Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-27
Gamblers and DiIsoluts Women Pocket the
Pay Of sOldisrL
ARMY TRIALS TWICE AS NUMEROUS
Increase In Number Of Dessrtiops Partiou-
lsrly Noticeable.
WATER SUPPLY CAUSES SOME CONCERN
Controversy Between Authorities of
Cheyenne and Fort Russell Requires
that the Government Act or
Abandon the Post.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 2s,-Brigadier Gen
era1 Frederick Funston, in his annual re-
port for the Department Of Colorado, points
out that the percentage of trials by court
martial Of enlisted men has nearly doubled
during the past year. He says:
'It is therefore plain that there has been
q deplorable increase of offenses In gen.
eral and Of desertion In particular. In my
opinion there are two principal causes for
this state Of affairs-hrst. resentment OF
accustomed limitations and restrictions
felt by men coming from field service to
the monotony and routine work OF the
garrison: second, the abolition Of the can
teen feature OF the post exchange. Since
this action was taken saloons Of the low
est type have been established just out
side the boundaries Of the various rcser-
vations their proprietors In almost every
case unprincipled scoundrels who leave
nothing undone to debauch the soldiers
and obtain their money. Being In all cases
outside the limits of any city the proprie-
tors of these resorts are subject to no
municipal police regulations and sell nq-
uor regardless Of hours and whether the
buyer is already intoxicated or not. Gam
bling is universal in these dives and they
are frequented by dissolute women. The
soldier whose desire for q drink would or
dinarily be satisfied by a few glasses CT
beer in the canteen of the post exchange
goes to one of these resorts and does well
n he escapes before he has spent or gam
hlsd away all his money, overstayed his
Leave or engaged in an alteration.
Local Authorities Indifferent.
~As a rule the local authorities regard
the existence Of these places with indif-
ference or approval. as 1t causes the soldier
TO spend his money In the community. The
efficiency of the army or the ruin Of good
soldier Is nothing to them. There can be
no reasonable doubt that most Of the trials
by oourt-martial and summary courts. at
least so far as this department 10 con-
cerned, are directly traceable to this cause.
Since / have had command here there has
taken place the ruin and degradation of
several non-commissioned officers Of long
service and fine record. In short, the re-
cent legislation by congress on this question.
80 far as this department Is concerned, has
had no effect, except to lower the discipline
Of the army. ruin scores Of good soldiers
and hll the pockets Of a lot Of saloon keep
ers. gamblers and prostitutes"
The water supply at a number Of posts
IN the Department OF the Colorado, the re-
port says, has caused considerable concern.
General Funston says the controversy be-
tween the city Of Cheyenne, Wyo., and the
authorities and Fort d. A. Russell regard
ing certain water rights has reached a
stage which renders It necessary for the
governments rights to be ascertained OF
the post abandoned.
Would Abandon Fort Grant.
Considerable trouble has been had at Fort
Grant, AriE., on account OF the water sup
ply. On account Of the establishment Of
other forts and the completion of the rail-
road to the San Carlos agency, Genera
Funston recommends that Fort Grant b
abandoned. Regarding the proposed con-
struction OF a post at Albuquerque. N. NJ.
General Funston recommends that board
be appointed to visit that point and alsC
Las Vegas and Santa Fe, and observe thu
question Of water supply. climate. ETC.. be
fore action Is taken. Las Vegas will do
nate 10000 acres near a limitless wate
supply The inspector general reports tha
the barracks. ETC.. are not generally in
good condition.