Show S Fort Jort Douglas T IS doubtful if our local I- I civic organizations ing hn haying I IT the guarding of the tho city's interests as one of their objects are arc solicitous enough respecting the tho future of A few tho most strenuous efforts efforts ef efforts ef- ef Fort Fore Douglas years ago forts were put forth by the Commercial club which were seconded by the city and county commissions to prevail pre to enlarge the garrison into upon the war ar department a brigade post All of the objections then raised by showing made by the tho club through a n special committee showing made maJe by the club through a 1 special l committee e I which in connection with United States State army officers I then stationed at the post post Captain Captain Harker and Major aj r i Uline Uline oLed devoted many months to a careful survey of the tho subject A. A F. F Doremus former city and state engineer I Imade made a report on tho the water supply of Red fled Butte canyon estimates with computations and contractors' contractors showing maps that properly impounded in a n reservoir reservoir of suf sufficient sufficient suf- suf I dimensions in the canyon the supply was sufficient dent for the culinary and domestic needs of a population population population lation of The objection that a reservation of only four square miles was not sufficient in which to maneuver a brigade bri- bri pado gade was met by tile the statement that it was ample for all garrison carrison and parade purposes and that the maneu maneuvering manonI manon I vering could be bo done aone on other lands not remotely die dis distant die die- tant included in the public domn domain n. n Secretary of War ar Garrison ison was entertained at a smart breakfast tendered bi him by the Commercial club at which Senator Smoot and other notables were present and the suggestions for proposed improvements to the fort tentatively laid before him a aThe I The movement did not nob result in in the tho eS establishment o othe of I Ithe but it had its effect in m preventing pre pre- the co cot coveted t d brigade post pre pre-j venting the tho abandonment of the post altogether which had b been n scheduled to take place under mider the tho plea mn made mado e efrom from Washington of th the i need for further economy and concentration of troops in large units ne near r the thc seacoasts that the war came on and the military r reservation reserva cr a tion Lion was completely utilized for a variety of purposes purpose housing of regulars in the permanent barracks a cantonment cantonment can enn- of temporary wooden structures for recruits a prison compound for enemy aliens an and almost every overy inch of ground tramped over o by the troops in in training At one time in the preparation more moro than persons were quartered on the reservation without elbowing each other to any appreciable able c. c extent ent and allowing tenting space Paco and parade grounds for the Field artillery which was camped there awaiting debarkation debarkation- orders Is it not an opportune time now to agitate the subject sub not of building a brigade post because the tho edict has hns gone forth that zio no expenditures for improvement of military posts shall be made this year owing to economic necessity but of securing a full regiment of regular troops troops- for permanent garrison hero It is is not nota a a. pleasant prospect to contemplate that beautiful Fort Douglas shall be devoted all its days to only a a. prison compound taking in perhaps the overflow of Fort Lear Lea ellworth There ought to be a brighter outlook for Fort Douglas The people of Salt Lake City have a 1 traditional traditional traditional regard for the historic post which for f fifty eight years has been a 1 vital part of the tho city's physical physic l anat anat- omy ouy To lose it would be like severing an arm from the body To maintain only a prison there is permitting the arm to atrophy |