Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-11-27
Expresses Great SoIicitude Re-
'gardug Pension Matters,
WOULD REORGANlzE MILITIA
RECOMMENDS That Merritt, Brooke
And Ous sIe Placed on Retired List
As lieutenant Generals,

Root, secretary Of war. today submitted
to the President his annual report Of
the operations Of his department start
INK from the mastering out Of the vol.
upteers ut San Francisco, In the first
months Of 1901, the secretary says
Special care was taken to'secure full
descriptive lists and thorough medi-
cal examination, with a view to aid In
the settlement of future applications
for pensions. The commanding general
of the department reported that the
muster-out was quiet, orderly and with
out Incident. Ninety-seyen per cent of
tile men mustered out proceeded with
out delay to their respective homes
ADJUSTMENT OF CANTEEN.
The secretary says, "The provisions
Of section IS OF the act Of February g
1901, prohibiting the sale Of or dealing
In beer wine or any intoxicating liquors
by any person In any post exchange, or
canteen, or army transport or upon
any premises used for military pur-
poses by the United States have been
carried into full force and effect, pur-
suant to the directions of the statute.
EFFECT OF LAW.
when the orders were issued for the
enforcement OF this section Of the law,
the commanding officers OF the various
posts and military organizations We're
directed TO report upon lis effects. A
great body OF reports has been received
which indicate that the effect Of the
law is unfortunate. | think, however
that sufficient time has not elapsed to
give the law a fair trial, and the OBJ
servation and report of It's working viii
be continued during the ensuing year
HEALTH OF TROOPS GOOD
"The reports show that the food and
clothing furnished TO the army during
the year have been satisfactory; that
the health OF our troops has been good
and the death rate low. The death rate
per thousand OF troops In the United
states during the past year was 1914;
In cuba, S.7z; In Porto Rico, 1850, and
Philippines aud China II was reduced
from 1881 during the previous year, to
1916 during the past year
The ocean transport service has con-
tlnued to be inadequate and inefficient.
The return Of the volunteer force from
the Philippines In the limited period al
lowed between the time when they
were required for active operations in
the early part " 1901, and the 3Oth of
June In that year. was accomplished
without accident, confusion or delay,
and was a very creditable performance.
ATLANTIC SERVICE DIsCoNTIN-
UED. d
Notwithstanding the faithful and
jealous service Of the officers of the
quartermasters department In charge
of government transportation, became
satisfied that with the reduction Of
forces and consequent reduction of
business In cuba and Porto Rico, the
business could be done more economi-
cally by private lines, and the depart
ment was not justified In longer main
tanning a separate transport fleet on
the Atlantic. The Atlantic transport
service was accordingly discontinued on
the SOth of June last.
PACIFIC SERVICE.
1T is not practicable now to dis
continue the transport service upon the
Pacific but ! do not think II desirable
that the United States should own and
operate a fleet Of passenger and freight
vessels In time of peace, 1t would be
gratifying II the American merchant
marine could furnish vessels to trans
port our men and supplies as part of a
regular commerce between the United
States and the Philippines, under con-
tracts which would enable the govern
ment, In case of war to put the vessels
under the control of regular officers
Of the army or navy for transport pur-
poses upon reasonable compensation
1t is desirable that authority be given
by Congress to make such contracts,
IN case opportunities for an arrange
ment should be afforded In the future.
Most OF our transports were
bought from foreign owners and, upon
being sold would necessarily come
again under a foreign flag, II will
make great difference In the prices
which can be obtained II an American
register can he granted to these ships
| ask that this be authorized by Con-
gress. There would seem TO be no OBJ
lection on any public ground to grant
Ing an American register to a ship
which has been for years flying the
American flag as public vessel Of the
United States, and when the money
value OF the privilege will go into the
public treasury"
HAZING AT WEST POINT.
After mentioning the progress made
I'm coast defense plans for Porto Rico
and Hawaii, the secretary calls atten-
tion TO the steps taken 20 eradicate
hazing from the military academy y
West Point. and to the recommends
ton of the board Of visitors Of that
institution that new buildings be pro-
vided. OF the militia laws the report
says.
MILITIA LAWS.