American Notes CONGRESS

"There is something in the heart of every politician that loves a military installation," declared Texas Senator Phil Gramm about Capitol Hill's ingrained tradition of preserving obsolete forts. Thus it was truly historic last week when Congress approved a measure that could actually shut down some useless installations -- say, Fort Douglas, Utah, which was founded to guard stage-coach routes, or Fort Sheridan, Ill., which mainly protects its 18-hole golf course.

A plan devised by Texas Republican Congressman Richard Armey passes the onus to a nonpartisan Pentagon commission, which will draw up a list of unnecessary bases. To stop the closings, the legislators would have to reject the entire list and probably have to override a presidential veto. Possible savings for taxpayers: as much as $5 billion a year.