Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-04-15
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
LOOKER-O ON in IOWA.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
For the Timcs-Reoubiican.

ty, and assuming tnat Iowa represents
tives used all of their influence to pass
the anti-army canteen bill, the follow
ing from William f. Curtis, of the
Record Herald, must be of interest to
this class of our Iowa citizens. 1t may
rot be out of place to mention that Mr.
Curtis comes under the head of conserv
alive writer's. He says:
ut would be a good thing if the ener
getic members of the Woman's CHRIS
;tian Temperance Union would appoint
committees to witness what occurs at
the various military posts turnout the
country on the next pay day. They VIII
then, perhaps. be convinced that the of
ficers of the army were wise in recon-
mending the retention OF the canteen.
There has neen only one pay day since
the canteen was abolished, but from the
reports already reccivedsat the war de-
1partment the change has caused con-
siderable decentralization among the
troops, and there has been an eStraordi-
nary Increase in the number Of arrests
fer drunkenness and digorder!y conduct.
There are two military posts in.
Washington, Fort Myer. across the Po-
tonac, near Arlington and the arsenal,
which stands on a point of land between
the two branches of the river III the
southern part of the city. Before the
canteen was established there We're
large groups of saloons and disreputabie
houses outside the reservations at the
entrances tolthe arsenal and Fort Myer.
When the canteens were opened ami the
soldiers had an attractive place of re-
sort where they could obtain pure beer
AT cost price. With games, newspapers.
and other diversions to oe-,
scupy their minds when they Were off
auty. the low dives entirely Disappeared.
Tho Keepers were compelled to close and
go elsewhere, because of lack of patron
age. Within n few days after the can-
teens We're closed they We're all re-
Opened with an increase OF numbers.
and appear to be doing an active ard
profitable business in the sale Of vile
whisky aud other liquors. AS attrac-
itions they have billiard and card tablcs
ard numerous dissolsite women who lie
In wait for the soldiers as they come
from the reservations, and entice them
ato the drinking places. The night after
the last pay day these places We're a
bedlam beyond the control Of the police.
Such disorder has not been seen for
several Years. The military authorities
have appealed TO the commissioners of
the district and the Keepers OF the sa-
ICONS near the arsenal have been warned
that their licenses wilt be forfeited ;,ii-
less better order is kept. bnt al Fort
Alver. being in the stateo OF Virginia, the
authorities are powArless.
The effect OF the abolition Of the
lcatteens is also shown BY the reduced
amount Of money deposited with the
Ipaymaster for afe-keeping after pay
day. AS ii rule nearly every soidicrelsft
llun depesit with him a liberal PROPORTION
Tor his pay TO be placed in the savi.sss
bank At the last pay day scarcely ANY
money was 50 deposited.
The object Of the Woman.s Ihsis-
Titan Temperance Union in securing tfe
abolition of the canteen was to pro
p1ets temperance end morality aronl
1.-THE soldiers, and tits due to themselves
as we'll as TO the army that they make /
careful investigation into the results .!
1.-The experiment.
In Harlan. Shelby county. a canvass
was recently made IN regard tc TIE pos
sible candidate for governor. OF tne
| business men around the square ard I'D.
ljacent streets. out of over a hundret
straw votes, only three were opposed Il
| MIR. Cummins.
How many readers haze stopped Il
think that when county tax III favor
/ Of a nav railroad is voted that all 81
the railroads in operation in that coun.