Show j tf TT kiy secretary taft wants appropriation of five and a half million for coast artillery service increase in coast art alery V II 11 necess tate the expend ture of enormous sums by the government in brov d ng quarters for the men washington the annual report of secretary tatt to be submitted to congress at its convening in decem ber will contain estimates ag gregat ing 5 for construction and other work in the coast artillery ser vice during the fiscal year 1909 this construction work is to provide in part for shelter for the coast artillery troops authorized by the act of janu ary 25 last for which it Is necessary to erect thirty company barracks six band barracks set of officers and sets of commissioned noncommissioned non staff officers quarters by the legis of the last congress the coast artillery received an increase of forty four companies with a corresponding number of officers in accordance with the decision of secretary taft last no vember a concentration scheme is being worked out in the coast artillery service by which some of the seventy eight separate forts where modern ar tillery coast defenses are installed or in progress of installation are to be completely manned and the remainder placed in the hands of caretakers the posts at which work is to be done and tor which appropriations will be asked include the following amounts asked for being given in round numbers baker california stevens oregon winfield scott california and ward washington |