Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-10-24
BARRACK LIFE.
The Official Report on Jefferson
Barracks
CERTAIN STORIES EXAGGERATED.
Enough, However, to Call For Reform
Enterprising "Skin Game" Ser
Reants Sent to Other
Posts.

WASHINGTON, Oct 2a-The report Of the
army court of inquiry which investigated
the charges made with regard to the treat
ment Of recruits at Jefferson Barracks,
Mo, has been laid before Secretary Proc
tor by Captain Ebstein, a member OF the
court, who came on here for that purpose.
The report consists of a voluminous
mass of testimony and a summary OF the
evidence No recommendations or opin-
Ions are contained in the report, as the
articles OF war provide that courts OF in
quiry shall not submit any opinions with
their reports unless specially ordered to
do so, and no order was made.
The testimony shows that the charges
were exaggerated, but that there was
some foundation for them. The charges
of cruelty toward enlisted men was not
proved. 1t was found that the food was
poorly cooked and badly served. The ra-
tions were ample and the supply of veg
etables abundant 1t was shown, how
ever, that too much coffee and sugar had
been saved and turned over to the COM
missary for its equivalent in money, and
that the messes had not been conducted
judiciously. There was no misappropria-
the credit of the different messes.
The charges that non commissioned
officers were taking advantage of the re-
cruits and were running games of chance,
g-ch as d-poker, uck-a-luck and the
like, and thereby getting a part of the
T-1thly pay of the men were sustained.
Only one case of what might be called
hsrsh treatment by the nom commits
4 nd 30
branch of the allegations practically fell
to the ground. The assertion that men
N-ere strung up b. their thumbs in the
guard house was disproved, although it
bad slight basis. Drunken and refrac-
tory prisoners, for their own safety and
L IT of other soldiers and of the Govern
ment property, were placed in large
cage and their wrists handcuffed on the
outside Of the bars, bl. this was neither
s.arsh nor cruel treatment and was gen.
srally necessary.
The statements Of Woodward, the Post
Dispa ca reporter, who enlisted and wrote
up the story of the treatment, were found
to lie reliable so lar rs they concerned
Batters within his knowledge. but the
stories told him by other enlisted men
could not be subsiantiated. Many of
these stories were exaggerated and
were traditions wh;cl had been handed
down for years from one recruit to an
other. The worst OF them detailed the
case of a man who had been struck
down in the guar house by a sergeant
and left to dis there without medical at
tendance. No foundation whatever could
be discovered for this story. That a feel
ing prevailed among the men that any of
them who complained to their commits
stoned officers wDu Il, in some way, suffer
for il, was found TO be undeniabie, but
could be traced TO 20 definite source, and
appeared to be simply an indeiinahle fear,
having little or no basis
The desertions from the post averaged
about 80 a year for the past three years.
This is in excess of desertions from other
posts, but Captain Ebsiein says he thinks
its tTacenble to the fact that it is in the
West near a large city; and force com
posed of cavalry recruits. 1t is not due
he is sure. either 20 food or treatment
Many men. lac says. enlist in the East foI
no other purpo-e than to get West, while
many others enter the army from q sort
of restlessneSs, or because of family
troubles. These men become weary OF
the discipline absolutely necessa- V in the
army, and it is then found some morning
that they have deserted, and the number
increases with the proI nj Y of the post
to large city where they can hide
Jefferson Barracks, Captain Ebstein
says, is particularly unfortunate in the
matter of assertions, owing to the fact
that many of the recruits are ''repeaters"
or chronic deserterS. Il i a cavalry post,
and these repeaters having already served
in the artillery or the infantry, enlist in
the cavalry, knowing that cavalry re-
cruits are sent to jefferson Barracks, and
that the probabilities are strongly against
their seeing any offic .rs there with whom
they previously served
The result of the investigation, Captain
Ehstein thinks, will be decidedly bene-
fetal, as it will result in riChting many
grievances which have gradually crept
into the service.
Colonel Bernard has been placed in
command at jefferson Barracks, and has
already taken steps to correct evils found
to exist The cooking and service of the
food has been improved, and other things
tending toincrease the comfort of the men
have been looked after.
Secretary Proctor will. in few days
order to other stations the nom commits
stoned officers who have been running
games at chance, and will take measures
to prevent such things occurring in the fu-
ture.
Speaking of the food served the enlist
cd men Captain Ebstein said that the
army had never been fed better than now.
He could speak from experience, as he
had been twenty-five years in the army
and had risen from the ranks. He did
not believe any man ever deserted be-
cause of food. The soldiers throughout
the country were better fed than the
laboriuG classes in the neighborhopd.
Panic I'm Factory.