The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-22
A SERIOUS PROBLEM.
Thinks New Method Is the Only
Effective One.
Will Urge Congress to Pass a
One Mile Law.

Sidney G. Cook, a member of the
board of managers OF the National
Soldiers home Of the United States, is
in the city today. Mr.. oCok is a banker
at Herington and his visit to Topeka
was of a purely business character He
also called on Governor Stanley.
Mr.. Cook expressed himself as well
pleased with the method of procedure
adopted to drive the joints from the
KIondike near the Soldiers home at
Ieavenworth. Governor Rowland re-
Gently issued orders that no one should
be allowed TO patrOniZe the joints VINO
live in the home and the orders nave
been rigidly enforced. Mr.. Cook says.
MANY of the men who are in the home
are men who were brought up IN Europe
where beer drinking was taught them,
while others became addicted to the
habit after leaving their homes Whca
young and before their characters were
formed. And the men have passed on
down through life drinking more or less
until it is almost impossible for them
to get along without their liquor
Some Of the men drink nothing, IN
fac- the majority do not drink but there
are great many who drink temperate
IS and some who drink to excess It has
heen that class Of men who frequent1
the Klondike saloons and supported
them with their pension money.
There are now ABOUT 200 men in TIE
home and 100000 are distributed quar-
terly. 1t is this fact that accounts for
the building Up Of the Klondilse- The
old men were enticed to the resorts
where there were all kinds of devices for
getting their money. And if any were
wise enough TO get out Of the dives with
a little money man would bob UP from
behind some corner with a club or
sandbag and get the rest
The state undertook to close the
Joints. Governor Stanley made an hon
est and able effort to do it. And many
IF ri o1Tf al
ed up again and the evil went on.
THE results for the state to proceed
with new prosecutions are not COM
mensurate with the outlay. In my Opln-
ion the joints cannot be closed as long
as there is a state prohibitory law. Gov
ernOr Stanley is entitled to great credit
for the attempts he has made at closing
the joints and can only say that
am sorry that the efforts have not been
more effective and lasting.
THE plan of ordering the inmates of
the home to desiSt was adopted about
three weeks ago and has resulted in a
most effective method of closing the
joints-taking away their source of rev
enue. The home is a military institution
supported by national appropriations
and the men are necessarily under mill
tary- discipline. By issuing commands
FOR the men to keep within bounds il
seems that a solution of the problem has
beea arrived at The men are now not
allowed south of Lansing nor north OF
the Black Ridge in Leavenworth. It Is
assumed that if a man has money to
squander in such resorts he is able to
support himself, and this fact Is being
impressed upon their minds. Ninety
nine out of every hundred of the inmates
are now loyalty supporting the order
and helping to again establish the good
reputation OF the Kansas Soldiers home
The small number Of dissolute men are
being made to understand that they VIII
home.
Il regard the fight as over-as won
said Mr.. Cook.
Mr.. Cook has just returned from
Washington where he has been in the
interests Of a bill which will probably
come up at this session of congress to
restrict the issuance Of government Ii
eenseS to sell liquors within one mile of
the National Soldiers homes
Mr.. Cook has had a measure along
these lines in mind for several years and
comes back from Washington feeling
conhdent that 1t viii be passed substan-
tally as he proposed. Speaking of the
theater he says.
The new theater at the home has
oeen completed at a cost of $4,000 and
VIII be formally opened Christmas night
The theater is modern plav house
WITH seating capacity for 1900 per-
sons. 1t has only two floors. The stage
IS large enough to accommodate any
road company The money for the cor
strueticn was derived from the post
fund, fund made up of the profits Of
the beer that is sold by the government
the profit Of the store and the profits
from the various entertainments which
are given. On the average two shows
each week viii be given and paid for
from this fund The inmates will have
the opportunity of witnessing the var
tous shows free Of charge"
How to Cure Croup.