Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1883 — ARMY AND NAVY. [ARTICLE]

ARMY AND NAVY.

Reports of the Army Quartermaster and Commissary Generals. Some Points from the Reports of Heads of Naval Bureaus.» i THE ARMY. FEEDING THE BOM IB BLUE. The report of the Commissary General of the army for the fiscal year ended June 30, JBB3, shows that the total resources for that rear were $3,527,209, and the total expenditures $9,230,308, leaving a balance or $700,001. she additional 2 per cent, on cost Is still tharged on all sales to officers and enlisted ten (except sales of tobacco to the laUer), in kccordance with the decision of the Secretary »f War. The clause requiring the extra Sharge was omitted from the Appropriation bill for the year ending Jnne 80, 1884. During th* year 118 newspaper advertisements and 87 iL-culars for proposals were reported and 2,317 contracts made. The average contract price per pound for fresh beef for the year 1883 was 10.11 cents per pound, ind for 1884 10.01 cents. The losses in the transportation of subsistence stores, for which no one was found -esponsible, during the year amounted to 113,350. The total losses by storms, fire, iccldents aud theftswere $2,223, The subiistence stores condemned during the year -Involve a net loss of $14,081. Attention Is nvited to the necessity of providing good x>oks and bakers for the army. - f TRANSPORT ATI ON, ETC. The report of the Quartermaster General of the Army shows that the total resources were $15,051,856, the expenditures $13,756,577. The ■construction of ninety new buildings, such as barracks, quarters, stables, storehouses, guardhouses, etc., have been authorized at »n estimated cost of $147,178. Repairs to existing buildings have been authorized at an Estimated cost of $125,599. An appropriation i>f $125,000 is urged to replace the building used as a recruiting-depot and training-school for recruits at David’s Island, N. Y. The expenses for transportation amounted to $2,149,051. The expenses of military transportation not paid out of the regular appropriation comprised that provided over bonded Pacific railroads, $845,144, which is credited on the debts of these railroads, and that provided over land-grant railroads, to which 50 per cent, of tariff rates is paid under act of Congress of June 30, 1882, making a special appropriation of $125,000 for that purpose. The unsettled accounts of the Union Pacific, Kansas Pacific, Central Pacific, and Sioux City and Pacific roads amount to $1,508,165. The earnings of these railroads on account .of military transportation from their first opening to June 80, 1888, amount to $13,251,107. Special attention 'is palled to the debts of the Southern railroad companies to the United States-for purchase of railway material In 1865 and 1866. The report says that of fifty railroads so indebted the accounts of forty-six have been closed and settled. The four railroads still in debt to the United States have made no cash payments for several years, and the Indications are that the present unsettled and unsatisfactory condition of affairs will continue indefinitely until Congress shall Interpose. It Is recommended that the Quartermaster General’s office be relieved of this entire business. ordnance. The report of the Chief of Ordnance shows that 33,621 arms were manufactured at the National armory during the year. Contracts have been made for converting fifty ten-inch Rodmans into eight-inch rifles and making four large breach-loading rifles. It has been found that steel hoops for banded guns manufactured In this country are fully equal la quality to the best hoops of European manufacture. It is recommended that the convereon of ten-inch smooth-bores Into eight-inch rifles be continued, that over 300 fifteen-inch smooth-bores be improved so the heaviest charges may be used, and that Congress encourage tbe formation of volunteer organizations in every State, district and city by making liberal appropriations for arming the came.