The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-09
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES,
Review at the Preside in
Honor of a German
Officer.
CAPTAIN ALBRIGHT HEEsE.
The Canteen System Works Well.
New Captain for the
Monterey.

Since the coast and defense ship Monte
rev arrived in port from the south, Captain
Higginson has been ordered on detached
duty and Captain Theodore f. Kane
placed in command of the vessel
The naval vessels now at Mare Island
are the Philadelphia, Monterey, Mohican
and Thetis.
Pay Director Caspar Schenck, U. s. N,
who served for so many years in San Fran
cisco, is now on duty in Washington, D. G.
Pay Director Williams, who succeeded Mr..
Schenck, is on duty at New London, Conn.
Pay Director John S. Cunningham, who
was Mr. Schencks predecessor. died some
years ago, and ex-Pay Inspector Spau-
ding, who had charge of the purchas-
ing office in San Francisco when improper
certificates of Indebtedness were issued, is
now resident of Honolulu.
The canteen at the Preside reservation
is now established in the dwelling for
merIy occupied by the post trader. The
accommodations are not such as should be
afforded, but more spacious quarters will
be supplied when the new double brick
barrack buildings are completed.
The canteen system, which is in one
sense a post club for the enlisted men, has
fulfilled the expectation of the promoters.
The Preside canteen has yielded in one
month to the amount of $500, but it does
not by any means make as high return
as that every month. The profit is di-
vided equally among the companies sta
toned at the post. The chief profit is de-
rived from the sale of beer and cigars,
although the pie and sandwich counter is
more than self-sustainlng.
Since the fire of last June, which de-
stroyed the old canteen building, there
have been no billiard tables in use. There
is no profit in card playing as milling is
not permitted, but the soldiers do play for
the drinks occasionally.
The life of the soldier at the Preside is
not one of hardship. In many respects
the enlisted man fares better than the
average of his fellow-men in civil life.
Aside from his regular pay, rations and
clothing allowance he IS cared for without
expense in the event of sickness or acct
dent. Wher away on furlough he gets
credit of 25 cents a day for his ration. If
he is careful he can save something from
his clothing allowance. The privileges of
the post library are always available. He
has access therefore to the leading dailies,
the high-class magazines and books OF
travel and fiction.
Under existing regulations man can
not be enlisted in the United States army
unless he is an American citizen and he
must be able also to read and write the
English language.
The exam ination in heavy artillery prac-
tice has just been concluded at the Pre-
sidio. Five frst-class and ten second-class
medals may be awarded to each company,
but in order to acquire a first-class medal
than 10 att ofy hal
examination is not made in firing at tar
gets, but the candidates are examined in
theory and mathematics. Questions are
propounded relating to the speed OF the
projectile, the force of the wind and the
distance that vessel would move during
the flight of the projectile.
The batteries of the Fifth Artillery sta
toned at the Preside are A, FL, K and L.
AT Fort Candy there are two batteries of
this regiment, and also two at AlcatraZ
There is one at Fort Mason and one at
Fort Monroe.
There was review of all the troops at
the Preside last Saturday in honor of
German Artillery. The Captain belongs
to the Artillery of the Guard. His regi-
ment is stationed at Spandau, near Ber-
lin, where the great arsenal of the German
army is located. He has been on duty at
Washington, d. c., during the past four
years, and is so we'll pleased with the
United States that an extension of duty in
this country for another term of four
years would be acceptable. He came TO
San Francisco in July, and presumably
presented letters from the Secretary of War
and the Secretary of the Navy, as he was
received with special honors at Mare
Island and the Presidio. After the review
last Saturday, Captain Albrecht was en-
tertained at the residence of General Ora
ha WI ora ru IF no nff foft cd
at the post called during the afternoon to
pay their respects to the visitor.
General Schotield, commanding the
armies of the United States, will attain the
age of retirement within few days. 1t is
supposed that General Nelson A. Miles
will be appointed as his successor, but
President Cleveland has given the army
several surprises during his present adj
ministration and may have one more in
reserve. 1t has long been gossip in army
circles that General Miles, years ago, was
advanced beyond officers his senior in
years and rank and equally distinguished
for service in the field. This advancement
has been attributed TO the influence of the
Sherman family at Washington. 1t is
known that General Ruger was called
from Chicago to Washington recently for
conference with the War Department;
hence some officers fancy that he may be
named to succeed General Schofeld.
Captain Thomas H. Barry, First In
fantry, U. S. A., who gained so much
popularity in the National Guard of Cali
fornia three years ago as instructor and
inspector at Camp Columbus, Santa Cruz.
has been on duty at the War Department
for many months. He goes to Atlanta to
take charge of the department exhibit at
the exposition.
Captain George 8. Anderson, acting
superintendent of the Yellowstone Park,
has submitted an elaborate annual report
to the Interior Department concerning the
condition of the reservation. He says that
moose elk, deer and antelope are plenti-
full and increasing bears visit the hotel
nightly and are source of amusement
and entertainment to the guests"
The new star of the flag to represent
Utah will be on the right hand side of the
fourth line of the field.