CORRESPONDENCE. 
479 
much more than half that figure. Those remounts are more 
serviceable than those supplied by the Quartermaster’s Depart¬ 
ment, at $150 each, and are at least sound. Then, even at the 
figure paid, it would mean, applied to the cavalry alone, a differ¬ 
ence of $600,000, or $150,000 per annum, as applied to “ the 
claimed” 25 per cent, condemnation list. 
The forage ration is composed of 12 lbs. of oats,- 14 lbs. of 
hay, and 3 lbs. of straw or hay (for bedding) daily; a great 
saving could be made on the grain ration, under proper veter¬ 
inary supervision. 
In a mild climate, where grazing is to be had, which is at 
all frontier posts, during inactive service, and under other con¬ 
ditions, known to the experienced army veterinarian, half the 
grain ration could be saved in many instances for many months, 
and with benefit to the animals, while in some cases the full 
ration will be always necessary. To be within the limits, we 
will say a reduction of 3 lbs. per diem for six months (180 days) 
on all public animals, 24,000 X 3 lbs. X 180 days = 12,960,000 
lbs., at I cents per lb. (which is a low figure) = $194,400 an¬ 
nually. Now, while I claim this saving can be made annually 
by a reduction of grain ration, and with benefit, this reduction 
should be made only on veterinary advice. 
Other large losses might be enumerated, viz., from the pur¬ 
chase by incompetent officers and issuance of antiquated veteri¬ 
nary medicines, etc., from foraging horses after they become 
unserviceable until the arrival of inspector on his annual visit, 
from original cost of excessive iron and freight on unwieldy 
horse shoes supplied, from loss sustained by incompetent inspec¬ 
tion of forage, etc., etc. You will naturally ask, how can this 
immense annual loss be curtailed or stopped? Make the army 
veterinarian a commissioned, responsible officer, so that he may 
have an authoritative voice in all those matters ; and at least a 
half million a year will be saved to the treasury of the country. 
Ah, but, gentlemen, this would be interfering with the sacred 
prerogative of the mighty purchasing power of the Army. We 
have labored, argued, agitated and appealed for sixteen years 
to our law-makers, receiving yearly pleasing promises, until 
protracted procrastination has made our hearts grow sick. 
When hostilities were declared against Spain, and nearly all 
of our colleagues ordered to the front, we surely thought that 
our beneficent government would give us some protective legis¬ 
lation, and several appeals were made by ns to the chairmen of 
the military committees of both Houses to provide for ourselves 
