the personnel of the army, and has not impeded required enlistments. Of 7,780 men recruited during the year 5,518 were native born. strictness of the examinations, physical, mental and moral, may be measured from the fact that 38,249 applicants were rejected. The addition of two companies to each of tw r enty-flve infantry regiments, and two foot batteries to each of five artillery regiments is recommended. Four companies is the size command recommended for one officer’s control. Increase from 800 to 2,000 yards in effectiveness of small arms is noted. The battalion organization of State militia is commended. For the contemplated increase in force $1,200,000 will be required annually. Over $5,000,000 reduction of expense for regular force, per year, has been effected. It is said the staff force of officers is too great, nearly one-third of the $5,069,570 of salaries going to this class. The present chiefs of bureaus in the organization of the army are pfonounced capable and efficient men, in every way worthy of the responsible places they occupy and zealous in the

faithful performance of duty. Bat a plan to insure retirement after a term of years, and promotion of next in rank, lk recommended. The relations between regular army and State militia are most gratifying. At need, over 100,900 volunteers. equipped for active duty in the highest sense, could be placed in the field within forty-eight hours. Considerable space is filled by the Secretary in considering the questions of seacoast defenses, dynamite guns, etc., and river and harbor improvements and numerous other subjects are considered.

SECRETARY HERBERT’S DESIRE. Two More Battleship* and Twelve Torpedo Boats Recommended. Secretary Herbert, in his annual report, shows the progress made during the year in the construction of Government cruisers, and speaks in high praise of the workmanship on the new navy. He also outlines the work under contract, and says: “An inspection of the relative strength of navies will furnish, it is believed, all the argument now needed for the continuation of the building program heretofore indicated by the action of Congress. We are not in want of ordinary unarmored cruisers or of gunboats, but we are lamentably deficient in torpedoboats, and we certainly need more battleships. An inspection of the building programs of other nations will demonstrate that the lessons taught at Yalu and Wei Hal Wei have tended to confirm the belief Vis natal experts throughout the world m the efficacy of these two classes of vessels. “I respectfully recommend the construction of two battleships and at least twelve torpedoboats. The gratifying progress made by our manufacturers of steel and our shipbuilders and the competition among them has enabled the department during thalast two years to contract for gunboats and torpedoboats at a very large reduction from former prices. The price per ton for the gunboats Macliias and Cnstiue, contracted for in April, 1890. was $302.86, the average price of the three gunboats contracted for in January, 1594, and of the six others just let out to contract is $222.84 per ton, a saving of $50.52 per toil, or 26 per cent, of tho price of the ships. The price of the Ericsson, contracted for in Octo-

her, 1891, was $945.83 per ton. The average price of the six torpedoboats contracted for in 1895 is $706.58 per ton, a reduction of $179.25 per ton, or of about 20 per cent, in the price of the boats. These prices compare very favorably with the prices for similar work done abroad.” * Secretary Herbert devotes considerable space to Consideration of armor plates, ordnance, projectiles, submarine boars, automobile torpedoes, etc., nn*d to improvements in the business methods of the department.