As a result of development and progression a new type of all the glasses has been obtained, having been manufactured according to suggestions from this office. Where possible the lightness of aluminum has been utilized in the cases, a stronger metal being used in the bridging and supporting parts.

The same can be said as regards telescopes. The old-fashioned brass telescope not being satisfactory, the first improvement was in the purchase of a very superior telescope, which seems to have answered all ordinary purposes. Besides this a still finer one was procured with the Brasher erecting prisms attached.

The necessary funds having been furnished by allotment, the matter of supplies was at once taken up. The demands at that time came principally from Tampa, Key West, Jacksonville, and other points where our troops were being mobilized preparatory to the advance on Cuba. The manufacturing establishments of the country met the demands thus suddenly made upon them with a promptness which was limited only by a capacity the increase of which was an impossibility.

Washington Barracks and Camp Alger being not only rendezvous, but also schools of instruction for the new officers and men added to the Signal Corps by the demands of war, had to be liberally supplied with every article needed, not only for practical instruction, but also for immediate use. At Camp Alger a complete interpostal telephone system had to be installed, requiring a large amount of material. Telegraphic communication had to be provided for, which was done.

The different camps afterwards established throughout the country had to be provided in the same manner: Camp George H. Thomas, at Chickamauga Park; Camp Meade, Pa.; Camp Cuba Libre, Jacksonville, Fla.; Camp at Tampa, Fla.; Camp Poland, Knoxville, Tenn.; Camp Shipp, Anniston, Ala.; Camp Hamilton, Lexington, Ky.; Camp Wheeler, Huntsville, Ala.; Camp Wykoff, Montauk Point, New York, as well as other minor ones.

With the acquisition of Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines, the demand for supplies became enormous as well as urgent and immediate.

At the beginning of the war the scope of the Washington or headquarters supply depot was enlarged, ultimately ending in a separate building, where a vast amount of supplies could be received and shipped. Branch depots were established in the Cheesebrough building, in New York City, and in San Francisco, and also one in Savannah, Ga., from which immediate demands could be supplied. As this will be handled more in detail hereafter, a mere reference to it is here made.

The opening of a large general hospital in Savannah called for the installation of an elaborate telephone system, which was furnished from my office. The demand for a hurried equipment at Camp Wykoff at Montauk Point, New York, called for another strenuous effort to meet the demand as far as the Signal Corps was concerned. This involved the furnishing and installation of an electric light plant, of a telephone system connecting the different important parts of the camp, of a telegraph line connecting with the Western Union, all of which involved a large amount of work, the details of which it may not be amiss to mention.

In the first place poles had to be provided for all three of the systems, the insulators, cross arms, linemen's tools and equipments, wire of different gauges, cleats for interior work, dynamos and engines, lamps, both incandescent and arc, telephones, telegraph instruments and tables, and numerous other things too many to mention. But these camps merely constituted the home demand. Beyond this was the furnishing of supplies for Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines, and to this must be added the ordinary home supplies for regular military posts and stations throughout the United States.

In Cuba, owing to the defective and obsolete character of the Spanish system of telegraph and telephone supplies, it became necessary to furnish and install entirely new systems equipped with the latest appliances, the same condition applying to Porto Rico as well as the Philippines. Not only was it necessary to furnish all technical instruments needed, but office furniture as well, and a complete supply of blanks for the purpose of transacting business in the American way. Many of the latter were in Spanish and English, the necessity for the use of the two languages being obvious.

Last year and during the present one it has become necessary to send to Alaska a complete outfit. Both Alaska and the Philippines have been furnished with a large amount of cable, from the smaller gauge of submarine to the larger deep-sea cable.

THE CABLE SHIPS.

At the beginning of the Spanish war it became necessary to fit out a vessel for the purpose of proceeding to Cuban waters and destroying cable communication between Havana and the outside world. For this purpose the Adria was procured and fitted

up as best it could be with the limited facilities on hand at that time, and placed in charge of Lieut. Col. James Allen, Signal Corps.

Later on, under your orders, the cable ship Hooker was thoroughly equipped for service in the Philippines. Water-tight cable tanks of large dimensions had to be built and strongly secured in position in the hold of this ship. These tanks were of boiler plate, built up and strongly riveted. In addition to the deep-sea and shoreend cables the Hooker carried a complete outfit of cable instruments and machinery for laying the same between the islands of the archipelago. Through the courteous cooperation of the Navy Department a complete deep-sea sounding equipment was supplied the Hooker. Unfortunately, the Hooker ran aground at Corregidor Reef, and made other arrangements necessary, which ultimately resulted in obtaining the Burnside from the Quartermaster's Department, when she, also, was furnished with a complete cable-laying outfit, and is now in Philippine waters doing efficient cable work.

THE SUPPLY-DEPOT SYSTEM.

The immense amount of work involved in furnishing these supplies made it necessary to increase and elaborate the supply system, both in material, personnel, and facilities. The Washington supply depot had added to its ordinary duties of keeping an accurate record of all receipts and shipments made at Washington, the duty of keeping records of all shipments from factories and warehouses direct to Porto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines. The character of the war, being with a nation speaking a different tongue, made necessary the purchase of a large number of technical and linguistic books. These have been kept at this depot and supplied from here. Added to this has been the care necessary in packing safely the many different kinds of delicate instruments, as well as providing the requests for transportation and keeping records of same for tracing in case of delay or loss. A thorough system of marking and directing package has been adopted by which mistake as to destination is impossible, and each package having a serial number marked plainly thereon, identification has become an easy matter. At the request of the Chief Signal Officer, the Quartermaster-General has arranged for reports from the depot quartermasters at San Francisco, Cal., and New York City, showing the number of packages, how addressed, and the serial number of each package shipped on Government transport. This arrangement for checking shipments is proving of great value in tracing stores.

The wisdom of establishing auxiliary depots at New York and Savannah has been so plainly apparent that it needs only a mention here, as both of them, by having stock on hand, were able to make immediate shipments to both Cuba and Porto Rico, and the San Francisco depot proved especially valuable in filling emergency orders from the Philippines.

CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1901, this office has completed the equipment for Alaska, as well as furnished additional supplies for the Philippines, besides the annual supplies needed for military posts. This has called for a large number of telegraphic instruments as well as implements for line building, including poles, insulators, cross-arms, etc.

Additional cable has been furnished to Alaska and the Philippines, and Manila is now thoroughly equipped with a telephone system with a central switchboard as well as a military electric-light system. The disturbance in China having reached an end, the stores diverted from Manila to equip that expedition have been returned to their original destination, excepting the comparatively small number of articles necessary for use at the legation and for local purposes.

THE PHILIPPINES.

During the past fiscal year demands for supplies from the Philippines have been larger than during the preceding year, owing to the constantly increasing extent of territory covered by telephone and telegraph lines and also to the largely increased mileage of cable that has been laid. Added to the supplies necessary for the installation of new lines, a large amount of supplies has been required for the maintenance of the old lines. A list is appended showing the quantities of some of the chief articles sent to the Philippines during the fiscal year just closed.

While with each occupation of additional territory there will be some further demands for material, the general supply depot at Manila is now well furnished with signal equipment for the current fiscal year. A complete list is too elaborate to include in this report, as it would embrace many hundreds of articles.

CUBA AND PORTO RICO.

The fact that all lines of internal communication in Cuba and Porto Rico have been turned over to the insular civil governments will decrease the demand upon the Signal Corps. The supply of signal equipment for the garrisons of regular troops in these islands will constitute the only demands for the future upon the Signal Corps.

ALASKA.

The initial installation of a complete signal service in Alaska began last year and has called for the furnishing of a large amount of supplies, including submarine cable, and this demand will continue from year to year as the mileage of telegraph lines increases, after which the needs of maintenance only, including repair, will cause the demand to diminish.

UNITED STATES.

The continuous installation of interpostal telephone systems at the more important military posts has called for many supplies in this line.

MILITARY COLLEGES.

There is an increase of interest shown by the different military colleges in this country in signaling instruction, as is manifested by the increased number of requests for supplies. These consist almost altogether of requisitions for articles needed in visual day and night signaling, such as flags, lanterns, and heliographs.

To more fully set forth the scope and extent of Signal Corps operations, a detailed statement is attached showing totals of expenditures under the several appropriations from July 1, 1898, to June 30, 1901.

During the past fiscal year there were 1,607 packages shipped from the Washington supply depot, and for the majority, boxes were made by the carpenters attached thereto. The hours of work at this depot have been regulated only by the demand for hurry, and during the intense heat of last summer they were from 7 a. m. to 5 p. m. The estimate of the clerical force required in the disbursing branch of the chief signal office for the coming fiscal year is respectfully submitted:

One principal clerk....

One money-accounts clerk

Two clerks, who are also stenographers and typewriters, at $1,200
Two clerks, at $1,000 (1 property-returns clerk; 1 invoice clerk)

Total..

This estimate provides for but two skilled accountants, viz, the money-accounts clerk and the property-returns clerk.

Two stenographers and typewriters are needed to meet the requirements of the vastly increased correspondence of this division. As typewriters these two clerks prepare all bids and specifications for the purchase under contract. The invoice clerk prepares all invoices and assists the property-returns clerk.

Under the above estimate the total cost of the administration of the disbursing office for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902, is but $7,400, and it is not believed that any reduction can be made without seriously crippling the efficiency of this office.

In conclusion I desire to earnestly bear testimony to the efficiency, intelligence, and loyalty to their work manifested at all times throughout the year by the clerical force under my charge.

These clerks are all on the temporary roll of the War Department, and by faithful work have earned some recognition. It is hoped that their transfer to the permanent rolls may be made.

In laying down the work and cares of the position of purchasing and disbursing officer, I wish to thank you for the cordial cooperation and aid which I have received at your hands. I can not but feel that those who have served under me have labored largely and intelligently with a single view of achieving quick dispatch of current public work. Very respectfully,

EUGENE O. FECHÉT,

Captain and Signal Officer, United States Army, Disbursing Officer.

List of principal articles of Signal Corps property sent to Manila by Capt. E. 0. Ferhet, Disbursing Officer, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1901.

Disbursements U. S. Signal Corps, July 1, 1898, to June 30, 1901.

REPORT OF CAPT. EDGAR RUSSEL, SIGNAL CORPS, IN CHARGE OF AUDITING DIVISION, SIGNAL OFFICE, WASHINGTON.

WAR DEPARTMENT, SIGNAL OFFICE,
Washington, July 1, 1901.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the work of examining division during the year ending June 30, 1901.

In addition to auditing the line receipts received as tolls at the various stations on military telegraph lines, there has been disbursed, mostly in small sums by 16 dis

bursing officers, the sum of $981,457.15, involving the examination of 201 accounts current and a large number of subvouchers.

Care has been taken to have all defects corrected as far as practicable before transmitting said accounts to the Treasury in order that there may be as few vouchers suspended as possible.

This phase of the work of this division has at all times been kept up to date. During the continuance of the Spanish-American war, the examination of property returns was suspended. The old work has since been done, and all the returns of officers serving in the United States, Cuba, or Porto Rico for the period ending June 30, 1901, have been examined.

Owing to the great distance and the fact that the officers were engaged in active field operations, the property returns from the Philippine Islands have been received at irregular intervals, and long after the close of the period involved. This has necessarily caused the examination of said returns to proceed more slowly as one return not on file prevents the final examination of the returns of other officers. This work has, however, been kept up as far as possible, and it is believed that the cessation of field operations and the establishment of an auditing department at Manila will soon remove all difficulties.

The bills of the Western Union Telegraph Company, the Postal Telegraph-Cable Company, and the Cuba-Submarine Telegraph Company have been examined and audited for each month as they are rendered. E. RUSSEL, Captain, Signal Corps, U. S. A.

Very respectfully,

APPENDIX No. 16.

REPORT OF CAPT. C. D. ROBERTS, SIGNAL OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS,

OFFICE OF OFFICER IN CHARGE OF
UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH LINES,
San Antonio, Tex., July 11, 1901.

SIR: In compliance with paragraph 160, Regulations for the Operation and Maintenance of United States Military Telegraph Lines, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operation of United States military telegraph lines in the Department of Texas for the year ending June 30, 1901. Having relieved Captain Perry as signal officer of the department only a few days prior to rendering this report, the data herewith are as furnished me by that officer:

FORT BLISS-EL PASO SECTION.

This line is 6 miles long, connects Fort Bliss with the city of El Paso. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war the line was transformed to telephone, but has been in operation again since April 16, 1901. The line is used only for the transmission of messages from the Western Union office at El Paso to Fort Bliss. A first-class private of the Signal Corps is the operator at the post. The line is in good condition. The total number of messages handled on line since resumption of business to June 30, 1901, was 40.

SPOFFORD JUNCTION-FORT CLARK SECTION.

This line is 9 miles long, connecting Fort Clark with the Western Union system at Spofford Junction. This line is of great military and commercial benefit, as it is the only communication between Fort Clark, there being no telegraph office in the tewn of Brackettville, situated one-fourth mile from the post. The operator at Fort Clark is a first-class private of the Signal Corps. At Spofford Junction the railroad operator transfers all business. For his services he is paid $10 per month by the Signal Corps. The line has been in operation during the entire year without interruption. Some repairs are needed, which will be made during the coming year. The total number of messages handled on this line from July 1, 1900, to June 30, 1901, was 1,161.

FORT M'INTOSH-FORT BROWN SECTION.

The line extends from Laredo (Fort McIntosh) to Brownsville (Fort Brown), following the Rio Grande, a distance of 209 miles, connecting with the Western Union Telegraph Company at the above-mentioned places. The battery of the line is